“After Sanchez Mina's header and Deniz Gül's blocked effort, Abdülkerim Bardakcı finished off a scramble to give Galatasaray the lead, assisted by Alexey Batrakov.”
Pivotal“Late yellow cards for Bardakcı and Roland Sallai added a tense edge to the closing stages as Kocaelispor pushed for a response.”
Galatasaray
Kocaelispor
Outstanding performance
Galatasaray•DefenderGalatasaray dominated territorially from the first whistle, out-shooting Kocaelispor 28-9 in shots on target alone and creating four big chances to their opponent's one, but wastefulness in front of goal - four big chances missed - kept the game level deep into the second half. An early goal from Deniz Gül was chalked off by VAR for a foul, setting the tone for a frustrating opening period for the hosts despite their control. The breakthrough finally came in the 71st minute when Abdülkerim Bardakcı pounced on a loose ball after Sanchez Mina's header and Deniz Gül's blocked shot, assisted by substitute Alexey Batrakov, to settle a match Galatasaray had dominated but couldn't finish cleanly. For Galatasaray, the win keeps their title credentials intact despite a laboured performance, while Kocaelispor's goalkeeper made eight saves in a battling display that ultimately wasn't enough to avoid defeat against a side pressing for continental and domestic ambitions.
How entertaining was this match?
Arda Ozyar attempts a header but misses the shot.
Chimuanya Ugochukwu takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Roland Sallai takes a right-footed shot, but it hits the post.
Metehan Altunbas comes on for Florian Aye.
Tayfur Bingol replaces Berkan smail Kutlu.
Chimuanya Ugochukwu is on, and Yunus Akgun is off.
Leroy Sane is on, and Deniz Gül is off.
Yunus Akgun takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Yellow card shown to Abdulkerim Bardakci.
Shot by Abdulkerim Bardakci with his left foot results in a goal.
assist: Aleksey Batrakov
Goal! Abdulkerim Bardakci scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Alexey Batrakov.
Roland Sallai's header is blocked.
Deniz Gül takes a shot, but it's blocked.
Davinson Sanchez Mina takes a header shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Mahamadou Susoho takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Tanguy Zoukrou's header is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Mahamadou Susoho takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Matej Maglica takes a shot with his head but misses.
Corner awarded.
Shot - Deniz Gül Head Shot Missed
Corner awarded.
Substitution: Alexey Batrakov comes on for Gabriel Davi Gomes Sara.
Makana Baku comes on for Daniel Agyei.
Davinson Sanchez Mina takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Deniz GülYellow CardDeniz Gül receives a yellow card.
Davinson Sanchez Mina attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Gabriel Davi Gomes Sara takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Roland Sallai takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Deniz Gül takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Eren Elmali's header is saved.
Eren Elmali's header is saved.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Corner awarded.
Abdulkerim Bardakci takes a shot with his head, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Rafael Leao takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Rafael Leao takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Rafael Leao takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Daniel Agyei takes a left-footed shot, but it hits the post.
Gabriel Davi Gomes Sara takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Deniz Gül takes a left-footed shot that hits the post.
Offside.
Shot - Deniz Gül Head Shot Missed
Offside.
Baris Alper Yilmaz takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Shot from Berkan İsmail Kutlu with his left foot, but it's blocked.
Anfernee DijksteelYellow CardYellow card issued to Anfernee Dijksteel.
Rafael Leao's left-footed shot is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Goal! Deniz Gül scores to make it 1-0.
VAR decision results in a disallowed goal due to a foul by Deniz Gül.
Deniz GülShot - Deniz Gül Head Shot Goal
Rafael Leao takes a right-footed shot that hits the post.
Lucas Torreira takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Mahamadou Susoho takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Deniz Gül takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Gabriel Davi Gomes Sara takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Kick-off! The referee is Atilla Karaoglan.
Second-place Galatasaray host in-form Kocaelispor at Rams Park in a top-flight clash between two of the Süper Lig's early-season surprises. With Victor Osimhen and other key names sidelined, Okan Buruk must find fresh solutions against a Kocaelispor side that's lost only once all season and beat Samsunspor last time out.
