Galatasaray maintained its iron grip on the Süper Lig title race this week, securing a decisive 3-0 victory over Rizespor to remain three points clear at the summit of the standings after 21 matches.
The defending champion showed no signs of slowing down on Feb. 8, comfortably handling its road trip.
The victory brings Galatasaray to 52 points, keeping the pressure on cross-town rival Fenerbahçe, which stayed within striking distance with a 3-1 win over Gençlerbirliği at home on the night of Feb. 9.
Trabzonspor, meanwhile, solidified its hold on third place with a dominant 3-0 win at Samsunspor on Feb. 6, moving to 45 points and remaining the primary challenger to the Istanbul giants.
"Winning in a tough away match, in a difficult stadium, against a challenging opponent is important and valuable,” Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk said after the Rizespor match.
“My players deserve to be congratulated for their performance. Everyone, those who started, those who came on as substitutes and those who finished the game, tried to do their absolute best,” he added.
The league leader relied on the immediate impact of winter signing Noa Lang, who provided two assists. Also, Sacha Boey made his return to the pitch in a Galatasaray kit for the first time in over two years, appearing as a 75th-minute substitute.
Buruk said he was happy with the new-look squad.
“The transfer window has closed, we now have new arrivals as well as players returning from injury,” he said.
“Today, for the first time in a long while, I experienced a day where I had to think long and hard about which player to sub in. From my perspective, this is pleasing on one hand; yet on the other, it brings the psychological challenges of a coach who feels the weight of not being able to give playing time to the players I couldn't put on the pitch," he added.
In Istanbul, Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored twice in the first half as Fenerbahçe cruised to a 3-1 victory over Gençlerbirliği in a match highlighted by the much-anticipated debut of French star N’Golo Kante.
Kante started in midfield and played 62 minutes before being replaced by İsmail Yüksek, showing flashes of the tireless ball-winning ability that made him a global icon.
"It wasn’t easy for Kante, given it was his first match,” Fenerbahçe coach Dominico Tedesco told a post-match press conference.
“I’m pleased he’s gotten that first game under his belt. He was patient, defended well, and carried out his duties in a very disciplined manner," he added.
The German coach said next week’s match at third-placed Trabzonspor will be tough.
“There are actually three teams in the title race, we will play against a very strong team,” he said.
"Every match is very difficult and we are fully aware of this. We must continue on our path with total focus," he added.
