Record champion continues to be unbeaten
© Imago
Pregnant Fenerbahce was unable to reduce the gap to arch-rivals and leaders Galatasaray in the intercontinental derby. Under the direction of the Slovenian FIFA referee Slavko Vincic, invited because of the big discussion in Turkey for the performance of the domestic referees this season, the two Istanbul clubs separated goallessly on Monday evening.
Fenerbahce and coach José Mourinho remain six points behind the defending champion trained by Okan Buruk after 24 match days. The latter said after the final whistle according to “Gazetefutbol.de”: “The combat power was very high for both teams. We knew that Fenerbahce would leave us the ball. We didn’t put the opponent into a clear position, apart from the edge of the field. Of course we could have produced more (opportunities; editor’s note), but we were far below our expectations when it comes to the offensive production. Our six-point advantage continues. Nothing has been won yet, but you can say that our lead is now seven points. ”
In the Süper Lig, the goal difference does not decide when tied, but the direct comparison, Galatasaray won it after the 3-1 in the first leg in September. Buruks team also remains unbeaten in the league with the tie. The title win would be the 25th in the club history.
In the derby there were also numerous players known from the Bundesliga. Buruk started in the starting eleven on Roland Sallai, who was committed in September and changed Ahmed Kutucu and Kaan Ayhan brought in winter shortly before the end. Kerem Demirbay, on the other hand, sat on the bench for 90 minutes. Captain Edin Dzeko, Filip Kostić and Çağlar Söyüncü started at Fener, Cenk Tosun had to watch throughout the game.
The performance of Referee Vincic said Mourinho, who was rarely reserved in referee criticism: “It was a very good game. The reason for this was the very good performance of the referee. He was honest enough. We have an 18-year-old player who will make Turkish football a good name, but she (the opposing bank) tried from the first minute to get a card. But the referee very well managed the game in this environment, which we can call a jungle. ”