Three points the only target for Beşiktaş as all eyes turn to Orkun and Oh
Beşiktaş, under head coach Sergen Yalçın, enters a crucial clash in the Trendyol Süper Lig with a clear objective: victory and nothing less. Chasing European qualification, the Black and Whites host high-flying Göztepe at Tüpraş Stadium in a direct battle for the upper spots of the table.
The match, part of the 23rd round of the league, will be played on Sunday, 22 February, at 20:00 in Istanbul. Referee Ozan Ergün has been appointed to officiate this high-stakes encounter, where even a single mistake could heavily influence the race for Europe.
After 22 league games, Beşiktaş have collected 40 points with 11 wins, 7 draws and 4 defeats, entering the week in 5th place. Their opponents from Izmir have been slightly more consistent: Göztepe sit one step above them in 4th with 41 points, having recorded 11 victories, 8 draws and only 3 losses in the same number of matches. A home win would allow Beşiktaş to overtake their rivals and strengthen their hold on a European spot; a slip, however, would put them under serious pressure in the standings.
Yalçın aims to capitalise on home advantage
Playing in front of their own fans, Beşiktaş are determined to turn Tüpraş Stadium into a fortress and walk away with all three points. Sergen Yalçın is fully aware that this match could become a turning point in the season when it comes to momentum and confidence. Beyond the scoreboard, it is also a psychological test: beating a direct competitor at home would reinforce the belief that Beşiktaş can sustain their challenge at the top.
On the other bench, Stanimir Stoilov and his Göztepe side travel to Istanbul with the mindset of a team that has nothing to fear. Their plan is clear: at least one point to maintain their edge in the table, but if the opportunity presents itself, they will not hesitate to go for more. Göztepe’s compact structure and disciplined approach have made them one of the most difficult teams to beat this season.
El Bilal Touré ruled out with injury
Beşiktaş approach this decisive fixture with only one confirmed absentee, but it is a significant one. Malian winger El Bilal Touré, who was injured in last week’s league match against RAMS Başakşehir, will not be available. Medical examinations revealed bleeding and a tear in the tendon of his left posterior thigh muscle. The dynamic attacker will be sidelined for a while and is set to miss the Göztepe clash.
Touré’s absence reduces Yalçın’s options on the flanks and forces the coaching staff to rethink certain attacking patterns. Without the Malian’s pace and directness, more responsibility will fall on the creative players in midfield and on the full-backs to provide width. It may also open the door for alternative formations or a more centrally oriented attacking setup.
Junior Olaitan to face his former club
One of the most intriguing storylines of the evening will be the possible appearance of Junior Olaitan against his former team. The 23-year-old Beninese midfielder joined Beşiktaş during the winter transfer window, having impressed in Göztepe colours in the first half of the season.
Before his move to Istanbul, Olaitan featured in 18 league games for Göztepe, scoring 2 goals and contributing significantly to their strong league position. Now, if Sergen Yalçın gives him the nod, he will step onto the pitch wearing black and white, determined to make the difference against the very club that helped raise his profile.
Matches against former teams often carry an extra emotional weight. Olaitan knows Göztepe’s structure, style and key players intimately, which could be a tactical advantage for Beşiktaş both in preparation and during the game. His ability to operate between the lines, press intelligently and drive the ball forward may be crucial in breaking Göztepe’s well-organised defensive block.
Three Beşiktaş players walking a disciplinary tightrope
Beşiktaş also have to manage a disciplinary risk ahead of their next league fixture. Three players enter the Göztepe game on the verge of suspension due to yellow card accumulation: Emirhan Topçu, captain Orkun Kökçü and Salih Uçan.
If any of these three receive a booking on Sunday, they will miss the 24th-week away match against Kocaelispor. This situation puts extra pressure particularly on Kökçü and Uçan, who are central to Beşiktaş’s build-up and midfield balance. Yalçın must find the fine line between keeping their usual aggressiveness and avoiding unnecessary cards.
Orkun Kökçü and Hyeon-gyu Oh: Yalçın’s main weapons
In attack, Sergen Yalçın’s biggest hopes are pinned on captain Orkun Kökçü and South Korean striker Hyeon-gyu Oh. Both players have been in eye-catching form recently and are seen as the key to unlocking Göztepe’s defence.
Kökçü has been particularly influential in the last stretch of games. In the Süper Lig, he has found the net against Eyüpspor, TÜMOSAN Konyaspor, Corendon Alanyaspor and RAMS Başakşehir, scoring in each of those fixtures and often dragging his team forward in critical moments. The 25-year-old midfielder also made a decisive contribution in the Turkish Cup, scoring against Kocaelispor and effectively rescuing a point for his side.
Oh, a winter signing like Olaitan, has hit the ground running. The Korean forward scored in each of his first two appearances for Beşiktaş, immediately showing his instinct in the penalty area and his ability to adapt quickly to a new league and new teammates. With this achievement, he became the first player since the 2005-2006 season to score in his first two matches for Beşiktaş, following in the footsteps of prolific striker Aílton.
The partnership between Orkun and Oh is one of the main reasons for optimism among Beşiktaş supporters. Orkun’s vision, set-piece quality and late runs into the box, combined with Oh’s movement, physicality and finishing, give Yalçın a powerful attacking axis. How effectively they combine against Göztepe may well determine the outcome.
Defensive concerns remain unresolved
Despite the attacking improvements, Beşiktaş’s biggest problem area remains the defence. The team has failed to keep a clean sheet in 17 of their 22 league matches this season. They have managed to finish only 5 games without conceding, while in the remaining 17 they have allowed a total of 29 goals.
These numbers underline a structural issue rather than a series of isolated mistakes. Gaps between the lines, concentration lapses in transition and occasional errors in marking on set pieces have all contributed. Against an organised and opportunistic side like Göztepe, any such weakness can be brutally punished.
For this reason, the Göztepe game is not only about three points but also about sending a signal that Beşiktaş can finally stabilise at the back. Whether Yalçın chooses to make further changes in the defensive line or sticks with his recent choices will be closely watched.
Historical edge lost in Istanbul – and a chance to reclaim it
Recent history between the two clubs in Istanbul offers a warning for Beşiktaş. Since 2022, in matches played in the city across league and cup competitions, the Black and Whites have failed to beat Göztepe in three consecutive home games.
During this period, the sides met once in the Süper Lig and twice in the Turkish Cup. At Dolmabahçe, Göztepe managed a 4-2 victory in the league and a 3-1 triumph in the cup, signalling that they are not intimidated by the atmosphere in Istanbul. In another cup tie, the teams played out a 0-0 draw, with Beşiktaş progressing only after a penalty shoot-out.
Beşiktaş’s most recent win over Göztepe dates back to 23 December 2021, when they prevailed 2-1. Ending this negative home sequence has become an additional motivational factor for both the players and the fans. A convincing performance would not only improve the league position but also restore a sense of authority in front of their own supporters.
Long unbeaten run on the line
Despite the defensive fragility and recent struggles against Göztepe at home, Beşiktaş come into this match in excellent overall form. The team has not lost in their last 14 matches across league and Turkish Cup competitions.
In this span, the Black and Whites have played 11 times in the league and 3 times in the cup, avoiding defeat for almost four months. They have recorded victories against Antalyaspor, Fatih Karagümrük, Çaykur Rizespor, Fenerbahçe, Ankara Keçiörengücü, Kayserispor, Konyaspor and Başakşehir, while drawing with Samsunspor, Gaziantep FK, Trabzonspor, Eyüpspor, Kocaelispor and Alanyaspor.
Their last defeat dates back to 2 November 2025, when they lost 3-2 at home to Fenerbahçe in a dramatic derby. Since then, the team has shown resilience and the ability to avoid losses even on off days. Maintaining this unbeaten record, however, will require maximum focus against a Göztepe side that has already proven its ability to cause problems in Istanbul.
Tactical expectations: control versus transition
From a tactical perspective, the game is likely to pit Beşiktaş’s desire to control possession against Göztepe’s efficiency in transitions. Yalçın’s side, especially with Orkun at the heart of midfield, looks to build patiently from the back, pushing full-backs high and using quick combinations in the final third. Oh’s presence in the box makes crosses and cut-backs a major weapon.
Göztepe, under Stoilov, are expected to stay compact, close the central lanes and look for quick counters, exploiting the spaces that can appear behind Beşiktaş’s advanced full-backs. The visitors’ ability to press at the right moments and to break with speed could define their chances of leaving Istanbul with a positive result.
Set pieces may also play a key role: Beşiktaş have the aerial presence and delivery quality to be dangerous, while their defensive vulnerability on dead balls remains a concern. Any lapse in concentration could swing the balance in such a finely poised contest.
Psychological stakes: statement game for both sides
Beyond tactics and form, this is a psychological test for both teams. For Beşiktaş, a win would reinforce the narrative of a team on the rise under Yalçın, capable of beating direct rivals and turning a long unbeaten run into a genuine push for Europe. It would also ease the pressure before the tricky away trip to Kocaelispor.
For Göztepe, leaving Istanbul with points would confirm their status as one of the most consistent sides of the season and legitimise their ambitions of finishing in the European spots. Holding or even extending their advantage over Beşiktaş in the table would be a significant statement.
All eyes on Orkun and Oh in a season-defining night
As kickoff approaches, the spotlight will naturally focus on captain Orkun Kökçü and striker Hyeon-gyu Oh. Their recent form, leadership and ability to deliver in big games have turned them into the faces of Beşiktaş’s new attacking identity.
If Orkun continues to dictate play and arrive in scoring positions, and if Oh maintains his ruthless efficiency in the penalty area, Beşiktaş will have every chance not only to claim the three points but also to show that they are ready to take the next step in their season. For the home side, this matchup is more than just another league fixture: it is an examination of their ambitions, their resolve and their capacity to perform under pressure when the whole stadium expects a win.