Fenerbahçe SK have failed to show the expected performance in the first five weeks of the Süper Lig, sitting 11th with just 7 points. The team, which challenged for the title with 99 points last season, now trails leaders Galatasaray by 6 points.

Club president Aziz Yıldırım declared an "absolute championship" goal upon his return to the role after eight years. However, the team has been unable to replicate last season's effective play. Under İsmail Kartal in the 2023-24 season, Fenerbahçe averaged 57% possession per match, converting that advantage into wins in 24 out of 29 games.

This season, they failed to win any of the three matches in the first five weeks where they had 50% or more possession. They lost 2-1 to Gençlerbirliği with 71% average possession, lost 2-1 to Beşiktaş in the derby with 50%, and drew 0-0 away to Gaziantep with 68%. The 0-0 draw against Gaziantep FK on 14 September 2026 reflected the team's current situation.

DROP IN SCORING EFFICIENCY

Fenerbahçe scored 8 goals in the first five weeks, dropping their average to 1.6 goals per game. The team took 64 shots inside the penalty area for those 8 goals, while failing to score from 22 shots outside the box. Their total shot-to-goal ratio from 86 attempts was 0.093. Last season, the team scored 48 of their 99 goals after the 50th minute, but this season they have not scored a single goal after the 50th minute in the first five weeks. Their latest goals came in the 49th minute, from Greenwood against Konyaspor and Oğuz against Samsunspor.

Issues with squad quality and tactical execution are apparent. The effective attacking line from last season, featuring players like Ferdi, Fred, İrfan Can, Szymanski, Tadić, and Džeko, has been weakened by Asensio's injury. Ake and Greenwood remain almost the only players in the starting XI with the technical capacity to create chances.

Fenerbahçe currently sit 11th in the league with 7 points and will travel to face 14th-placed Başakşehir on 6 December 2026. Amara Diouf and Jayden Oosterwolde are sidelined with injuries, while Vedat Muriqi, with two goals in the first five matches, is the team's top scorer. Full squad details are available on the squad page.

This story first appeared at Hürriyet Spor