‘Fenerbahçe head coach Domenico Tedesco has expressed relief after his side held Galatasaray to a hard-fought draw in Monday night tip of the table clash otherwise known as Istanbul derby,
Fernabache successfully limiting the influence of star striker Victor Osimhen, who led the Galatasaray attack after he was rushed back into the starting line up after a brief injury lay off
Speaking after the match, Tedesco admitted that the first half was a difficult period for his team but stressed that neither side truly controlled the game.
According to him, the nature of the derby demanded intensity, discipline, and a strong grip on second balls — factors that ultimately ensured Fenerbahçe stayed compact and prevented Osimhen from finding decisive moments.
A game plan that restricted Osimhen to only three shots in, he had no assists nor scored any goal before he was hauled off in the 77th minute by Coach Orkan.
“We are playing against Galatasaray. This is not a match you play for fun,” Tedesco said.
“I don’t think Galatasaray controlled the game either. In matches of this magnitude, winning second balls becomes crucial. They tried to play long balls to Osimhen and Barış, but we defended most of them very well.”
Fenerbahçe’s defensive plan focused heavily on restricting space for Osimhen, whose pace and physicality have troubled defenders across Europe.
The Fenerbahçe centre-back pairing stayed tight on the Nigerian striker, while the midfield consistently dropped deep to cut off passing channels.
Tedesco described it as a coordinated effort that required concentration throughout the game.
He noted that although Galatasaray attempted to exploit direct balls to their forwards, his side’s organisation and communication ensured they were rarely exposed.
“We stayed compact, remained aggressive in duels, and controlled the long passes. That was the key to keeping Osimhen quiet,” he added.
Tedesco also praised his players’ resilience, especially during Galatasaray’s periods of pressure.
He insisted the draw was a fair result, highlighting the tactical discipline and fighting spirit demonstrated by his squad.
With the derby now behind them,Fenerbahçe will look to build on the defensive steadiness shown against one of the league’s most dangerous attacking threats, as they continue their push in the Turkish Super Lig title race.
