In the 35th week of the Super Lig, Başakşehir hosted Fenerbahçe in a match that ended with a convincing 4-1 victory for the visitors. The match, officiated by referee Burak Pakkan, was marked by several contentious incidents that sparked debates among fans and analysts alike.
Fenerbahçe’s coach, Jose Mourinho, made six changes to his starting lineup compared to their previous clash against Beşiktaş, which included one enforced substitution due to Çağlar Söyüncü’s suspension. Key players such as Irfan Can Eğribayat and Bright Osayi-Samuel began on the bench. Mourinho’s lineup featured Dominik Livakovic in goal, with a defensive trio consisting of Diego Carlos, Milan Skriniar, and Sofyan Amrabat. The team deployed Mert Müldür and Filip Kostic on the flanks, while İsmail Yüksek and Fred Rodrigues anchored the midfield. Dusan Tadic operated behind strikers Anderson Talisca and Edin Dzeko.
The match featured moments of tension, particularly when Fenerbahçe’s Edin Dzeko was brought down in the box, with the yellow and blue players calling for a penalty. Despite appeals, referee Pakkan opted to play on after consulting VAR. Başakşehir also raised concerns about two separate incidents involving Diego Carlos and Anderson Talisca, where they believed second yellow cards should have been issued. The protests from Başakşehir were persistent but ultimately unsuccessful as the referee maintained his decisions.
The tension further escalated when Talisca was involved in another controversial play where Fenerbahçe players claimed a handball after a shot deflected off Opoku’s hand. Pakkan viewed the incident on the monitor but upheld his initial call, becoming the first referee this season to maintain his decision despite VAR intervention.
Following the controversies, Fenerbahçe extended their lead through Milan Skriniar, prompting a visible reaction from Mourinho towards the officiating. The coach gestured towards the VAR, indicating his dissatisfaction.
Overall, while ראשונה showed strong performance, the match underscored the complexities and challenges referees face, especially in high-stakes encounters. This game is a reminder of the passion football evokes and the ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of VAR in resolving contentious situations. Despite the outcome, it showcased the competitive spirit of Turkish football in the Super Lig.