By Mahmut Kecin
Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray under pressure in Süper Lig starts
A shock defeat for Fenerbahçe and Salah’s debut dominated Round 1 of the Turkish Süper Lig
The final words of the beIN SPORTS preview on the new Turkish Süper Lig season finished with these words: “Anyone who loves football knows that it is not the team that makes the most transfers, but the players that become the better team that wins the championship.”
Following the completion of the opening-week matches in Türkiye, it was the surprising results rather than the big-name stars that dominated the conversation because this is an arena where anyone can beat anyone, where no result is guaranteed, and where the team that fights harder often comes out on top.
Welcome to the Turkish Süper Lig
GALATASARAY SNATCH A POINT AT THE DEATH
Galatasaray, the reigning champions, hosted Çorum FK, who are competing in the Süper Lig for the first time in their history. After falling behind, the Yellow-Reds found the goal that earned them a point through Victor Osimhen in the 90th minute, securing a 2-2 draw.
As expected, this result did not please the Galatasaray supporters, whose team has won the championship in each of the last four seasons. However, Türkiye’s most successful club in terms of league titles will undoubtedly take important steps, particularly in the transfer market, to put things back on track.
SALAH MAKES A QUIET START
Trabzonspor, who completed the most sensational transfer of the summer, also began their season with a draw, finishing 1-1 away to Kasımpaşa.
Mohamed Salah started the match on the bench and came on in the 58th minute. Although he delivered an impressive performance, he couldn't inspire his team to victory.
The Egyptian star will play in Trabzon for the first time next week against Başakşehir, and there is already considerable curiosity about how he will perform in his new home.
FENERBAHÇE SUFFERS A SHOCK
Fenerbahçe, another Istanbul giant that entered the season with the title as its clear objective, also disappointed its supporters. The Yellow Canaries suffered a 2-1 away defeat to Gençlerbirliği, with their only consolation coming from Anderson Talisca, who continued his goalscoring form.
New signing Romelu Lukaku was not yet included in the squad. The Belgian striker is expected to make his first appearance in next week’s match against Konyaspor.
BEŞİKTAŞ START WITH A WIN
Beşiktaş opened their new season at their iconic stadium on the shores of the Bosphorus and became the only Istanbul giant to win on the opening weekend.
The Black Eagles started the season with a 1-0 victory thanks to Cerny’s only goal of the match in the 25th minute. New signing Leandro Trossard started in the first XI, while Dusan Vlahovic, who was not yet included in the squad, watched the match from the stands.
ANATOLIAN CLUBS REMIND EVERYONE OF THE RULE ONCE AGAIN
Çorum FK taking a point from Galatasaray, Kasımpaşa doing the same against Trabzonspor, and Gençlerbirliği taking all three points from Fenerbahçe in the opening week once again demonstrated just how seriously the Anatolian clubs must be taken.
Meanwhile, Rizespor produced the season’s first dramatic story by scoring in the 90+7th minute to defeat Konyaspor 1-0.
Samsunspor, who scored a brilliant 90th-minute goal to draw 3-3 with Göztepe, showed that they will not be easy to beat at home this season.
Gaziantep FK’s Deian Sorescu, who earned his team a point against Alanyaspor, also scored one of the finest goals of the week anywhere in Europe. Amedspor, one of the league’s two newly promoted teams, defeated Erzurumspor 3-0 in a match highlighted by Dia Saba’s outstanding performance.
As expected, the opening week of the Turkish Süper Lig delivered plenty of excitement, drama and surprises.
In a Süper Lig season shaped in particular by the never-say-die attitude of the Anatolian clubs, it has once again become clear that star players alone will not be enough.
Because a star player may win you a match, but a star team wins you the season.
