Super Lig Weekly: Salah Makes Debut as Galatasaray & Fenerbahce Drop Points, Besiktas Win
The Super Lig has kicked off with excitement as Mohamed Salah made his much-anticipated debut for Trabzonspor, despite a challenging opening weekend where three of the four title contenders stumbled, leaving Besiktas as the sole team to secure three points.
Galatasaray began their quest for a historic fifth consecutive Super Lig title against newly-promoted Corum but encountered difficulties. The match ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen stepping up to salvage a point for the champions after they had fallen behind. Osimhen opened the scoring, but Corum responded with a stunning long-range effort from Alexandros Kyziridis before Osimhen’s late equalizer. This performance sparked dissatisfaction among Galatasaray supporters, who continue to voice concerns over the team’s lack of transfer activity.
Trabzonspor’s match followed the next day, featuring Salah on the bench as they faced Kasimpasa, missing key players due to injuries. The team struggled, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Noah Saviolo scored for Trabzon before a questionable penalty awarded to the home side allowed Adrian Benedyczak to equalize. Salah’s second-half appearance brought some positive moments, indicating his potential once fully acclimated to the squad.
Fenerbahce had a chance to capitalize on their rivals’ missteps but instead suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat against Genclerbirligi, a team expected to battle relegation. The loss was made more enigmatic by manager Ismail Kartal’s choice to bench several key players in anticipation of a Champions League qualification match against Lyon. Despite taking an early lead through Anderson Talisca, the team faltered due to defensive lapses resulting in two goals for Genclerbirligi, showcasing the need for Fenerbahce to address mental resilience early in the season to avoid extending their title drought.
In stark contrast, Besiktas claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Eyupspor with Vaclav Cerny’s decisive goal, while Junior Olaitan displayed his ability to provide impactful assists. Although they have not been prolific in front of goal, the team’s organized defense under new manager Vincenzo Italiano is a promising sign, as they have yet to concede in five competitive matches, including Europa League qualifiers.
Meanwhile, newly-promoted Amedspor triumphed over fellow newcomers Erzurumspor with a solid 3-0 win, raising hopes for a strong season after significant investments in new talent. Samsunspor and Goztepe engaged in a thrilling 3-3 draw, with a late equalizer emphasizing the competitive spirit in the league, despite ongoing concerns regarding officiating standards.
The initial matches of the Super Lig highlight the unpredictability and competitive nature of Turkish football this season, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating race for the title.
