Turkey League Wrap 21: Deja Vu for Galatasaray & Basaksehir, Eto’o leads unstoppable Antalyaspor

Week 21 Turkey League Wrap 

The Turkish League Week 21 round of games was a case of deja vu for Galatasaray, Basaksehir and Fenerbahce who dropped points yet again while Besiktas recovered from their defeat against Karabukspor with a convincing victory over Akhisar.

Galatasaray had a pretty turbulent week which saw Jan Olde Riekerink replaced by former Juventus defender Igor Tudor. The Croatian manager made a few bold – or rather strange depending how you look at it – decisions going into the Caykur Rizespor clash. Star winger Bruma was dropped from the squad and suffice to say it did not quite work out as the Lions could only manage a disappointing 1-1 draw.

The Istanbul giants have now one just one of their last four league games. Galatasaray were actually leading following Lukas Podolski’s early goal until the 75th minute when Ozgur Cek equalised.

Basaksehir meanwhile were held to a goalless draw against last placed Gaziantepspor. The Istanbul based side have yet to score a goal in their last two league games but have been fortunate that their competition in the title race have also been dropping points.

Adebayor has yet to find his goalscoring boots just yet but another seasoned goal scoring veteran that goes by the name Samuel Eto’o simply can’t be stopped. The former Barcelona forward found the back of the net yet again to record the Scorpions 6th consecutive home victory. Antalyaspor recorded 33 points after 21 games in the top-flight for the first time in their history in the process.

Etoo yine sahneye çıktı Antalyaspor Karabük karşısında 1-0 öne geçti 82′ dakika da. İnanılmaz seriye devam edecek gibi Antalya.. pic.twitter.com/v3zmm1MOO2

— Canary (@EkpeFox) February 18, 2017

Fenerbahce’s week went from bad to worse over the course of the week. Just a few days after losing against Krasnador in the Europa League the Yellow Canaries were held to a goalless draw against Kasimpasa in the mini Istanbul derby. 

Besiktas responded to their humiliating defeat against Karaukspor with a 3-1 away win against Hapoel Beer-Sheva in the Europa League followed by a 3-1 win over Akhisar in the league. Cenk Tosun has been phenomenal this season and scored in both games taking his season talk to 18 in all competitions. The victory took the Black Eagles four points clear of second placed Basaksehir. The forward line of Tosun, Talisca, Quaresma and Ryan Babel have been unstoppable of late. Unless the Istanbul giants suffer an injury crisis it is difficult seeing anyone stop their march to a second consecutive league title. 

Whenever I watch Talisca I wonder how drunk the Benfica CEO must have been to let him leave… #Beşiktaş pic.twitter.com/g5aEwvZGcD

— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) February 19, 2017

Talking Points

Eto’o’s goals have won Antalyaspor 12 points this season, the prolific striker has now netted nine times in 18 league games. It seems with Eto’o form and class is permanent.

Basaksehir were scoring goals for fun and brought in additional firepower following the transfer of Emmanuel Adebayor. The Istanbul minnows have however, yet to score in the league since his transfer

Tudor’s first game in charge of Galatasaray was played on a snow-covered pitch which is pretty ironic considering his Juventus link – just remember back to the 2013-14 Champions League group stages.

Does this pitch look playable ? pic.twitter.com/rmUAWaYcrO

— John Bradley (@JBcommentator) December 11, 2013

Ricardo Quaresma has setup Cenk Tosun’s last five headed goals in the league.

It feels weird writing this… Cenk Tosun is a goal machine! #Beşiktaş take the lead thanks to yet another goal from Tosun Paşa pic.twitter.com/OWMugger9I

— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) February 19, 2017

Results 

Rizespor 1-1 Galatasaray

Basaksehir 0-0 Gaziantepspor

Antalyaspor 1-0 Karabukspor

Fenerbahce 0-0 Kasimpasa

Adanaspor 1-5 Osmanlispor

Genclerbirligi 2-0 Konyaspor

Kayserispor 2-0 Bursaspor