Wounded Beşiktaş looking for improvement in Karabük

Turkish Super League leader Beşiktaş will try to redirect its focus to the league following a traumatic loss against archrival Fenerbahçe last week, when it visits a tough Kardemir Karabük on Feb. 10.

Beşiktaş has been involved in a cold war with Fenerbaçhe since a Ziraat Turkey Cup game on Feb. 5 that was marked by a major brawl between players from both sides that continued in the dressing rooms. 

The match turned in the 41st minute when Fener's Robin van Persie and Beşiktaş defender Dusko Tosic confronted each other. The home side's Serbian defender failed to maintain his composure, head-butting the Dutch forward. The referee ejected Tosic with a red card and gave van Persie a yellow for part in the incident.
Beşiktaş's new signing Matej Mitrovic, a Croatian international, is expected to replace Tosic, who has been sent to the Turkish football's disciplinary board for his actions during the game along with van Persie and Beşiktaş coach Şenol Güneş. 

Meanwhile, the Beşiktaş management refuted reports that it had found Oğuzhan Özyakup unable to captain the team. Oğuzhan argued all game long with van Persie, while failing to calm down his teammates. 
Beşiktaş chairman Firket Orman "apologized for any wrongdoings" committed by his club against Fenerbahçe. 

Fenerbahçe Deputy Chairman Şekip Mosturoğlu said he accepted Orman's apology, but added that he did not know whether the Fenerbahçe community would accept it.

"I apologize on my behalf. If I had a hand in these events, just like Fikret Orman, I apologize," he added.
Fenerbahçe has already printed a T-shirt with a photo of van Persie reacting to the sole goal against Beşiktaş in the "do-or-die" game. 

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