New coach, same old problems for Fenerbahce

The Yellow Canaries showed no signs of improvement despite hiring a new coach last week.

Fenerbahce’s hopes of a quick recovery following a coach replacement faded on December 17 after the Istanbul club was held to a 2-2 draw at home by Erzurumspor in the 16th week of Super Lig action.

In their first game under newly appointed coach Ersun Yanal, Fenerbahce failed to keep a two-goal lead in the second half and caved in to the visiting side’s constant attacks with a goal in the dying minutes of the game.

The Yellow Canaries remained in 17th place in the league, just a point above Rizespor.

Yanal, who was in charge of Fenerbahce during the 2013-2014 season and led the club to the league title, said after the game that “the squad needs time and will perform much better in the second half of the league competition.”

The team will travel to Antalyaspor next weekend for their last game before the league’s winter break. The competition will resume on January 19.

Yanal shocked to see his team surrender a 2-0 lead.

“The supporters were excited, hopeful about the tempo and ambition of the team,” Yanal told reporters during the post-game press conference.

“Whatever happens, Fenerbahce should not concede two goals in a game it went 2-0 ahead. What was important tonight was the enthusiasm of my players. We could not get the score we wanted, but I want to say that this will become a good team and will reflect the ambition to win on the pitch in every game.”

Yanal said with the return of injured and suspended players, and moves to be made in the winter break, they will be a “different team” in the second half of the season.

“We will not deal with excuses, the past is over,” he said. “We will take the necessary lessons [from the past], but we are trying to manage the upcoming period. We will never disappoint Fenerbahce fans and we will present to them the Fenerbahce they want to see.”

While the fight against relegation remains tight, Istanbul Basaksehir extended their stay atop the standings despite a 1-1 draw at home against Galatasaray on December 15.

Besiktas and Trabzonspor to played another draw in Istanbul on December 16, when Besiktas scored twice in the second half to complete a stunning comeback.