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Chaotic Istanbul Derby: 10-Man Galatasaray Hold Beşiktaş to Tense Draw in Critical Süper Lig ‘Besiktas-Maci’ By BBC Sport Staff, Istanbul Beşiktaş were left frustrated after being held to a chaotic 1-1 draw by fierce city rivals Galatasaray in a pivotal Turkish Süper Lig ‘besiktas-maci’ (Beşiktaş match) this past weekend. The contest, held at Rams Park, was defined by flashpoints, a critical red card, and a defensive error that ultimately denied the Black Eagles a much-needed victory against the reigning champions. The result maintains Galatasaray’s unbeaten league run but leaves Beşiktaş in a precarious mid-table position, fueling further debate over their consistency and title credentials this season. The atmosphere, as expected in one of football’s most fervent fixtures, was electrifying, but the intensity quickly spilled onto the pitch. Beşiktaş delivered an excellent tactical start, capitalising on their early momentum when English striker Tammy Abraham secured the opening goal in the 12th minute. Abraham, netting his ninth goal of the campaign, finished smartly after a rapid counter-attack that caught the home side’s defence flat-footed. The early goal was a statement of intent from the visitors, who had travelled across the Bosphorus seeking a morale-boosting win. The match dynamics shifted dramatically just past the half-hour mark. Galatasaray defender Davinson Sánchez was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Beşiktaş winger Václav Černý.
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The decision, while controversial among the home support, was upheld by VAR and forced Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk to recalibrate his side to play with ten men for the remainder of the fixture. The dismissal appeared to hand the advantage decisively to Beşiktaş, who failed to leverage their numerical superiority effectively for the full 90 minutes. Despite the one-man deficit, the turning point arrived ten minutes into the second half through a lapse in concentration from the Beşiktaş midfield. Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi, generally praised for his composed defensive work since arriving in Istanbul, was dispossessed deep in his own half by Lucas Torreira. The Uruguayan midfielder immediately fed İlkay Gündoğan, who made no mistake, drilling the ball past Beşiktaş goalkeeper Mert Günok to level the score at 1-1. The equaliser visibly rattled the Beşiktaş camp, sparking further chaos on the pitch. A tense confrontation ensued shortly after between Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen and Beşiktaş defender Emirhan Topçu following a strong tackle, forcing the referee to issue bookings to both players to regain control. The incident underscored the emotional strain and high stakes of the derby, where a point gained or lost can define a season’s mood. Former Turkish international and pundit Rıdvan Dilmen suggested the result was a missed opportunity for Beşiktaş, who could have sent a powerful message to their rivals.
“When you have a man advantage in the Istanbul derby for that long, you must be clinical,” Dilmen told state broadcaster TRT Sport. “The error that led to the equaliser was costly, yes, but the deeper failure was the lack of strategic threat Beşiktaş posed after the red card. Galatasaray showed resilience; Beşiktaş showed doubt. ” Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk praised his side’s grit, highlighting their collective fight after the dismissal. “I’m proud of my players’ fight,” Buruk said in the post-match press conference. “Ten men against eleven for an hour is a monumental task, especially in a match of this magnitude. The fight they put up was crucial in protecting our unbeaten record. ” For Beşiktaş, the draw adds to a narrative of inconsistency that has plagued their early season. While the arrival of high-profile players and the recent managerial shifts were aimed at propelling the Black Eagles back to the summit of the Süper Lig, results have remained patchy.
The club parted ways with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last month following a disappointing run in European competition, and while the team showed signs of renewed tactical discipline in the derby's first half, the failure to secure the win raises fresh questions about the side’s ability to sustain a title challenge. The point means Galatasaray remain narrowly ahead at the top of the table, though the gap to the chasing pack has tightened. Beşiktaş, meanwhile, sits in fifth place, already several points adrift of the leaders. Their focus now shifts to consolidating their position and building momentum in the domestic league before the winter break. The next critical challenge for Beşiktaş is their upcoming home fixture against Gençlerbirliği. Coach Halim Okta, currently overseeing technical matters, must quickly address the lapses in concentration that allowed Galatasaray back into the match. The Black Eagles are under intense pressure from their supporters, the Çarşı group, to translate the talent within their squad into consistent league performances. This crucial 'besiktas-maci' outcome ensures the drama of the Süper Lig title race remains wide open, but Beşiktaş must find a way to convert hard-earned positions into decisive victories if they hope to challenge for major honours this season.
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