In a thrilling encounter on May 9, 2025, Fenerbahçe faced off against Rams Başakşehir in the 35th week of the Trendyol Süper Lig at the Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium. With both teams vying for crucial points, the match promised to be an exciting showdown.
Fenerbahçe, currently sitting second in the league with 75 points from 32 matches, came into this match looking to bounce back after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Beşiktaş in their previous outing. The yellow-navy team has been formidable on the road this season, having lost only once and remaining unbeaten in their last eight away matches.
On the other hand, Rams Başakşehir, positioned fifth with 51 points, aimed to secure a victory to bolster their hopes of finishing in the top four. The home side had been in excellent form, winning five of their last six matches, including a recent 4-2 triumph over Hatayspor.
As the match kicked off at 20:00 local time, the atmosphere was electric, with fans eagerly anticipating what was at stake. Fenerbahçe's lineup featured key players including Livakovic, Skriniar, Tadic, and Dzeko, while Sofyan Amrabat made his return to the starting eleven for the first time since April 6, 2025.
Both teams started cautiously, with Fenerbahçe looking to control possession while Başakşehir aimed to capitalize on any defensive lapses. In the 11th minute, Ivan Brnic of Başakşehir had a promising shot that was expertly saved by Fenerbahçe's goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic.
As the first half progressed, tensions began to rise. In the 18th minute, a corner kick taken by Brnic led to a chaotic moment in the box, where Krzysztof Piatek's header was saved by Livakovic, and Leo Duarte was brought down by Amrabat, resulting in a penalty being awarded to Başakşehir.
However, the drama intensified when Piatek stepped up to take the penalty in the 20th minute. Livakovic showcased his skills once again by saving the shot, keeping the score level at 0-0. The missed opportunity proved pivotal as Fenerbahçe began to find their rhythm.
Fenerbahçe took the lead just before halftime in the 44th minute when Mert Müldür scored, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. The goal came from a well-executed play where Müldür capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot the ball past Başakşehir's goalkeeper, Muhammed Şengezer.
As the first half concluded, tensions flared between Fenerbahçe's Tadic and Talisca, indicating the high stakes of the match. The halftime whistle blew with Fenerbahçe leading 1-0, and the second half promised more excitement.
In the second half, Fenerbahçe continued to apply pressure and doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Skriniar scored, making it 2-0. The goal further solidified Fenerbahçe's dominance as they looked to secure all three points.
Despite being two goals down, Başakşehir did not give up easily. They pushed forward in search of a way back into the match, but Fenerbahçe's defense, led by Skriniar and Diego Carlos, held firm. Livakovic remained a standout performer, making crucial saves to deny Başakşehir any chance of scoring.
As the match wore on, Amrabat found himself in trouble after a foul led to a yellow card, resulting in his suspension for future matches. This added another layer of pressure on Fenerbahçe as they sought to maintain their lead.
With time ticking away, Başakşehir's attempts to mount a comeback were thwarted by Fenerbahçe's resolute defense. The home side struggled to find their rhythm, and the visitors capitalized on their opportunities to secure a vital victory.
Fenerbahçe's head coach, Jose Mourinho, had emphasized the importance of this match in his pre-game remarks, stating, "We have four matches left, and we will finish second. Regardless of the points, we need to honor the Fenerbahçe badge and give our maximum performance for our suffering fans." His players certainly responded to his call, demonstrating resilience and determination throughout the match.
As the final whistle blew, Fenerbahçe emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, marking their seventh consecutive win against Başakşehir. The result not only boosted Fenerbahçe's confidence but also kept their hopes alive for a strong finish to the season.
With this win, Fenerbahçe maintains their position in the league and continues to chase their goal of closing the gap on the league leaders, Galatasaray. Meanwhile, Başakşehir will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back in their next match.
Overall, this match was a testament to Fenerbahçe's strength and determination as they look to finish the season strongly. Fans can look forward to the remaining fixtures as the excitement of the Süper Lig continues to unfold.
