Başakşehir manager Abdullah Avcı has been busy dispelling what he calls myths regarding his side being criticised for playing anti-football.
The Istanbul minnows qualified for Europe for the first time in the clubs history and finished the Süper Lig in an unprecedented fourth place position.
Avcı believes his side are misunderstood and that they actually try to press like Arsenal as well as Bayern Munich and Champions League winners Barcelona.
“Watch Arsenal, Bayern and Barcelona when they lose the ball they press as a team trying to win the ball back and we are the only side in the league that is so meticulous about reducing the amount of time our opposition players get on the ball,” Avcı told Milliyet in an interview with Mehmet Kalkan.
See More:
Basaksehir News
İstanbul Başakşehir secure their spot in the Europa League
(Picture) Basaksehir unveil giant tifo ahead of Fenerbahce game
The former Turkish national team manager also underlined that his side where one of the most effective attacking teams in the league.
“How do you think we came fourth? we were in the top four in terms of sides that entered the oppositions half and took the fifth highest number of shots on the opposition goal,” he added.
“We play compact football we won the most aerial duals won the most rebounds and I could give more statistics but what I am trying to say is we play a compact style and it is proving to be successful in Turkey.”
Başakşehir kept 16 clean sheets this season and had the best defensive record in the league conceding a grand total of only 30 league goals this season.
