Sports writers evaluate the Beşiktaş - Fenerbahçe derby: A historic margin was missed

In the 15th week of the Süper Lig, Beşiktaş was defeated 3-1 at home by its arch-rival Fenerbahçe.

In the match played at Tüpraş Stadium, Fenerbahçe's goals were scored by Dzeko, Tadic, and Szymanski, while Beşiktaş's only goal came from Chamberlain.

Sports writers commented on the breathtaking derby.

GÜNTEKİN ONAY: COACH RIZA COULD NEITHER ATTACK NOR DEFEND

If they had asked İsmail Kartal before the match, “Who would you not want to play for Beşiktaş?”, he probably would have said Aboubakar. Coach Rıza fielded an 11 entirely for the purpose of taking precautions against Fenerbahçe. He could neither attack nor defend... Beşiktaş does not play at home with this mentality. Why Necip in the midfield? To add toughness to that area. Did he add it? No. He constantly lost his position. But did Necip do his best? He put everything he had into it with good intentions, but there are many players in Beşiktaş who do not know the value of the jersey and do not fulfill the requirements of professionalism.

Okay, you fell apart in defense, but could Beşiktaş attack with these choices and this squad? No. Why Muleka? It is unbelievable, but he stays on the pitch for 80 minutes. The chosen 11 was meant to fight. However, there is a reality called quality. What makes big teams big is player quality and star footballers. Yet, Tadic, Szymanski, Dzeko, and Ferdi made a difference with their quality. (HÜRRİYET)

UĞUR MELEKE: GREY MEN IN BLACK-AND-WHITE JERSEYS

Around 5 PM yesterday, the summary of Beşiktaş was briefly as follows: The health of half the team is uncertain. The positions of the other half are ambiguous! Rosier, Masuaku, Rashica, Tayyip, and Emrecan are injured. There were many rumors about Colley's health status; at 6 o'clock, we saw that he was not in the squad. There were similar rumors about Aboubakar; he started on the bench. Ghezzal has recovered, but he lacks match fitness. Bailly is in the starting 11, but you cannot predict how many minutes he will stay on the pitch or how much of a mess he will make. The positions of Necip, Onur, Tayfur, and Bahtiyar are always uncertain. Muleka will start, but on the wing. The club's colors are black and white, but I honestly cannot remember a Beşiktaş squad with so many grey players together in 30 years! 

Fenerbahçe produced an expected goals (xG) value close to 4. They left Dolmabahçe with a 20-to-4 advantage in shots, 6-to-1 in corners, and a 3-1 lead on the scoreboard. If İrfan and Fred had been a little more careful, it would have been easy for them to increase the score. (HÜRRİYET)

ATTİLA GÖKÇE: WHAT IF MERT HADN'T BEEN THERE? THE ANSWER IS YOURS

The derby, which was awaited with curiosity and excitement, began with colorful scenes. From the beginning of the match, the notable aspect of the game was that Beşiktaş could not use the ball it won by pressing its opponent in a way worthy of transition play, and lost it again.

We watched a match that showed how necessary VAR interventions are for the sake of the system. Meanwhile, one must also appreciate Mert, who saved at least twice as many goals as he conceded for Beşiktaş. The question is: What if Mert hadn't been there? The answer is yours.

Fenerbahçe used the wings better. Tadic's assist for Dzeko's goal and Ferdi's name being written into the start of attacks that would threaten Onur with the balls he intercepted in defense were among the features that made the visiting team stand out.

The quartet of Fred-Szymanski-Tadic-Dzeko in Fenerbahçe produced 3 goals without being affected by the derby excitement. Fred's shots, Szymanski's move that won the penalty, and the Tadic-Dzeko cooperation were making a difference.

Yesterday's match revealed the reality with a dramatic picture for Beşiktaş. The opposing team played with the energy of chasing a target and won. But Beşiktaş, just like in the Conference League, breaks away from the game, falls apart, and dissolves after a certain minute. Afterwards, a helplessness of surrender settles over the team. There is also no leader-character player in the team to turn this tide around. (MİLLİYET)

GÜRCAN BİLGİÇ: A HISTORIC MARGIN WAS MISSED

Fenerbahçe could have left the pitch with a historic margin. Not only did they not let their opponent reach their goal, but they also finished the match with almost no player missing a goal. They missed a penalty, a ball hit the post, and there were saves by Mert Günok. We are talking about 20 shots, three goals, and 40 touches in the opponent's penalty area. It was Dzeko's most efficient match; he played as if there was no opponent against İrfan Can Kahveci. Crespo dominated the midfield single-handedly. İsmail Kartal prepared his team for the match incredibly well. He was never in a hurry, remained calm, and waited for the right moment to come. They won a derby after a one-season hiatus. They knocked Beşiktaş out of the race and healed the wounds of the Trabzonspor defeat. The Fenerbahçe fans reunited around the team again and moved away from their worries. They turned the key to the championship once again. (SABAH)