İsmail Kartal Took Full Responsibility for His Team's 2-1 Derby Defeat to Beşiktaş, Saying the Loss Was Entirely on the Coaching Staff

Speaking at a press conference after the match, Kartal admitted his side fell short of expectations. "We played below expectations tonight, and we are sorry for that. We are the only ones responsible for this defeat.

We take responsibility with our team," he said. "What upsets us is that we could not show our fans good football at home. We will learn a lesson from this." Kartal noted that Fenerbahçe, a team that thrives on possession, failed to control the ball and resorted to long balls, which allowed the opposition to create chances from turnovers.

He also criticized officiating, claiming that in four league matches, four penalties that should have been awarded in Fenerbahçe's favor were not given. "I leave the discretionary calls, their behavior on the pitch, and their decisions to you," he said. Kartal explained that in the second half he deployed Kerem as a second striker in a number 10 role to win the match, but the team was vulnerable in transition and conceded the second goal. Asked who decided to part ways with Anderson Talisca rather than Nelson Semedo due to foreign player limits, Kartal said the transfer committee worked during the summer window and consulted him, with decisions made together with the management.