Team of the Week 13: Basaksehir keep 9th clean sheet
Volkan Babacan – Başakşehir: Only Manuel Neur has conceded fewer goals than Babacan this season. The Turkish international keeper has only let in five goals this league campaign and was at his usual best against Balıkesirspor keeping his nine clean sheet in 13 games.
Atınç Nukan – Beşiktaş: Towering in a 1.96m, the 21-year-old defender put on a performance so impressive that Slaven Bilic told reporters after the game he had shelved looking for a centre-back this January as he had discovered one better than everyone on his shortlist. Atınç won all eight aerial duals he was involved in, made 11 clearances and completed 49 passes at an 81 percent accuracy.
Aurelian Chedjou – Galatasaray: The Lions have really struggled in defence this season and conceded four goals in a single game for the fifth time against Arsenal in their final Champions League game. Chedjou has been Galatasaray’s rock in a defence that has been more chalk than granite of late. The Cameroon international put on a solid performance in the Lions 5-0 win against Konyaspor.
Alexandru Epureanu – Başakşehir: One of the pillars of the best performing defensive unit in the Süper Lig, Epureanu worked hard to prevent Balıkesirspor getting a sniff on goal and helped contribute towards his sides ninth clean sheet this season.
Oğuzhan Özyakup – Beşiktaş: The Turkish international has struggled to make the starting XI lately such is the competition in the Black Eagles midfield but he did not disappoint Slaven Bilic. Özyakup scored the decisive goal, securing the Turkish giants place at the top of the table.
Mehmet Ekici – Trabzonspor: Ekici was one of the standout players in Trabzonspor’s 3-2 win over rivals Rizespor. The former Bayern Munich youth player worked hard closing down the opposition and completed more tackles (6) and more interceptions (6) than any other player in the game. Ekici also pulled the strings in midfield, completing 51 passes and rarely putting a foot wrong (90 percent pass accuracy). The 24-year-old also completed more dribbles than any other player (3). A brilliant defensive, midfield and offensive performance from the Turkish international.
Sefa Yılmaz – Trabzonspor: Yılmaz bagged a brace for the Black Sea Storm and was a constant menace for Rizespor down the flanks.
Tunay Torun – Kasımpaşa: Torun worked tirelessly against Eskişehirspor and provided Andre Castro with the assist for the winning goal to get Kasımpaşa back to winning ways following last weeks heavy defeat.
Burak Yılmaz – Galatasaray: Yılmaz is a bit like Marmite, you either love him of hate him. The Turkish international divides opinion with some of his on the field antics but there is no doubting his work ethic. The prolific striker hounded down every ball and pounced on every mistake. Yılmaz scored a brace in the Lions 5-0 win over Konyaspor taking his overall tally to nine this season.
Moussa Sow – Fenerbahçe: Sow responded to his critics as any good striker should – with a brace. The Senegalese international struck twice in Fenerbahçe’s 4-1 win over Sivasspor taking his goal total to six in nine appearances this season.