Fenerbahçe SK fell to a 2-1 defeat against Besiktas in the Süper Lig's fourth week, losing the season's first Istanbul derby at Kadikoy. Despite taking an early lead through Milan Skriniar in the 26th minute, the yellow-blues conceded an equalizer to Ridvan Yilmaz twelve minutes later and a winner from Dusan Vlahovic in the 73rd minute.

According to a report by Goal.com, the winning goal's creator, Orkun Kokcu, received lavish praise from his teammate after the match. Besiktas striker Dusan Vlahovic hailed Kokcu as a 'world-class star', stating, "Thanks to him, I’ve been scoring a lot of goals." Vlahovic added, "I am lucky to have the opportunity to play alongside him."

How did the match unfold?

Fenerbahçe started the derby strongly. Key defender Milan Skriniar headed home in the 26th minute to put his side 1-0 up. This goal boosted the home side and raised the atmosphere in Kadikoy. The advantage was short-lived, however. The first half ended 1-1.

The balance shifted in the second period. Besiktas displayed more organized play and increased the pressure. In the 73rd minute, team captain Orkun Kokcu, despite having space to shoot himself, found striker Dusan Vlahovic with a perfect pass. Vlahovic converted the chance, scoring the goal that secured all three points for his team. Kokcu's decision highlighted his team-first mentality.

What did the players say after the match?

Orkun Kokcu praised his team's resilience after going behind early. Explaining his decisive assist, Kokcu noted he was in a good shooting position but believed Vlahovic was in a better angle. This piece of football intelligence earned his team the victory.

Besiktas goalscorer Dusan Vlahovic admitted he is still working toward his peak physical condition. He expects to produce higher goal tallies as the season progresses and stated his team will now focus on upcoming league fixtures to maintain strong form. The win gives the black-whites early bragging rights in the Istanbul derby campaign.

What is Fenerbahçe's league standing?

Following this defeat, Fenerbahçe has slipped to 7th place in the Süper Lig. With 6 points from 4 games (2 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses), their recent form reads LWWL. The team has scored 8 goals so far this season while conceding 6, for a +2 goal difference. They currently trail league leaders Galatasaray by 4 points.

For injuries, Jayden Oosterwolde remains sidelined, limiting defensive options. The team's next league fixture is an away match against 10th-placed Başakşehir on December 6, 2026. Ahead of that match, monitoring the team's injury status and fixture schedule is important. Dropping points this early in the season necessitates more consistent performances in the coming weeks to stays in the league standings.