Opposites clash in Beşiktaş vs Galatasaray football derby

ISTANBUL

Beşiktaş and Galatasaray have made starkly different starts to the season. Beşiktaş is on a four-match perfect start to the Super League, while Galatasaray is on four-match run without a win. AA photos

High-flying Beşiktaş hosts troubled Galatasaray in the first big Istanbul derby of the Spor Toto Super League season on Sept. 22.

The Black Eagles are on a league-high four-match winning streak and looking down on other teams in the competition after four matchdays. Galatasaray, on the other hand, desperately needs to up its form.

The Lions suffered a dismal 6-1 rout at the hands of Real Madrid in the Champions League in the midweek. The defeat, Galatasaray’s worst European loss in four decades, came after three league draws, and added to the defending champions’ winning drought.

Terim was unusually apologetic after the Real Madrid game and took the blame completely.
“It’s a heavy defeat, I apologize to the supporters,” Terim said.

Terim did not put the blame solely on one player but even though he shouldered the responsibility, he urged the players to step up. “Sometimes players need to show some character on the pitch,” he said, in a wake-up call to his team.

Wake-up call

After Terim, who has won a national-record six titles with Galatasaray, took over the vacant Turkish national football team coaching job last month, many Galatasaray fans were concerned that only half of his time would be allocated to the two-time defending champions. It was obvious that the issue would be brought up in the first slump, and the first slump lasted a little longer than most fans could take. Consecutive draws against Bursaspor, Eskişehirspor and Antalyaspor preceded the disastrous 6-1, and Terim’s double job duties came percolating to the surface.

Board member Adnan Nas reportedly criticized Terim, saying, “Maybe he should coach Fenerbahçe as well, he should give them some time, too.” Club spokesman Şükrü Ergün criticized Nas’ statement, saying that it was “irresponsible” and “unfortunate.” The Lions’ president Ünal Aysal showed his support for the coach, but many critics believe Terim’s throne could be shaken with another defeat against Beşiktaş.

On the opposite side, Beşiktaş is having a great start to the season. Coach Slaven Bilic and football director Önder Özen’s decisions have proved to be well-made and the club’s new signings blended well with the old players.

Beşiktaş is playing its games at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium of Kasımpaşa this season due to the renovation project at its İnönü Stadium. For the derby at the Olympic Stadium, Beşiktaş is expecting some 70,000 fans this weekend.

The game starts at 7 p.m.

Çaykur Rizespor will meet Bursaspor earlier on at 5 p.m.

On Sept. 21, Eskişehirspor plays against Antalyaspor and Fenerbahçe will face Sanica Boru Elazığspor. At 6 p.m. Sivasspor takes on Kasımpaşa and Torku Konyaspor hosts Gençlerbirliği.

The round will be wrapped up with the Kayserispor vs. Trabzonspor game on Sept. 23.