In the 37th week of the Süper Lig, Galatasaray hosted Fenerbahçe in the derby. Fenerbahçe defeated their arch-rival 1-0 in a match where they played with 10 men for 70 minutes, carrying their championship hopes into the final week.
After the match, Fenerbahçe manager İsmail Kartal made statements.
The Fenerbahçe manager said after the match: "We prepared well. Whether we were 11 or left with 10, the team fulfilled my requests to the letter. After we were reduced to 10 men, the game was still balanced. We didn't play as if we were shorthanded. Before the second half, I told the team, 'You will play for two, you will play in your teammate's place as well. Even if you are 10, I want you to fight as if you are 11.' The goal we scored was entirely from an organization we worked on. I congratulate my players from the bottom of my heart. A night that will not be forgotten for a long time took place here. We defeated Galatasaray, who had been unbeaten for 21 matches. Despite the efforts of social media trolls to destroy us, we always stood tall. We always fought. All of Turkey saw this."
STATEMENT FROM İSMAİL KARTAL REGARDING JOSE MOURINHO DEVELOPMENTS
Regarding the new manager talks, İsmail Kartal said: "I invite all our Fenerbahçe fans to the Istanbulspor match. Let them come to the championship match. I believe, we will be champions. They tried very hard to bring me down. From the inside and the outside. Finally, the manager news came out. I stood tall. They demoralized my players. Issues like agreeing with a coach before a derby do not suit Fenerbahçe. I leave them to God."
News Source: 12punto
