Beşiktaş crushed Galatasaray in dramatic Istanbul derby
We said it earlier in the week. After three straight losses to Besiktas, the single game came as made for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Archrival Galatasaray, unbeaten in the Süper Lig. Like a cup final, where it boils on the grass and in the stands.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Beşiktaş picked up a very important victory as they beat city rivals Galatasaray 2-1 in an intense Super Lig match at Vodafone Park.
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“I’m proud of Besiktas. I’m proud of the team. The players played for themselves, for their families, and for the Besiktas fans today,” Solskjaer told beIN Sports.
Prior to this game, Beşiktaş had struggled with two straight league losses, as well as a disappointing 1-3 loss to İstanbulspor in a friendly match. But this win gives new hope and lifts the team back to 4th place in the table.
Highlights from the match at Tüpraş Stadyumu :
- Rafa Silva put Beşiktaş in the lead after 23 minutes.
- Przemysław Frankowski (Galatasaray) received a red card after a nasty tackle on Ernest Muçi.
- Just before half-time, Lucas Torreira equalised for Galatasaray.
- Gedson Fernandes secured the win for Beşiktaş with his goal 24 minutes before the end.
- Semih Kılıçsoy (Beşiktaş) also received a red card in overtime after a hard tackle on Davinson Sánchez.
Turkish press about the match:
- Fotomaç: “Solskjaer’s Beşiktaş took revenge against Galatasaray! Rafa and Gedson secured an important victory in the great Istanbul War.”
- Sözcü: “Galatasaray collapsed at Vodafone Park – Beşiktaş wins with 10 men!”
- Sabah: “Beşiktaş gives Galatasaray a taste – now the league match is really underway!”
- Fanatics: “Solskjaer showed character – Beşiktaş escapes crisis with a big win.”
Table situation after the win:
- Galatasaray are still at the top, but now with only six points down to Fenerbahçe.
- Beşiktaş climbed to 4th place and is only four points clear of Samsunspor in 3rd place.
Next challenge:
Beşiktaş will face Göztepe in the Turkish Cup quarterfinals on Thursday. Can Solskjaer lead the team to another triumph?
With a win over unbeaten Galatasaray, who had super striker Victor Osimhen on the pitch (20 goals in 23 league games), Solskjaer has shown the Besiktas supporters they can look forward to next season.
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