On March 23, 2025, Beşiktaş faced İstanbulspor in a vital preparation match held at the Ümraniye Nevzat Demir Tesisleri. The match commenced at 13:00, and it was streamed live on Beşiktaş's YouTube channel, allowing fans to witness the action from afar. This encounter was particularly significant for Beşiktaş as they sought to regain their confidence following two consecutive losses in the Trendyol Süper Lig. With the upcoming derby against their fierce rivals Galatasaray looming, the black-and-white team aimed to improve their form and rhythm.
Beşiktaş has had a challenging season, accumulating a total of 44 points from 26 matches, which places them in fourth place. Their record includes 12 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses. The recent setbacks against Gaziantep FK and Konyaspor added an urgency to today's fixture, prompting head coach and players to emphasize the importance of this friendly to prepare for the more significant challenges ahead.
The match also marked a special debut for Elan Ricardo, the player who joined Beşiktaş during the mid-season transfer window for a fee of 1 million 940 thousand euros from Equidad. This was Ricardo’s first match in the Beşiktaş jersey, and fans were eager to see how he would perform on the field. Information from
duhuliye.com
noted, "Beşiktaş'ın ara transfer döneminde kadrosuna kattığı Elan Ricardo, siyah-beyazlı formayla ilk maçına İstanbulspor karşısında çıktı." The anticipation surrounding his debut added another layer of excitement to an already thrilling match.
The lineups for the two teams showcased some key players, with Beşiktaş including Ersin, Onur, Tayyip Talha, Paulista, Amir, Salih, Alex, Elan Ricardo, Rafa Silva, Joao Mario, and Immobile. On the other side, İstanbulspor featured Is’a Doğan, Duhaney, Okan, Fatih, Yusuf, Kerem, İsa, Şeref, Djilan, Cham, and Emir. The strategic choices made by the coaches indicated that both teams were keen on utilizing this match to test their squad depth and tactical setups.
In the early stages of the match, Beşiktaş demonstrated attacking intent, with a promising play unfolding in the 19th minute, where a collaboration between Onur Bulut and Immobile almost led to a goal, but was thwarted by İstanbulspor's solid defense. Unfortunately, the game took a turn in the 35th minute when Chamberlain suffered an injury and had to be substituted by Poyraz Gelen. This incident added tension to the game as both teams adjusted to the new dynamics on the field.
Beşiktaş's president, Serdal Adalı, was present at the match, closely monitoring the squad’s performance from the sidelines. His support and presence were crucial, especially given the circumstances surrounding the team's current form. As reported by
Fanatik.com.tr
, "Serdal Adalı, takımı yalnız bırakmadı. Adalı, İstanbulspor maçını saha kenarında takip etti." This kind of support from leadership often boosts team morale, especially during tough periods.
As the match progressed, both teams fought hard, but Beşiktaş seemed determined to shake off their past disappointments and regain a sense of momentum. They needed this win, not just for the sake of the scoreline but to restore confidence within the squad as they head into crucial fixtures in the league.
With the final whistle, Beşiktaş concluded the match with much-needed experience under their belt. The focus now shifts back to the competitive atmosphere of the Trendyol Süper Lig, where they will face Galatasaray in a closely watched derby clash. For İstanbulspor, this match serves as preparation as they set sights on their upcoming league games, including a tough away match against Adanaspor.
This preparation match proved to be more than just a friendly; with valuable insights and performances that both coaches will reflect upon as they strategize for the weeks ahead. The journey continues for both teams in their respective leagues, with hopes high for better results in the competitive environment of Turkish football.
