Istanbul, Turkey – A heated Istanbul derby saw Galatasaray emerge with a crucial 1-0 victory over Besiktas on Thursday, but the win was marred by a controversial red card issued to German international Leroy Sané. The incident, occurring in the 62nd minute, has sparked debate and accusations of bias from Besiktas officials.
Victor Osimhen’s header in the 39th minute proved to be the difference, extending Galatasaray’s lead atop the Turkish Super Lig to seven points over Fenerbahce, though Fenerbahce has a game in hand. Despite playing with ten men for over half an hour, Galatasaray held on for a vital win in a fiercely contested match.
Early Caution, Late Ejection for Sané
The match was tense from the outset, with both teams battling for supremacy in the Istanbul derby. Sané narrowly avoided an early sending-off in the first half after a reckless challenge, receiving only a yellow card for a tackle that Besiktas felt warranted a straight red. The club’s official X account posted a video of the incident, questioning the leniency shown by the referee.
The incident that ultimately led to Sané’s dismissal occurred in the 62nd minute. While attempting to dribble past Ridvan Yilmaz, Sané stepped on his opponent’s Achilles tendon. After reviewing the play with VAR, the referee showed Sané a straight red card, leaving Galatasaray to play a man down for the remainder of the match.
This marked the first red card of Sané’s professional career, a significant moment in a career that has spanned some of Europe’s top leagues. Following the match, Sané took to Instagram, stating, “Difficult to watch the last 30 minutes from the sidelines, but what a fight from the boys! An unfortunate red card for me, but a great derby win. Thank you for the great fan support!”
Besiktas Officials Allege Bias
The decision to send off Sané has drawn the ire of Besiktas officials, with technical director Sergen Yalcin suggesting a conspiracy at play. “How can you not send the player off in the 20th minute? That’s your job. Because you are the referee,” Yalcin said in an official statement. “This is Turkish football, huge amounts of Euros are spent here. The clubs spend a lot of money. This is not a farm for these players.” He further stated that the decision appeared “very strange” and alluded to “too much politics” influencing the outcome.
Sané’s Assist Sets Up Osimhen
Despite the eventual red card, Sané played a key role in Galatasaray’s winning goal. In the 39th minute, he delivered a precise cross to Victor Osimhen, who headed the ball past the Besiktas goalkeeper to give Galatasaray the lead. The assist showcased Sané’s quality and vision, even amidst the escalating tension of the derby.
The match itself was a physical affair, with a total of ten players receiving yellow cards, highlighting the intensity of the Istanbul rivalry. Bayern Munich loanee Sacha Boey entered the game for Galatasaray after Sané’s ejection, bolstering the defense as they sought to protect their narrow lead.
Galatasaray Extends Lead in Süper Lig
The victory solidifies Galatasaray’s position at the top of the Turkish Süper Lig table. With seven points separating them from Fenerbahce, Okan Buruk’s side is in a strong position to secure the league title. However, Fenerbahce’s game in hand means the title race is far from over.
Former Germany captain Ilkay Gündogan was an unused substitute for Galatasaray in the match. The result extends Besiktas’s winless run against Galatasaray, adding to the frustration for the home side and their supporters.
The incident involving Sané is likely to be a talking point in Turkish football for days to come, raising questions about refereeing consistency and the influence of external factors on match outcomes. For Galatasaray, the focus now shifts to maintaining their lead and navigating the remaining fixtures of the season.
Galatasaray will next face Antalyaspor on March 15th at the Rams Global Stadium (19:00 TRT / 16:00 UTC). Fans can follow updates on the official Galatasaray website and social media channels.
