Football records and statistics in Turkey

The title race in the Turkish Süper Lig starts on Aug. 13 under the pandemic shadow and a major change in rules on foreign players.

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Defending champion Beşiktaş hosts Rizespor in Istanbul in the Süper Lig's first game, hoping to pick up from where it left off.

Galatasaray claimed a 2-0 away win against Gençlerbirliği on May 2 in a Turkish Süper Lig game.

Playing in Ankara's Eryaman stadium, Galatasaray's Halil Dervişoülu fired a classy long-shot to break the deadlock in the 44th minute.

The Istanbul football club doubled the gap when Emre Akbaba made a close-range finish in minute 53.

Turkish football player Umut Bulut has broken all-time record for Turkish Süper Lig appearance with 504 matches.

Bulut took the pitch in the starting 11 when his club Yeni Malatyaspor hosted Ittifak Holding Konyaspor on Feb. 20.

Yeni Malatyaspor said on Twitter that the club from Turkey's east awarded the veteran striker with a plate to honor him before the Konyaspor match.

Following Okan Buruk's exit, Medipol Başakşehir has reached an "agreement in principle" for Aykut Kocaman to take over as manager, the club said on Jan. 31.

Details of the 55-year-old Turkish manager's deal will be disclosed on Feb. 1, the reigning Süper Lig champions said on Twitter.

Alanyaspor beat Beşiktaş 2-1 at home on Dec. 13 to stay atop the Turkish Süper Lig standings.

Anastasios Bakasetas successfully converted a penalty shot in the 26th minute to give a 1-0 lead to the home side.

The Greek international doubled the score in the 79th minute to make things easier for the league leader.

This week reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray are itching to shake off Oct 27's derby loss in the top-tier Super League.