Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediyespor match review

By: j | August 31st, 2008

In a guarded performance, Fenerbahçe defeated Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediyespor 2-0 on the strength of second-half goals by Turkish internationals, Kâzım Kâzım (Colin Kazim-Richards) and Semih Şentürk.

The first forty five minutes would definitely have Yellow Canary supporters concerned as it they lacked the mettle to overcome cross-town Büyüksehir Belediyespor even though the visitors played a man down from the thirtieth minute when Metin Depe was shown the red-card. Fenerbahçe had a few opportunities to score but let me stress just a few and far below their extraordinary potential. Repeating what I have said before, it seems like the club isn’t following a cohesive tactical approach. Truthfully and this seems peculiar to me given the pedigree on the pitch, they appear to be lacking confidence. I’m not sure else how to put it but this club needs to go on the attack with confidence and not to worry of failure.

Two minutes after the break the match was effectively decided with Serhat Gülpınar was shown his second yellow and the noble Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediyespor club were now playing two man down. Seeing a welcome opportunity to attack, Fenerbahçe pushed forward wisely. Finally at the fifty-first minute Claudio Maldonado hit a streaking Kâzım Kâzım with a perfect pass, who then fired from a sublime goal the left channel to the inside post. Attacking waves continued although finishing lacked until Daniel Güiza headed a pass to Semih Şentürk who sent it into the net ten minutes after the first goal. With the score now at 2-0, the visitors were in a horrible disadvantage throwing attackers forward and the overwhelming amount of scoring opportunities were Fenerbahçe. However the problem of finishing continued and the score end 2 - nil for the home squad.

Summarily, Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediyespor played magnificently and are deserving of enormous respect for their inspired performance. With the international break Luis Aragonés will need to use this timely wisely to understand the clubs weakness and plot a course to play to their potential. While I am naturally pleased with a victory, two goals to a nine-man squad, that should be easily be defeated normally, does not leave me in a celebratory mood. This is a superb club that needs confidence, continued massive support of fans and time on the pitch together.

Match Details
Fenerbahçe: Volkan Demirel, Gökhan Gönül (Önder MIN. 68), Lugano, Yasin, Roberto Carlos, Kâzım Kâzım (Burak Yılmaz MIN. 81), Maldonado, Alex, Uğur Boral, Semih Şentürk, Daniel Güiza
İSTANBUL BÜYÜKŞEHİR BELEDİYESPOR: Hasagiç, Metin, Efe, Okan (Mahmut MIN. 34), Tjikuzu (Zeki MIN. 80), İlyas (Erman MIN. 58), Kerim, Ekrem, Alper, Cesario, Serhat