Istanbul Basaksehir go winless for two months as Piatek resurgence is halted

The short-lived Istanbul Basaksehir is experiencing one of the worst moments in its history. Çagdas Atan's men, who became part of the City Group in 2024, have not made a good start in this new partnership. And yet, at the start of the season, everything seemed to be going smoothly for the Basaksehir Arena club.

Since 27th September, when they beat Sivasspor 2-1, they have not won again. Therefore, on Wednesday, it will be two months without a win for Atan's side, who arrived at the end of September with the opposite feeling, having won nine of their first 12 official matches and only one defeat against Samsunspor.

In the nine matches played in the last two months, Istanbul Basaksehir have only managed to salvage four draws, while losing the other five. In the Turkish Super League, Atan's side drew with Kayserispor (1-1), Eyupspor (1-1) and Besiktas (0-0), and lost to Trabzosnpor (1-0), Konyaspor (3-2) and Gaziantep (3-0). In addition, in the Conference League they were beaten by Rapid Vienna (1-2) and Celje (5-1), and only avoided defeat when they faced Copenhagen (2-2).

Beyond this home game against Moldovan side Petrocub Hincesti, in which the Ottomans are heavy favourites, Istanbul Basaksehir can get back to winning ways with three more consecutive games in front of their home fans. Atan's side face Göztepe and Hatayspor in the Turkish Super League, as well as a European clash against surprise package Heidenheim in Turkey.

 

November 27, 2024

Piatek's flying start fades away

Istanbul Basaksehir's bad momentum has been felt by Krzysztof Piatek, who in Turkey had finally been able to rediscover the level he showed in his early days in Poland and in the campaign of his breakthrough in Italy. Since his arrival at Milan in the 2018-19 winter transfer window, Piatek had failed to reach the ten-goal mark in any of his subsequent clubs (Hertha, Fiorentina and Salernitana).

He did surpass that figure in the 2023-24 season, when he scored 17 goals to help him reach the European Championship with Poland. This season he had also started brilliantly and, despite only finding the net in two of his last seven games, he has now scored 12 goals and is aiming to improve on last season's tally.

Goalscorers live on streaks, but also generally on the good momentum of their teams. The Istanbul side's return to winning ways is sure to help rediscover the best version of a player who this season has shared his goals between La Fiorita (3 in 2 games), Iberia 1999, Alanyaspor, Antalyaspor (3), Rapid Vienna, Kayserispor, Konyaspor and Copenhagen.