İsmail Kartal: I give my players comfort and freedom

Fenerbahçe defeated Hatayspor 4-2 in their home match during the 9th week of the Trendyol Super League. Following the match, Fenerbahçe Manager İsmail Kartal made statements at a press conference. 

''I AM HAPPY THAT WE WON''

Kartal stated, “We worked very well with the players who remained during the international break. We analyzed Hatayspor well with those who returned from their national teams. We did not think they would play with a different system, but when the team sheet arrived, we said, ‘they are going to play strongly.’ We are constantly working because we are accustomed to every kind of system, no matter which one we encounter. The first half started well. When Volkan Hoca started with a 5-man defense, we immediately went 2-0 up. In the second half, we talked to the players about continuing to play our own game, not losing our seriousness, and that we should be able to score 4 or 5 goals if we can. We didn't start the second half well due to complacency; we conceded a goal and they missed one. We found our balance with the final goal. The second half started to go back and forth. We conceded another goal, but in the end, I am happy that we won today. I congratulate my players. I wish success to Hatayspor and my brother Volkan Demirel,” he said.

''HE HAS DEFICIENCIES HE NEEDS TO CORRECT''

Regarding Bright Osayi-Samuel's performance, İsmail Kartal assessed, “Bright has deficiencies. He is not the Bright I wanted. I had a long meeting with him yesterday. I specifically banned them from playing games until the early hours of the morning. He gave me his word; he said, ‘I will be better from now on.’ He has deficiencies he needs to correct; if he corrects them, he will be a first-class player.”

''THERE ARE PLAYERS I WANT TO BRING UP TO THE TEAM LEVEL''

When asked about the condition of Livakovic, who suffered a minor injury during the match, and regarding Zajc's performance, Kartal said, “I haven't received any report from the doctor. I don't think it's anything very bad. Zajc did not have a training camp. He has had a pubis injury since last year. He is constantly going to the national team. He cannot train regularly and cannot fully achieve his physical development. 13-14 players go to the national team. Even if we want to improve the performance of some players, we cannot reach the level we want because they go to the national team. There are also players I want to bring up to the team level with special training sessions,” he said.

''I DO NOT PUT THE PLAYERS UNDER PRESSURE THAT WOULD CAUSE STRESS''

Stating that they did not do any specific work to prevent stress due to the winning streak, İsmail Kartal assessed, “We did not do any work regarding stress. I just analyze every match with my players in training; each one has a different story. We prepared for Hatayspor with 2-3 types of tactics. The players understand this and fulfill their duties. I give them comfort and freedom. There can be different changes during the game. The players enjoy these. I do not put the players under pressure that would cause stress at the facilities. I leave them comfortable. We do these things through conversation and discipline.”

TOUCHED ON THE SUPER CUP

Regarding the Super Cup being played in Saudi Arabia on December 30, he said, “Foreigners have a New Year's holiday. Having this match on that date might not be welcomed very positively by the foreigners. But this is the decision made by the Turkish Football Federation. We are not in a position to change this decision. We will play; it is not a problem for us.”