Pressure, Politics and Recovery: The Big Three Enter Week 7

Week 7 of the Turkish Süper Lig arrives with plenty of subplots surrounding the league’s three giants. Galatasaray continue their perfect domestic run but face mounting pressure after their Champions League struggles. Fenerbahçe are navigating a new political era under freshly elected president Saadettin Saran while dealing with on-field setbacks both at home and in Europe. Beşiktaş, meanwhile, finally produced a convincing display in midweek but remain under scrutiny as Sergen Yalçın’s second spell seeks stability.

Galatasaray – Perfection, but Under Pressure

Galatasaray’s dominance in the Süper Lig continues — six wins from six matches have placed them firmly on top of the table with 18 points, six ahead of their nearest rivals Göztepe and Fenerbahçe. However, results alone haven’t silenced doubts. The 3–1 win against Konyaspor in Week 6 came after the bitter disappointment of the Frankfurt defeat in Europe, and supporters remain unconvinced.

With Liverpool visiting Istanbul in the Champions League soon, fans are demanding not just victories but also convincing performances. For many, the Süper Lig run is no longer enough — this squad, built with heavy investment, is expected to deliver on the continental stage. The Alanyaspor trip this weekend will be viewed as another step in their recovery, but the real test looms on European nights.

Fenerbahçe – Politics Meets the Pitch

After years of Ali Koç at the helm, Fenerbahçe entered a new era last week as Saadettin Saran won the presidency. Yet, the change in leadership coincided with a rocky spell on the pitch. On the day of the election, Fenerbahçe dropped points domestically, and just days later, Tedesco’s men fell 3–1 to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.

Tedesco’s decisions — especially how he used Nelson Semedo and Marco Asensio — have been sharply criticized. Some fans are already calling for his dismissal, while others adopt a wait-and-see approach given his short time in charge. Still, the mood is restless. With 12 points from six games, Fenerbahçe sit 3rd in the table, but the six-point gap to Galatasaray feels like a mountain this early in the season. The upcoming home match against Antalyaspor could set the tone for how much patience supporters will extend to both the new board and their coach.

Beşiktaş – A Statement Win, but Questions Remain

Beşiktaş’s second era under Sergen Yalçın hasn’t started smoothly, but the midweek rescheduled fixture at Kayserispor provided relief. A resounding 4–0 victory — highlighted by a hat-trick from fan favorite Rafa Silva and a goal from the often-criticized Tammy Abraham — lifted spirits. The win pushed Beşiktaş to 9 points from 5 matches, placing them 9th in the standings.

Perhaps the biggest surprise came from the coach’s faith in youth: 18-year-old Devrim Şahin, promoted from the academy, started on the left wing and played an hour. While his numbers (23 touches, 50% passing accuracy, one shot on target) weren’t extraordinary, the decision symbolized Yalçın’s willingness to inject fresh blood. Still, supporters remain unconvinced that one emphatic victory erases weeks of frustration. Monday’s home clash against Kocaelispor will be another test of whether this was a turning point or a false dawn.

  Week 7 Fixture (26–29 September 2025)

Date	Time	Home	Away
Fri, Sep 26	20:00	Alanyaspor	Galatasaray
Sat, Sep 27	17:00	Gaziantep FK	Samsunspor
Sat, Sep 27	17:00	Eyüpspor	Göztepe
Sat, Sep 27	20:00	Karagümrük	Trabzonspor
Sun, Sep 28	17:00	Konyaspor	Başakşehir
Sun, Sep 28	17:00	Rizespor	Kasımpaşa
Sun, Sep 28	20:00	Kayserispor	Gençlerbirliği
Sun, Sep 28	20:00	Fenerbahçe	Antalyaspor
Mon, Sep 29	20:00	Beşiktaş	Kocaelispor