Sports Writers’ Assessments of Beşiktaş’s 3-0 Victory Over Erzurumspor
Beşiktaş secured a convincing 3-0 win against Erzurumspor FK in the fifth week of the Süper Lig. Although the scoreboard reflected a comfortable result, the match also produced several controversial refereeing decisions, disallowed goals and tactical details that attracted considerable attention from sports commentators.
Beşiktaş Controlled the Match From the Opening Minutes
Cem Dizdar emphasized that Erzurumspor’s passive first-half display should not simply be interpreted as a lack of ambition from the visitors. According to him, Beşiktaş did not allow its opponent to play. The black-and-white side applied intense pressure, restricted passing options and forced Erzurumspor to defend almost continuously.
Beşiktaş created enough opportunities to score more than once during the opening period. The team’s attacking intensity was so high that the visitors were unable to breathe comfortably, while the home side came close to adding a third goal before the break. However, this high tempo also required careful energy management. Vincenzo Italiano was seen urging his players to remain calm, aware that the match still had a long way to go.
After the interval, Beşiktaş adopted a more controlled approach. Rather than constantly forcing forward passes, the team circulated possession patiently and even used goalkeeper Nübel when necessary. This approach helped the hosts preserve control and prevent Erzurumspor from finding a way back into the contest.
Salih Özcan played a particularly important role in this structure. His positioning in front of the defense prevented the visitors from developing attacks and allowed Beşiktaş’s more creative players to operate with greater freedom. The midfield balance between Salih Özcan, Orkun Kökçü and Junior Olaitan was one of the clearest strengths of the match.
Strong Tactical Organization and Effective Wing Play
Güntekin Onay described the result as a natural outcome for Beşiktaş against an opponent of Erzurumspor’s level, but he also underlined that the victory was not achieved through complacency. The team maintained its discipline, intensity and desire to win throughout the game.
The home side stood out with its pressing, fast combinations and variety in attack. The wing-backs constantly moved forward, creating additional passing lanes and forcing Erzurumspor’s defensive line to stretch. This made it difficult for the visitors to maintain a compact shape.
Onay also pointed to the growing influence of Italiano’s tactical ideas. In his view, Beşiktaş currently looks like one of the strongest teams in the league both when it has possession and when it is defending without the ball. The players appear to understand their responsibilities more clearly each week, while the team’s positional structure has become increasingly reliable.
Orkun Kökçü was praised for his ability to think quickly and release the ball before pressure arrives. His speed of decision-making gives Beşiktaş an important advantage in midfield. Junior Olaitan, meanwhile, continues to mature and has begun to combine his energy with a more refined passing range.
Salih Özcan’s performance was also singled out. His positioning, anticipation and defensive discipline provided the foundation for Beşiktaş’s dominance. He regularly closed spaces, intercepted dangerous passes and made it difficult for Erzurumspor to progress through the center.
The wing-backs, Amir Murillo and Kassoum Ouattara, also fulfilled their roles effectively. They contributed both in the interior channels and along the touchlines, allowing Beşiktaş to change the direction of its attacks quickly. Emmanuel Agbadou and Emirhan Topçu formed a dependable partnership at the back, making few mistakes and keeping Erzurumspor away from dangerous areas.
Trossard’s Influence and the Disallowed Goals
Leandro Trossard was widely considered one of the best players on the pitch. He scored his first goal for Beşiktaş, helped organize attacks and contributed defensively in midfield. His technical quality and football intelligence made him a constant threat.
Trossard also had another goal ruled out, a decision that generated debate. Vaclav Cerný faced a similar situation after one of his efforts was disallowed. Several commentators argued that the contact between the players was ordinary for a physical duel and did not justify canceling the goal.
Turgay Demir noted that Beşiktaş effectively scored five times, although only three efforts were officially counted. He accepted the handball decision on one occasion but questioned the cancellation of Cerný’s goal. In his assessment, minor contact between players during a challenge should not automatically lead to a foul, especially when neither player gains an unfair advantage.
The refereeing decisions became one of the most discussed aspects of the match. Demir also highlighted an apparent inconsistency: a goal was disallowed after a physical challenge, while a later incident in which Oh appeared to be brought down inside the penalty area did not result in a penalty. This created the impression that Beşiktaş had to overcome not only its opponent but also a series of questionable decisions.
A Match That Increased Confidence
The result was especially significant because Beşiktaş managed to produce another convincing home performance despite the absence of Dusan Vlahovic. The victories against Çorum and Erzurumspor demonstrated that the team can continue scoring and maintaining a high level of intensity even when important attacking players are unavailable.
Beşiktaş’s current strength lies in the combination of enthusiasm and structure. The team does not rely solely on individual brilliance. Instead, its midfielders move intelligently, the wing-backs provide width, the defenders remain composed and the forwards press immediately after losing possession.
The match also showed that Italiano’s squad is gradually developing a recognizable identity. Beşiktaş wants to dominate through possession but is equally capable of attacking quickly when space appears. This flexibility makes the team difficult to defend against, particularly at home.
Another positive feature was the side’s reaction after scoring. Beşiktaş did not retreat excessively or lose concentration. The players continued to search for additional goals while keeping their defensive organization intact. This balance is important for a team that aims to challenge consistently throughout the season.
The midfield trio deserves special attention. Orkun Kökçü offers creativity and progressive passing, Olaitan adds mobility and technical quality, while Salih Özcan protects the defensive structure. Their complementary characteristics allow Beşiktaş to switch between controlled possession and aggressive forward play.
The defensive line also benefited from the team’s overall organization. Because Erzurumspor struggled to escape its own half, Beşiktaş’s central defenders were rarely exposed to open-space situations. This reduced the risk of counterattacks and helped the home side maintain control until the final whistle.
From the supporters’ perspective, the atmosphere was another major positive. The crowd responded to the team’s energy, and the players appeared to feed off that support. The connection between the stands and the pitch strengthened as Beşiktaş continued to create chances.
Despite the controversy surrounding several decisions, the general conclusion from the commentators was clear: Beşiktaş looked confident, disciplined and increasingly settled. The team combined technical quality with physical intensity, while its tactical identity became more visible with every passing week.
If the squad can maintain this level of concentration and avoid unnecessary emotional reactions to refereeing decisions, it will be capable of collecting more comfortable home victories against similar opponents. The 3-0 result was therefore more than a routine win; it was another indication that Beşiktaş is building momentum and developing into a well-organized, competitive side under Italiano.