Beşiktaş–Fenerbahçe Derby (2 November 2025)

The match between Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe, played on 2 November 2025 at the Tüpraş Stadium in Istanbul, took place in the 11th week of the 2025-2026 Trendyol Süper Lig season and is recorded as the 362nd official derby between the two clubs. The contest ended with Fenerbahçe overturning a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2, drawing attention for both its dramatic scoreline and the match’s intense narrative.

As a result of the match, Fenerbahçe increased their points total to 25, moving up to second place in the league standings, while Beşiktaş remained in fourth place with 17 points.

Beşiktaş - Fenerbahçe Match, 2 November 2025 (Anadolu Ajansı)

Pre-Match Preparations and General Situation

Both teams entered the derby with full squads available. Beşiktaş head coach Sergen Yalçın stated in pre-match comments that for the first time that week, the team had been able to train with the complete roster and had focused on two distinct tactical plans. With Rafa Silva participating in training, the black-and-white side completed a comprehensive preparation phase and aimed to enter the derby with high morale. Yalçın also outlined his considerations regarding the use of El Bilal Toure as a central striker.

Fenerbahçe, under head coach Domenico Tedesco, had won five of their last six league matches, demonstrating strong form. The absence of injured players gave the coaching staff broad rotation options. Colombian forward Jhon Duran, having recovered from injury, was named to the squad but started on the bench. Mert Hakan Yandaş was not included in the squad due to仍未完全恢复. Tedesco emphasized in his pre-match remarks that he was not focusing on the state of opposing teams but solely on his own side.

Beşiktaş had won only one of their last five Süper Lig matches, drawing against Kasımpaşa and Galatasaray, and losing to Gençlerbirliği and Fenerbahçe. Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, remained undefeated in the league and continued to chase the top spot, trailing league leaders Galatasaray by four points.

No deficiencies or spectator issues were reported at the Tüpraş Stadium during the match, which attracted intense public interest. Additionally, banners and chants expressing solidarity with Palestine raised from the stands during and before the match demonstrated that the encounter took place within an atmosphere combining sporting competition with social awareness.

History of the Rivalry

Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe are among the most frequently matched teams in Turkish football history. The match played on 2 November 2025 was the 362nd official encounter between the two clubs. Their first meeting took place on 28 November 1924 and ended in a 4-0 victory for Fenerbahçe.

Of the 361 matches played between the two sides to date, Fenerbahçe has won 135, Beşiktaş 129, and 97 have ended in draws. Fenerbahçe has scored a total of 499 goals against Beşiktaş, while Beşiktaş has scored 459. The goal scored by İsmail Yüksek on 2 November 2025 was Fenerbahçe’s 500th goal against Beşiktaş in official matches.

Among the most lopsided results in the rivalry are Fenerbahçe’s 7-0 win in a special match on 6 December 1958 and Beşiktaş’s 7-1 victory in a special match on 23 March 1941.

In league matches, Fenerbahçe defeated Beşiktaş 3-0 on 7 March 1976 and 7 October 2012. Beşiktaş won 5-1 against their rival on 6 January 1990 and achieved four 4-0 victories.

The player with the most goals in the derby is Hakkı Yeten, who scored 32 goals for Beşiktaş. Cemil Turan holds the record for Fenerbahçe with 19 goals. The player with the most appearances in derbies is Beşiktaş’s Rıza Çalımbay, who played 64 times.

The earliest recorded goal was scored by Fenerbahçe’s Elvir Bolic in the 21st second of a league match on 10 March 1996. This was preceded by a goal from Beşiktaş’s Mehmet Özdilek in the 37th second of a match played in 1991.

Since the opening of the Tüpraş Stadium in 2016, Beşiktaş has faced Fenerbahçe 11 times at this venue, winning three, drawing six, and losing two.

Lineups

Beşiktaş Starting XI

Ersin Destanoğlu, Gökhan Sazdağı, Gabriel Paulista, Emirhan Topçu, Rıdvan Yılmaz, Orkun Kökçü, Wilfred Ndidi, Rafa Silva, Cengiz Ünder, Vaclav Cerny, El Bilal Toure.

Substitutes Who Entered the Match

• Salih Uçan (replacing Cengiz Ünder, 37th minute)
• Milot Rashica (replacing Cerny, 58th minute)
• Abraham (replacing Ndidi, 86th minute)

Fenerbahçe Starting XI

Ederson Moraes, Nelson Semedo, Milan Škriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde, Levent Mercan, Edson Álvarez, İsmail Yüksek, Nene Dorgival, Marco Asensio, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Youssef En-Nesyri.

Substitutes Who Entered the Match

• Anderson Talisca (replacing Nene, 46th minute)
• Jhon Duran (replacing En-Nesyri, 66th minute)
• Oğuz Aydın (replacing Kerem Aktürkoğlu, 72nd minute)
• Joshua Zirkzee Brown (replacing Levent Mercan, 80th minute)
• Sebastian Szymański (replacing Asensio, 80th minute)

Match Progression

First Half

The first half of the Beşiktaş-Fenerbahçe match began at a high tempo and was shaped by early goals. In the 5th minute, following a left-wing attack by Beşiktaş, El Bilal Toure rose well in the penalty area to head home Rafa Silva’s cross and give the home side the lead. In the 22nd minute, after Emirhan Topçu won the ball from Edson Alvarez, he received a pass from El Bilal Toure and fired a low shot into the net to make it 2-0.

Beşiktaş - Fenerbahçe Match, 2 November 2025 (Anadolu Ajansı)

In the 26th minute, Orkun Kökçü of Beşiktaş received a yellow card for a foul on Edson Alvarez. Following a VAR review, the yellow card was upgraded to a red card. In the same minute, Beşiktaş head coach Sergen Yalçın was sent to the stands after receiving a red card for protesting the referee’s decision.

Fenerbahçe, now with a numerical advantage, reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the 32nd minute. After a corner kick from the right flank resulted in a scramble, İsmail Yüksek headed the ball, and the rebound fell to a teammate who fired it into the net. This goal marked Fenerbahçe’s 500th goal against Beşiktaş in official matches.

Beşiktaş - Fenerbahçe Match, 2 November 2025 (Anadolu Ajansı)

In stoppage time of the first half, at 45+3 minutes, Marco Asensio controlled a ball sent into the penalty area by Nene, evaded Ndidi, and struck the ball into the net to equalize the score. The first half ended 2-2.

Second Half

The second half began with a more balanced tempo compared to the first. Fenerbahçe introduced Talisca for Nene in the 46th minute to strengthen their attacking line. In the 48th minute, Beşiktaş created a promising chance through Rafa Silva; his shot from the right flank was saved by goalkeeper Ederson. Immediately after, in the 49th minute, Fenerbahçe threatened with a goal attempt from İsmail Yüksek, who ran in from the left diagonal following a long pass from Talisca, but goalkeeper Ersin Destanoğlu pushed the ball onto the post.

As the minutes passed, Fenerbahçe increased their pressure. In the 65th minute, following a corner from the right by Asensio, Edson Alvarez’s heel shot was cleared off the line by Gökhan Sazdağı. In the 66th minute, a shot from Skriniar on the left diagonal struck the post and went out for a corner.

Beşiktaş - Fenerbahçe Match, 2 November 2025 (Anadolu Ajansı)

Fenerbahçe found the decisive goal in the 83rd minute. Jhon Duran intervened as Emirhan Topçu attempted to clear a loose ball, regained possession, and immediately fired into the net to put his team ahead 3-2.

No further goals were scored in the remaining minutes, and the match ended 3-2 in favor of Fenerbahçe. The yellow-and-navy side had come back from 2-0 down to win, increasing their points total to 25, while Beşiktaş remained on 17 points.

Coaches’ Statements

Domenico Tedesco (Fenerbahçe Head Coach)

Fenerbahçe head coach Domenico Tedesco, in his post-match assessment, said his team never lost composure despite falling 2-0 behind and expressed satisfaction with the players’ fighting spirit. He stated:

“We conceded two goals due to individual mistakes. We did not deserve to be 2-0 behind. We had created a 1-2 situation. Beşiktaş, a strong team, capitalized on our two errors. It is hard to play even with seven opponents in such a heated away environment. We won 3-2. I am satisfied with the mentality we showed.”^【1】 

In response to a question regarding the point losses of other top teams, Tedesco replied:

“I do not care about my rivals. I do not watch their matches. I only focus on Fenerbahçe.”^【2】 

Tedesco also emphasized the value of every goal his team scored and commented on the match atmosphere:

“Every goal we scored was crucial. Playing in such an atmosphere is difficult. There was a lot of whistling. That is a good sign. The more they whistle, the more the ball stays with us. It was hard for them to stay with ten men. It was also hard for us, but we did not lose our heads. Every goal was valuable.”^【3】 

Murat Kaytaz (Beşiktaş Assistant Coach)

Beşiktaş head coach Sergen Yalçın was sent off in the 26th minute and therefore did not make post-match comments. The post-match assessment for Beşiktaş was delivered by assistant coach Murat Kaytaz.

Murat Kaytaz stated that the team entered the match following tactical preparations under Yalçın’s guidance and that their planned high-pressing strategy worked effectively during the first 25 minutes, leading to the 2-0 lead. He emphasized that players had been warned before the match about the risks of yellow cards and added:

“Our coach explained the derby atmosphere very well to the players. He told us to be very careful with cards. Our plan worked for the first 25 minutes.”^【4】 

Kaytaz also drew attention to the challenge on Rafa Silva prior to Orkun Kökçü’s red card incident, suggesting that VAR could have awarded a red card for that foul. Regarding the psychological state of the team after taking the lead, he said:

“When we went 2-0 up, our players showed signs of panic. Since we arrived here, we have been trying to eliminate this. Even after scoring, they panic out of instinct to protect the lead.”^【5】 

Kaytaz noted that they had analyzed Fenerbahçe’s previous match against Dinamo Zagreb and adjusted their defensive strategy in the second half accordingly, stating that the revised plan was effective.

Regarding referee decisions, Kaytaz agreed with the decision to send off Sergen Yalçın for entering the pitch, but criticized the fact that Fenerbahçe head coach Domenico Tedesco was not similarly punished when he entered the field:

“They sent off Sergen Hoca. That was the correct decision because he entered the pitch. Tedesco also entered the pitch. They did not send him off. We find this hard to understand.”^【6】 

In closing his remarks, Murat Kaytaz thanked the players and fans and stated that the team is working to correct their current issues.

Players’ Statements

Marco Asensio (Fenerbahçe)

Fenerbahçe’s scorer of the second goal, Marco Asensio, emphasized the importance of the victory in his post-match comments, commenting on the difficulty of the match and the team’s performance:

“We had to win this match. Our opponent had dropped points. We have been working well for weeks. Today we showed strong character. We turned the game around. We also thank our fans. This comeback is the result of our hard work. Winning in such a tough away environment was very important.”^【7】 

Regarding his goal, he said:

“If I remember correctly, Nene passed to me. As the ball came to me, I turned my body toward goal, controlled it accordingly, saw the goalkeeper, and shot to the opposite side. It went in. I am very happy. Scoring in a derby makes me very happy. But more important than my goal was that we got three points.”^【8】 

İsmail Yüksek (Fenerbahçe)

Fenerbahçe’s first goal scorer, İsmail Yüksek, noted that this was his first goal in the Süper Lig and expressed his emotions:

“I am truly very happy. Before this match, my family, close friends, and girlfriend all said I would score today. Some goals are special, especially in a derby. I scored my first goal for Fenerbahçe. I am incredibly happy. Coming back from 2-0 is the work of a great team. We fought as our fans deserve.”^【9】 

On the team’s overall performance, he added:

“A perfect fight, perfect hunger, perfect team play. We are happy we won. We will celebrate this victory today and focus on the Plzen match from tomorrow.”^【10】 

Regarding the team’s recent cohesion, he said:

“Names don’t matter. What matters is the crest on the front of the jersey and the fight on the pitch. Whoever plays, they give the kind of fight that suits Fenerbahçe. What matters is Fenerbahçe.”^【11】 

Gabriel Paulista (Beşiktaş)

Beşiktaş defender Gabriel Paulista, in his post-match assessment, highlighted the turning points of the match:

“We started the match brilliantly. The red card changed the course of the game. We began to give too much space to the opponent. These things happen in football. Had we stayed calmer, we could have scored a third goal. The goals we conceded were not the result of the opponent doing anything extraordinary. We lost three goals due to individual and team mistakes. We must criticize ourselves.”^【12】 

Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş)

Beşiktaş midfielder Wilfred Ndidi assessed the period after the red card despite the team’s early dominance:

“The match was going well for us. We went 2-0 up. After the red card and conceding a goal, the opponent gained momentum. We wanted to stay in the game. We had the fighting spirit. Now we need to build on this. We know we have quality. We must stay together as one unit.”^【13】 

The Beşiktaş-Fenerbahçe derby played on 2 November 2025 saw the home team take a 2-0 lead early, but the match turned after Beşiktaş were reduced to ten men following a red card. Fenerbahçe capitalized on the numerical advantage to win 3-2, completing a significant comeback and increasing their points total to 25 to remain in the title race. Beşiktaş, meanwhile, have won only one of their last five matches and remain on 17 points.

Following the derby, Fenerbahçe will host Kayserispor in the 12th week of the Süper Lig, while Beşiktaş will travel to face Antalyaspor.