Başakşehir achieved an unprecedented fourth placed finish this season but were criticised for playing anti-football under head coach Abdullah Avcı.

The former Turkish national team manager has however, slammed his critics for not understanding modern football.

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Avcı described his sides style of playing as being no different to that of Premier League champions Chelsea.

“In Turkey they do not understand from compact football they think it means being defensive,” Avcı told Milliyet in an interview with Levent Kalkan.

“This is where we are at world football right now being able to keep a compact side and attack with precision when in possession of the ball is what we are trying to achieve. 

“Chelsea are one of the best examples of teams playing effective compact football.”

The 51-year-old coach managed to guide Başakşehir to European football for the first time in the clubs history.

Başakşehir kept 16 clean sheets this season and had the best defensive record in the league.

Avcı’s side conceded the fewest goals in the league. The Istanbul minnows have only let in 30 league in total this season.