Fenerbahçe’s 2023 Report!
Fenerbahçe concluded the year 2023 as the leader of the Turkish Super League. Additionally, Fenerbahçe ended a 10-year drought in 2023.
As Fenerbahçe wrapped up 2023 with one trophy, the Turkish Super Cup, originally scheduled for the end of the year, was postponed. The yellow and navy team finished the 2022-2023 season in the Super League at the 2nd position with 25 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, accumulating 80 points. Fenerbahçe, the most scoring team of the season, scored 87 goals while conceding 42.
Participation in 57 matches in 2023
Fenerbahçe played a total of 57 matches in 2023 across the Super League, Ziraat Turkey Cup, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League. The team secured 44 victories, suffered 7 defeats, and ended 6 matches in a draw.
Finishing the year at the top
In the 17th week of the Super League, Fenerbahçe collected 44 points with 14 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. The team scored 44 goals and conceded 14. Fenerbahçe, leading Galatasaray with goal difference, finished the year at the top of the league, being the most scoring team.
Winning the Turkish Cup after 10 years
Starting in the 5th round of the Ziraat Turkish Cup in the 2022-2023 season, Fenerbahçe eliminated Istanbulspor and progressed to host Çaykur Rizespor in the Round of 16, defeating them 2-1. After eliminating Kayserispor in the quarter-finals, Fenerbahçe secured a place in the final by overcoming Sivasspor in the semi-finals (0-0, 3-0). In the final held in Izmir, Fenerbahçe defeated Başakşehir 2-0, winning the cup. This victory marked the end of a 10-year drought in the Turkish Cup for Fenerbahçe, concluding the season with a trophy.
Ismail Kartal returns
Fenerbahçe worked with two head coaches in 2023. Jorge Jesus, who was in charge last season, parted ways with the team at the end of the season. İsmail Kartal, who coached Fenerbahçe in the 2014-2015 and 2021-2022 (second half of the league) seasons, returned as the new head coach by signing a contract. Starting the season with a 19-match winning streak, the experienced coach led Fenerbahçe to the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League and contributed to reaching the Round of 16.
UEFA Europa League exit in the Round of 16
After topping their group in the UEFA Europa League 2022-2023 season, Fenerbahçe faced Spanish team Sevilla in the Round of 16. Losing 2-0 in the away match, Fenerbahçe won the return leg 1-0 but was eliminated due to a score disadvantage.
Reaching the Round of 16 in the Europa Conference League
Finishing second in the league and starting their European journey from the UEFA Europa Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round, Fenerbahçe eliminated three teams to reach the group stage. Winning all 6 matches in the qualifying rounds, Fenerbahçe secured leadership in the group stage with 4 wins and 2 losses, advancing directly to the Round of 16. The opponent for Fenerbahçe in this stage will be determined after the draw on February 23, 2024, and the matches will be played on March 7-14.
Producing the top scorer after 12 years
Fenerbahçe’s Ecuadorian forward, Enner Valencia, became the top scorer of the 2022-2023 season with 29 goals. Valencia secured the goal-scoring title by scoring 29 goals in 31 league matches, making Fenerbahçe produce a top scorer after 12 years. Valencia surpassed Alex de Souza‘s record from the 2010-2011 season, claiming the title of ‘Foreign Player with the Most Goals in a Single Season’ for Fenerbahçe and equaling Aykut Kocaman’s record for ‘Most Goals in a Single Super League Season by a Fenerbahçe Player.’
Best start record
Starting the 2023-2024 season with a revamped squad, Fenerbahçe won all 10 matches in the league, breaking its own record for the best start to a season.
21-match winning streak
Defeating Gaziantep FK in the last league match of the previous season and winning against Başakşehir in the Turkish Cup final, Fenerbahçe continued its winning streak into the new season. Winning the first 10 matches of the Super League, Fenerbahçe emerged victorious in all 19 matches during this period, scoring 58 goals, conceding 10, and keeping 11 clean sheets.
16 players transferred
In January, Fenerbahçe strengthened its squad with 2 local and 3 international players, and at the end of the season, it underwent changes in the squad. During the summer transfer window, a total of 13 players were signed, including 4 Turks and 9 foreigners. Acquiring stars like Edin Dzeko and Dusan Tadic on free transfers, Fenerbahçe paid the highest transfer fee, 15 million Euros, for Cengiz Ünder.
Player sales record
Earning approximately 56 million Euros from player sales, Fenerbahçe achieved its highest figure during the summer transfer window. Arda Güler, who attracted the attention of global giants with his performances last season, transferred to Real Madrid for a fee of 20 million Euros. The transfers of Attila Szalai, Bruma, Diego Rossi, and Altay Bayındır were the ones that brought the highest transfer fees to Fenerbahçe.