Galatasaray shared the spoils with Fenerbahce in the Intercontinental Derby played on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at the Ulker Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
The encounter involving the teams sitting at the summit of the Turkish Super Lig produced no goal, despite the chances that fell to both sides.
Characteristically, such derbies do not have much fireworks on many occasions, as players of both clubs want to maintain bragging rights.
Nigeria's Bright Osayi-Samuel was the first player to get his name into the referee's book for a foul in the 13th minute.
Galatasaray had a big chance 7 minutes before the 20th, with Dries Mertens's right-footed attempt, unfortunately going wide.
Fernabahce tutored by Ismail Kartel struggled to create many chances in the game, with predominantly half-chances being seen by players of the two teams.
Kerem Demirbay also had an attempt at goal for Galatasaray but he also couldn't convert.
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce went into the break level, with plenty to do in the second half.
Following the restart of action in the second 45, Fernabahce introduced Ismail Yuksek for Cengiz Under.
Fenerbahce had a litany of opportunities in the second half, with a header from Eden Dzeko skimming wide.
In the 57th minute, Irfan Kahveci was handed a yellow card for a reckless tackle.
4 minutes later, Fernabahce also recorded another massive chance, with Sebastian Szymanski hitting a powerful shot from outside the box, but his attempt was also off-target.
Lucas Torriera was handed a yellow card 4 minutes away from the hour mark for a bad challenge.
Looking to change the face of the game, Okan Buruk brought on Wilfred Zaha for Dries Mertens in the 67th minute.
Joshua King also came on to replace Dusan Tadic in the 69th minute, with Hakim Ziyech also missing a chance to score in the 70th minute.
17 minutes before the end of proceedings, Joshua King was handed a yellow card by Referee Arda Kardesler. Galatasaray's Sacha Boey was also booked.
Both teams continued their search for the first goal, which ultimately didn't come despite several chances being seen in the game.
Hakim Ziyech was also shown a yellow card 5 minutes before the end of regulation time.
The away side made two changes in the 86th minute, with Cedric Bakambu coming on for Hakim Ziyech and Kaan Ayhan entering the fray for Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torriera.
Gala's Kerem Akturkoglu was also booked in the 91st minute before Tanguy Ndombele also came on for Kerem Demirbay.
In the 2nd minute of additional time in the second half, Halil Dervisoglu also replaced Kerem Akturkoglu, while Fernabahce made their last substitution in the 4th minute of added time, with Edin Dzeko going off for Michy Batshuayi.
The encounter ended nil-nill, with Fernabahce sitting at the summit of the log, with 44 points from 17 matches, winning 14 games, drawing 2, and losing 1.
Galatasaray sit 2nd with 44 points from 17 matches, winning 14 games, drawing 2, and losing 1.
Fernabahce sit top due to a healthier goal difference of +30 goals, in comparison to Galatasaray's +23.
The encounter involving the teams sitting at the summit of the Turkish Super Lig produced no goal, despite the chances that fell to both sides.
Characteristically, such derbies do not have much fireworks on many occasions, as players of both clubs want to maintain bragging rights.
Nigeria's Bright Osayi-Samuel was the first player to get his name into the referee's book for a foul in the 13th minute.
Galatasaray had a big chance 7 minutes before the 20th, with Dries Mertens's right-footed attempt, unfortunately going wide.
Fernabahce tutored by Ismail Kartel struggled to create many chances in the game, with predominantly half-chances being seen by players of the two teams.
Kerem Demirbay also had an attempt at goal for Galatasaray but he also couldn't convert.
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce went into the break level, with plenty to do in the second half.
Following the restart of action in the second 45, Fernabahce introduced Ismail Yuksek for Cengiz Under.
Fenerbahce had a litany of opportunities in the second half, with a header from Eden Dzeko skimming wide.
In the 57th minute, Irfan Kahveci was handed a yellow card for a reckless tackle.
4 minutes later, Fernabahce also recorded another massive chance, with Sebastian Szymanski hitting a powerful shot from outside the box, but his attempt was also off-target.
Lucas Torriera was handed a yellow card 4 minutes away from the hour mark for a bad challenge.
Looking to change the face of the game, Okan Buruk brought on Wilfred Zaha for Dries Mertens in the 67th minute.
Joshua King also came on to replace Dusan Tadic in the 69th minute, with Hakim Ziyech also missing a chance to score in the 70th minute.
17 minutes before the end of proceedings, Joshua King was handed a yellow card by Referee Arda Kardesler. Galatasaray's Sacha Boey was also booked.
Both teams continued their search for the first goal, which ultimately didn't come despite several chances being seen in the game.
Hakim Ziyech was also shown a yellow card 5 minutes before the end of regulation time.
The away side made two changes in the 86th minute, with Cedric Bakambu coming on for Hakim Ziyech and Kaan Ayhan entering the fray for Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torriera.
Gala's Kerem Akturkoglu was also booked in the 91st minute before Tanguy Ndombele also came on for Kerem Demirbay.
In the 2nd minute of additional time in the second half, Halil Dervisoglu also replaced Kerem Akturkoglu, while Fernabahce made their last substitution in the 4th minute of added time, with Edin Dzeko going off for Michy Batshuayi.
The encounter ended nil-nill, with Fernabahce sitting at the summit of the log, with 44 points from 17 matches, winning 14 games, drawing 2, and losing 1.
Galatasaray sit 2nd with 44 points from 17 matches, winning 14 games, drawing 2, and losing 1.
Fernabahce sit top due to a healthier goal difference of +30 goals, in comparison to Galatasaray's +23.