Bardakcı cited after the derby
The disciplinary papers are in after Galatasaray 2–1 Fenerbahçe. Both clubs have been referred to the PFDK, and Abdülkerim Bardakcı and Archie Brown have been cited for "saldırı", an attack (7). The referral for Bardakcı came with measures attached, which is the part that matters for the next few weeks (4).
Galatasaray are top on 22 points from 9 games, and you may lose a starting centre-back right as the Champions League run gets busy.
Singo comes in at centre-back
Okan Buruk is reportedly preparing to reshuffle the back line, with Singo stepping into the defence after Bardakcı's referral (4). Given the timing, it is the obvious move.
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Konyaspor away on Friday, 18:00 CET, is the next fixture.
Jakobs quits Senegal at 27
Ismail Jakobs has ended his Senegal career. He is 27. The left-back says he is stepping away to focus on his club career (1) (2) (6) (8).
"Milli takıma genç bir çocuk olarak geldim, şimdi ise bir adam olarak veda ediyorum," he said, which translates to: I came to the national team as a young boy, now I say goodbye as a man (1).
For you that means no international breaks on the other side of the continent, and less mileage on the legs of your first-choice left-back.
El Mala on the January list
Galatasaray are looking at Köln winger Said El Mala for the winter window (3). He is 20, German, and has 4 goals and 1 assist in 8 games this season (3). He is reported to be valued at €50m (3).
Unconfirmed, but it is a name to know before January.
Buruk's rivals keep changing coaches
Buruk has won the last four Süper Lig titles with Galatasaray (5). In that same stretch, Beşiktaş have made 8 coaching changes, Fenerbahçe 5 and Trabzonspor 5, 18 in total (5).
Galatasaray are top again on 22 points.
Liverpool go early on Batrakov
Liverpool have made the first move for Batrakov and are coming to Istanbul for the Fenerbahçe match (9). Their trip also lines up with Galatasaray's Stuttgart game a day earlier (9).
Stuttgart come to you on Tuesday, November 3, 18:45 CET.
Fan reactions
The subreddit is split between the two big stories. Batrakov's agent, Vladimir Kuzmichev, has been quoted calling Galatasaray a great club and saying a 7–8 year stay would be no problem, and fans are lapping it up. Jakobs' Senegal retirement is being shared as a straight win for the club, while a thread on Super Lig card counts lands right next to the derby referrals. Batrakov thread
