Turkish Super Lig 2024: Season review of top players, thrilling goals, key stats
A data-packed look at the first half of Turkish Super Lig 2024: Top teams, players, and key moments, December 27, 2024. (AA Photo)
The 2024 Turkish Super Lig has been a rollercoaster of emotions for fans, players, and teams alike.
With 439 goals scored across 153 matches, the league showcased thrilling contests, rising talents, and intense competition.
- Galatasaray ended the first half as the dominant force, while Fenerbahce trailed closely behind
- Besiktas and Trabzonspor faced challenges, and relegation battles heated up among the bottom teams.
So let’s dive into the highlights, statistics, and trends that defined the first half, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
Galatasaray leads with offensive brilliance, tactical superiority
Galatasaray has been the most impressive team of the season, leading the league with 44 points and a league-high 47 goals. Under the experienced guidance of Okan Buruk, they displayed a combination of offensive flair and tactical discipline.
Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker on loan from Napoli, scored 9 goals in 11 appearances. His partnership with Baris Alper Yilmaz, who netted 8 goals, proved to be a key factor in their success. The team also excelled in set pieces, scoring 7 goals from such opportunities, largely thanks to Gabriel Sara’s precision deliveries.
Despite their dominance, Galatasaray showed signs of vulnerability in defense, conceding 19 goals. Notably, they struggled to maintain leads in key matches against strong opponents like Trabzonspor and Besiktas.
Galatasaray’s first-half statistics:
- Points: 44
- Goals scored: 47
- Goals conceded: 19
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Victor Osimhen | 9 |
| Baris Alper Yilmaz | 8 |
| Michy Batshuayi | 5 |
| Yunus Akgun | 5 |
| Dries Mertens | 4 |
| Mauro Icardi | 4 |
Fenerbahce chases Super Lig title with Jose Mourinho
Fenerbahce sits second in the table with 36 points, 8 behind Galatasaray. Their offense was spearheaded by Edin Dzeko, who scored 9 goals, and supported by Dusan Tadic, a key playmaker. The team demonstrated discipline, avoiding any red cards during the first half of the Super Lig season.
Fenerbahce’s most memorable moment came in their dramatic 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor, where a stoppage-time goal sealed the win. This resilience, coupled with tactical flexibility, keeps them in the hunt for the title as the league enters its second half.
Fenerbahce’s notable statistics in the Super Lig:
- Goals scored: 40
- Goals conceded: 22
- Key players: Edin Dzeko (9 goals), Dusan Tadic (7 goals)
Besiktas struggles with inconsistency despite Ciro Immobile’s efforts
Besiktas experienced a mixed first half, finishing sixth with 26 points in the Super Lig rankings.
The team scored 25 goals, with Ciro Immobile contributing 9, including 5 from penalties. Despite being the league’s 3rd-best defensive team, conceding only 18 goals, their inconsistent performances cost them valuable points.
The team’s inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities in key matches left fans disappointed. A stronger second half will be crucial for Besiktas to stay in contention for European spots.
Trabzonspor’s turbulent Super Lig season under new leadership
Trabzonspor’s season was marked by challenges, with the team finishing 13th with just 19 points. Simon Banza was a bright spot, scoring 10 of their 24 goals.
However, their failure to secure an away win reflected their struggles and defensive lapses led to 22 goals conceded.
The midseason appointment of Senol Gunes as manager brought some optimism, but the results have yet to reflect significant improvement. Trabzonspor will need a strong turnaround to avoid slipping further down the table.
| Team | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | Top Scorer | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Besiktas | 25 | 18 | Ciro Immobile (9) | 26 |
| Trabzonspor | 24 | 22 | Simon Banza (10) | 19 |
Relegation battle intensifies among struggling teams
At the bottom of the table, Bodrum FK and Adana Demirspor face significant challenges in the Turkish Super Lig. Bodrum FK scored just 12 goals, the fewest in the league, while Adana Demirspor conceded 28 goals, the most.
These teams struggled with financial constraints and lacked the depth needed to compete consistently.
Adana Demirspor’s younger players, including Ozan Demirbag, showed potential, but their defensive frailties need urgent attention. For Bodrum FK, finding a reliable striker will be critical to their survival hopes.
Turkish Super Lig statistical trends, insights
The first half of the Turkish Super Lig revealed several fascinating patterns and trends:
- Total goals scored: 439
- Highest scorers: Galatasaray (47 goals)
- Fewest goals scored: Bodrum FK (12 goals)
- Most goals conceded: Adana Demirspor (28 goals)
Goal-scoring patterns by time intervals:
The second half of matches was more productive, with 247 of the 439 goals scored after halftime. The 46–60 minute period saw the most goals (73), emphasizing the impact of halftime tactical adjustments.
| Time Interval (Minutes) | Goals Scored |
|---|---|
| 0-15 | 56 |
| 16-30 | 56 |
| 31-45 | 61 |
| 46-60 | 73 |
| 61-75 | 70 |
| 76-90 | 64 |
| 90+ | 40 |
Foreign players dominate Turkish Super Lig as local talents emerge
Foreign players scored 342 of the 439 goals, with Brazilian players being the most represented nationality (21 players). Krzysztof Piatek led the scoring charts with 12 goals for Basaksehir, followed by Simon Banza (10) and Victor Osimhen (9).
Top scorers of the first half:
| Player | Goals | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Krzysztof Piatek | 12 | Basaksehir |
| Simon Banza | 10 | Trabzonspor |
| Victor Osimhen | 9 | Galatasaray |
| Ciro Immobile | 9 | Besiktas |
| Edin Dzeko | 9 | Fenerbahce |
Local players like Baris Alper Yilmaz emerged as key contributors, finishing as the top Turkish scorer with 8 goals.
Looking ahead: Predictions, key expectations from Turkish Super Lig
All eyes will be on Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in the title race when the league enters its second half.
Besiktas and Trabzonspor must resolve their inconsistencies to secure higher positions, while relegation-threatened teams like Bodrum FK face an uphill battle.
Winter transfer activity could significantly alter the dynamics of the league. Teams may focus on strengthening their defenses and bolstering their attacking options.
The second half promises to bring more surprises, dramatic finishes, and fierce competition as the Turkish Super Lig captivates fans worldwide.
