In a thrilling encounter at the Fatih Terim Stadium, Fenerbahçe secured a convincing 4-1 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir in the 35th week of the Trendyol Süper Lig on May 9, 2025. The win marked a significant boost for Fenerbahçe, pushing their points tally to 78, keeping them in the race for the league title as they aim to close the gap with the leaders.
The match started with high intensity, and Başakşehir had an early opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute. Krzysztof Piatek stepped up to take the spot-kick after a foul on Leo Duarte, but Fenerbahçe's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic showcased his skills by saving the penalty, keeping the score level.
Fenerbahçe took control of the game after that crucial moment. The breakthrough came just before halftime when Mert Müldür found the back of the net in the 44th minute. Following a clever pass from İsmail Yüksek, Müldür chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper Muhammed, giving Fenerbahçe a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
In the second half, Fenerbahçe continued to dominate. Milan Skriniar doubled the lead in the 60th minute, scoring from a corner kick situation. After some chaos in the box, Skriniar managed to find space and put the ball into the net, making it 2-0.
As the match progressed, Fenerbahçe's confidence grew. Youssef En Nesyri added a third goal in the 87th minute, heading in from a cross, which seemed to seal the game for the visitors at 3-0. However, Başakşehir managed to pull one back in the 90+1st minute when Ömer Faruk Beyaz volleyed home, reducing the deficit to 3-1.
But Fenerbahçe wasn't done yet. Just minutes later, in the 90+4th minute, Oğuz Aydın scored the final goal of the match, assisted by İrfan Can Kahveci, ensuring a comprehensive 4-1 victory for the Yellow Canaries.
This result not only boosts Fenerbahçe’s morale but also keeps them firmly in the title race, now just five points behind the league leaders with a game in hand. The loss leaves Başakşehir with 51 points, as they look to regroup in their upcoming fixtures.
Fenerbahçe’s head coach José Mourinho made several changes to the starting lineup compared to their last match against Beşiktaş, with six players swapped out. Notably, Sofyan Amrabat returned to the squad after a four-match absence due to injury, while key players Allan Saint-Maximin and Mert Hakan Yandaş remained sidelined.
Despite the strong performance from Fenerbahçe, the match was not without its challenges. The team faced a few tense moments, especially after missing the early penalty. However, Livakovic’s save proved to be a turning point in the match, allowing Fenerbahçe to build momentum.
As the season heads into its final stretch, Fenerbahçe will be looking to maintain their form. They are set to face Eyüpspor at home on May 18, 2025, where they will aim to capitalize on this momentum and further close the gap at the top of the table.
In contrast, Başakşehir will look to bounce back quickly as they prepare to face Kasımpaşa away. The team needs to address their defensive frailties, particularly after conceding four goals in this match.
Overall, this match showcased Fenerbahçe's attacking prowess and resilience, while Başakşehir will need to regroup and refocus as the league season approaches its climax.
