Fenerbahçe SK will be missing four key players for their Süper Lig Week 3 away match against Samsunspor. As reported by Hürriyet Spor on 29 August 2026, goalkeeper Mert Günok, forward Marco Asensio, defender Çağlar Söyüncü, and winger Kerem Aktürkoğlu are all unavailable due to injury, leaving head coach İsmail Kartal with selection headaches.
The team currently sits 8th in the league standings. With 3 points from two matches, Fenerbahçe have scored 5 goals and conceded 4. They trail leaders Gençlerbirliği by 4 points, increasing the importance of this weekend's fixture. Kartal's side had bounced back from an opening-day loss to Gençlerbirliği by beating TÜMOSAN Konyaspor 4-2 at home, then secured UEFA Champions League qualification after an 18-year absence with a 2-1 away win against French side Olimpique Lyonnais in midweek.
Which players will be unavailable for the match?
Fenerbahçe's absentee list for the Samsunspor clash features four names. Goalkeeper Mert Günok, forward Marco Asensio, and defender Çağlar Söyüncü are all ruled out due to injuries. Winger Kerem Aktürkoğlu is unavailable under FIFA protocols following a head trauma sustained in the Konyaspor match and is undergoing checks. These absences create significant gaps in both the defensive and attacking lines. These four join an already extensive injury list detailed on the club's injuries page, which also includes Diego Carlos, Ognjen Mimović, Rodrigo Becão, and Jayden Oosterwolde.
What are the match details and referee appointments?
Fenerbahçe's away match against Samsunspor will kick off at 21:30 at the Samsun Yeni 19 Mayıs Stadium. The match referee has been appointed as Yasin Kol. He will be assisted by linesmen Anıl Usta and Bahtiyar Birinci. This match represents Fenerbahçe's second away fixture of the league campaign. İsmail Kartal is targeting all three points with his available squad. Looking at the team's fixtures page, this match is followed by a home game on 13 December 2026 against Trabzonspor, who are currently 4th in the table.
How will the absences affect the team's setup?
The absence of four fundamental players may force İsmail Kartal into new experiments in certain positions. Who will start in goal in place of Mert Günok is a key question. The lack of Çağlar Söyüncü in central defense will test the team's defensive organization. In attack, deprived of the creativity of Marco Asensio and Kerem Aktürkoğlu, the team will need to distribute the goal-scoring burden among other forwards. This situation presents a test for maintaining the recent upward trend in performance. According to data on the team's stats page, they currently hold a +1 goal difference in the league.
Fenerbahçe SK aims to climb the table after navigating this challenging away fixture. Moving up from their current 8th position requires every match to be treated as critical. The league standings page clearly shows the gap to their rivals. The result from the Samsunspor match could be decisive for both morale and points as the first quarter of the season unfolds. How İsmail Kartal motivates and sets up his team in the absence of the injured players is being watched closely by the fans.
