Fenerbahçe faced ONVO Antalyaspor at the Ülker Stadium on March 2, 2025, as part of the 26th week of the Trendyol Süper Lig. The highly anticipated match kicked off at 20:30 and was broadcast live on beIN SPORTS 1.
The meeting between these two teams was particularly significant for Fenerbahçe, as they were determined to maintain their momentum in the league title race. The match brought excitement, especially as Fenerbahçe aimed to extend their unbeaten run under the management of Jose Mourinho, who watched from the stands due to suspension.
Fenerbahçe entered the match without three key players: Diego Carlos, Ismail Yüksek, and Levent Mercan, all ruled out due to injuries. On the other hand, Antalyaspor was without Jakub Kaluzinski, who faced suspension, along with several other players nursing long-term injuries.
The referee for the match was Mehmet Türkmen, assisted by Candaş Elbil and Bilal Gölen, with Ali Yılmaz serving as the fourth official.
The opening stages of the game saw Fenerbahçe quickly settle their dominance. By the ninth minute, Mert Müldür leaped high to head the ball from Szymanski's corner, making the score 1-0 for the home team. Cheers erupted from the stands as the yellow-blue supporters celebrated the early breakthrough.
Fenerbahçe's second goal soon followed, as Edin Dzeko played the role of playmaker. Receiving the ball near the edge of the penalty area, he cleverly crossed it to Tadic, whose deflected shot doubled the lead to 2-0 just 26 minutes played. This goal solidified Fenerbahçe's control and energized the crowd.
By the half-hour mark, the lead grew to 3-0. Dzeko's efforts paid off once again when Kostic's shot was parried by the Antalyaspor keeper, and Youssef En-Nesyri was on hand to slot home the rebound. The atmosphere was electric, and Fenerbahçe was well on their way to securing all three points.
Throughout the match, Antalyaspor struggled to find answers against Fenerbahçe's relentless attacking play. They fought hard to regain control but were met with solid defensive work from Fenerbahçe's backline, which included Skriniar and Çağlar Söyüncü, showing their experience and composure.
Antalyaspor manager Emre Belözoğlu attempted to adapt his tactics during the game, signaling to his players to tighten their formation and push forward. He was visibly frustrated by the lapses in his team's concentration but remained hopeful of finding opportunities to strike back.
The Fenerbahçe supporters not only fueled their team but also took the time to acknowledge Antalyaspor's coach with flowers before the match. Despite the tension on the pitch, this display of sportsmanship was well received and showcased the spirit of camaraderie between teams.
With the match nearing its end, both teams made player changes to counter tiredness and maintain tactical advantages. Fenerbahçe brought on fresh legs to maintain their energy, whereas Antalyaspor sought to capitalize on any mistakes the opposition could potentially make.
The final whistle concluded the match with Fenerbahçe triumphing over Antalyaspor with a decisive 3-0 victory. This win not only reinforced their standings within the league but solidified their position as direct title challengers.
Fenerbahçe's targeted objectives for the remainder of the season are more evident following this match, proving how imperative every point is as the league races on. Meanwhile, Antalyaspor has much to assess moving forward, especially with their current squad facing numerous challenges due to injuries and suspensions.
This encounter marks yet another chapter in the storied rivalry between the two clubs, as Fenerbahçe leads the all-time series with 38 victories against Antalyaspor's eight wins. The next few fixtures for both teams could prove pivotal as the Süper Lig approaches its climax.