When the Ball Was With Us, Our Plan Was to Avoid Early Turnovers in Türkiye

Konyaspor manager İlhan Palut said his team showed positive signs despite a 4-2 defeat at Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Süper Lig's second week, adding that the scoreline did not reflect their overall performance. Speaking at a post-match press conference, Palut acknowledged the team's poor display in the previous match, where they lost to a late penalty. "We talked about having a team identity regardless of the score today.

When the ball was with us, our plan was to avoid early turnovers. Fenerbahçe is a team that wants to regain the ball quickly. We discussed that we needed to respond by staying calm, he said.

Palut praised his side's high pressing when Fenerbahçe had possession. "Whenever we pressed high, we got results. We conceded goals we shouldn't have.

I received good signals. It may sound strange to say this after losing 4-2, but I am pleased with the high press. The only part I was unhappy with was our carelessness when defending behind the ball.

We should have been more aggressive, he added. On the referee's performance, Palut claimed Fenerbahçe defender Milan Škriniar committed a clear foul in the build-up. "Škriniar's position was 100 percent a foul.

He eliminated his opponent without even looking at the ball. It was a clear foul. Last week's penalty was not a penalty either.

In today's penalty position, the ball hit the player's hand, but I didn't see the clarity of it, so I can't say for certain — it could be a penalty. Apart from that, it wasn't a very difficult match for the referee, he said. Asked about Blaz Kramer's potential departure, Palut said: "Kramer played a considerable amount today.

He couldn't train at full capacity during camp due to injuries. He's trying to prepare. He's a valuable player, but how his contract expectations will be resolved is more important than our considerations.

Regarding transfer rumors linking Adil Demirbağ to Fenerbahçe, Palut said: I have no information. I had heard something about Başakşehir, but it didn't happen. Our board and football branch haven't discussed making a plan for Adil or looking at alternatives.