Galatasaray triumphed 3-1 over Fenerbahçe, ending the latter’s impressive 32-match unbeaten streak in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday night.
This match marked José Mourinho’s debut as Fenerbahçe’s coach in the Istanbul derby, resulting in a bitter defeat for the Portuguese manager.
Galatasaray took control early, with an own goal by Fenerbahçe’s Dominik Livaković in the 20th minute. Dries Mertens added another in the 28th minute, giving Galatasaray a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Gabriel Davi Gomes score Galatasaray’s third goal in the 59th minute. Although Fenerbahçe managed to pull one back with Edin Džeko’s penalty in the 63rd minute, it was too late to change the outcome.
Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen made a standout contribution with a world-class assist in the 28th minute. While he didn’t score, Osimhen’s overall play was pivotal in the victory, showcasing his ability to impact the game beyond just scoring.
Osimhen, who joined on loan from Napoli, also provided an assist in his debut match against Çaykur Rizespor last week.
The victory solidified Galatasaray’s position at the top of the Super Lig table, while Fenerbahçe’s hopes of winning the derby were dashed, despite Mourinho’s tactical efforts. Mourinho will likely reflect on his team’s defensive issues and aim for a stronger performance in upcoming fixtures.
The 25-year-old Nigeria international had a total of four shots at goal, with one on target.
Ahead of the derby, Mourinho had stirred controversy by suggesting that Osimhen is prone to diving. “I don’t have problems with Victor,” Mourinho told HT Spor. “In fact, we have a very good relationship. But every time I play against him, I tell him I don’t like his behaviour—he dives too much.”
Mourinho added, “I told him, ‘You’re one of the two best African players, alongside Mohamed Salah. In the past, we had Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, George Weah. You can’t behave like this. You dive too much. That’s my issue with you.’”
Regarding discipline, Galatasaray received six yellow cards as they fought to contain Fenerbahçe’s attacks, adding a physical edge to their performance, while the home team received one.
This fixture highlighted Galatasaray’s ability to withstand pressure and capitalize on key moments, like Osimhen’s crucial assist.
