Galatasaray Hosts Beşiktaş in Thrilling Derby Showdown with Surprising Lineups from Okan Buruk and Sergen Yalçın

Galatasaray and Beşiktaş Set for Historic Duel in Turkish Football

Legendary Coaches Face Off in Season’s First Derby

In a highly anticipated clash, Galatasaray’s Okan Buruk and Beşiktaş’s Sergen Yalçın, two iconic figures in Turkish football, will face each other as coaches for the first time. Both coaches have left indelible marks on their respective clubs, not only as players but also as leaders on the sidelines. Okan Buruk, 51, and Sergen Yalçın, 52, who often competed against one another during their playing days, share the unique distinction of achieving championship glory as both players and coaches for their teams.

Championship Records: Buruk vs. Yalçın

Okan Buruk boasts an impressive record with seven championships as a player and three as a coach with Galatasaray. In contrast, Sergen Yalçın has claimed four league titles as a player and secured one as a coach with Beşiktaş. Although the two have faced off nine times previously as head coaches, this derby marks their first showdown with Galatasaray and Beşiktaş, respectively. So far, Yalçın holds a slight edge with a 4-3 record in these encounters, with two matches ending in draws. His teams have netted 16 goals against Buruk’s teams, which have scored 12.

Recent Derby Performances of Galatasaray and Beşiktaş

Since Okan Buruk took the helm at Galatasaray, the team has secured four wins and two losses in league derbies against Beşiktaş. During Sergen Yalçın’s initial tenure at Beşiktaş, he recorded two victories, one loss, and one draw against the archrival. Historically, only two coaches have achieved more victories over Beşiktaş while at Galatasaray than Buruk, namely Fatih Terim with ten wins and Gündüz Kılıç with five. However, Beşiktaş is the only team to have defeated Galatasaray twice during Buruk’s current tenure.

Debut Derby for 20 Players

The upcoming derby will be a momentous occasion for 20 players experiencing their first Galatasaray-Beşiktaş match. Galatasaray newcomers include Uğurcan, Singo, Sane, İlkay, Metehan, Jacobs, and Yusuf Demir, who may debut against Beşiktaş. Meanwhile, Beşiktaş could field debutants Jurasek, Abraham, Orkun, Ndidi, Taylan, Toure, Djalo, Cerny, Cengiz, Gökhan, Jota Silva, and youth talents Devrim Şahin and Kartal Kayra Yılmaz.

Goal-scoring Battle of Icardi and Silva

Mauro Icardi of Galatasaray and Rafa Silva of Beşiktaş are locked in a fierce competition atop the goal-scoring charts, each netting five goals this season. Onuachu leads with six goals. Icardi has scored five times in six matches against Beşiktaş, including five in the Super Lig and one in the Super Cup. Silva has found the back of the net twice against Galatasaray in three appearances.

Goalkeeper Stats: Uğurcan Çakır vs. Mert Günok

• Uğurcan Çakır: The national goalkeeper for Galatasaray has faced Beşiktaş 14 times in the league, recording five wins, six draws, and three losses. He has kept two clean sheets but conceded 19 goals.
• Mert Günok: Beşiktaş’s experienced keeper has been on the field in 12 matches against Galatasaray with four different teams, securing three wins, two draws, and suffering seven losses. He’s allowed 18 goals and maintained clean sheets in two encounters.

Beşiktaş’s Struggle at Galatasaray’s Venue

Beşiktaş is eager to end a winless streak spanning their last eight league outings at Galatasaray. The Black Eagles last celebrated an away victory against Galatasaray in the 2016-17 season with a narrow 1-0 result. Since then, they have endured seven losses and one draw in away derbies.

Galatasaray’s Dominance in Istanbul Derbies

Since Okan Buruk’s appointment in 2022/23, Galatasaray leads with 31 wins, six draws, and just three losses in league matches against other Istanbul teams, amassing a total of 99 points.

Early Goal Threats in the Super Lig

Beşiktaş ranks among the top sides for early strikes, having scored three goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season in the Super Lig, matching Fenerbahçe’s output. Recent fierce entanglements between Galatasaray and Beşiktaş have seen four red cards issued across the last four matches.