Fenerbahçe 3-1 Gaziantep FK

In the 3rd minute, Fenerbahçe scored their fastest league goal of the season, courtesy of Oğuz Aydın. Gaziantep FK equalized in the 41st minute through Okereke. In the 78th minute, Becao‘s header put Fenerbahçe ahead once again, and in the 89th minute, Dzeko sealed the win with another goal for the home team.

In the 90+4th minute, the referee awarded a penalty to Fenerbahçe after Fred was brought down, but following a VAR review, the decision was overturned.

CAPITALIZING ON GALATASARAY’S SLIP-UP

Fenerbahçe took advantage of their title rival Galatasaray‘s point drop by winning their match, narrowing the gap at the top of the table.

Fenerbahçe now has 32 points, while leaders Galatasaray remain on 35 points at the summit.

Next up, Fenerbahçe will face Beşiktaş in an important derby.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• 3rd Minute: Fenerbahçe took the lead after Maxim’s mistake on the left side of Gaziantep FK’s half. En-Nesyri intercepted the ball and passed it to Oğuz Aydın, who slotted it past goalkeeper Dioudis: 1-0.
• 8th Minute: Tadic’s through ball found En-Nesyri behind the defense, but his shot from a tight angle narrowly missed the target.
• 41st Minute: Gaziantep FK equalized. Ndiaye’s cross into the penalty area found David Okereke, who controlled the ball after Samet Akaydın’s failed header and struck the ball into the net: 1-1.
• 45+7th Minute: Bruno Viana’s header from Maxim’s corner narrowly missed the target.
• 57th Minute: Saint-Maximin’s shot was saved by Dioudis and then denied by the post.
• 78th Minute: Rodrigo Becao’s header from Tadic’s corner restored Fenerbahçe’s lead: 2-1.
• 89th Minute: Edin Dzeko scored to make it 3-1.
• 90+4th Minute: The referee initially awarded a penalty when Fred was fouled but overturned the decision after a VAR review.

LINEUPS

Fenerbahçe: Livakovic, Osayi-Samuel, Samet Akaydın, Becao, Kostic, İsmail, Fred, Tadic, İrfan Can, Oğuz Aydın, En-Nesyri

Gaziantep FK: Dioudis, Arda, Lungoyi, Sorescu, Kodro, Ndiaye, Mbakata, Ogün, Bruno Viana, Maxim, Okereke

FIVE PLAYERS ABSENT

Fenerbahçe was missing five players against Gaziantep FK.

Jayden Oosterwolde, who has been out long-term, along with Çağlar Söyüncü and Mert Hakan Yandaş, who are still undergoing treatment, were unavailable. Additionally, Cengiz Ünder and Bartuğ Elmaz were left out of the squad due to technical decisions.

AMRABAT AND SZYMANSKI ON THE BENCH

Sofyan Amrabat and Sebastian Szymanski started the match on the bench. Mourinho, who had excluded the two players from the squad against Slavia Prague due to stomach infections, named them as substitutes this time.

TADIC AS A NUMBER 10

Fenerbahçe’s experienced player Dusan Tadic started in the number 10 role against Gaziantep FK. Usually deployed on the right wing this season, Tadic played as an attacking midfielder for the first time.

İRFAN CAN RETURNS AFTER FIVE MATCHES

Fenerbahçe’s Turkish international İrfan Can Kahveci returned to the starting lineup after five games. The 29-year-old midfielder last started on October 27 against Bodrum FK in Week 10. He missed the Az Alkmaar and Sivasspor matches due to injury and was a substitute in the Slavia Prague game. He returned to the starting XI after 38 days.

RESTING DJIKU FOR THE DERBY

Fenerbahçe coach Jose Mourinho chose not to risk Alexander Djiku ahead of the Beşiktaş derby. Djiku, who entered the match with three yellow cards, faced suspension if booked again. Mourinho started Rodrigo Becao instead.

OĞUZ STARTS AT HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME

Fenerbahçe’s young winger Oğuz Aydın started at home for the first time this season. The 24-year-old, who joined the team at the beginning of the season, had not previously been in the starting XI in Kadıköy. After his standout performance in last week’s match against Kayserispor, where he scored two goals and provided an assist, Mourinho rewarded Oğuz with a start in front of the home fans.