Konyaspor made an emphatic start to the 2024–2025 Süper Lig season with a commanding 4-1 away victory over newly promoted Eyüpspor at Pendik Stadium. The match, officiated by referee Batuhan Kolak, saw the visitors seize control early on and never relinquish their advantage, thanks to a double from striker Umut Nayir, a penalty conversion by Enis Bardhi, and a late goal from Adil Demirbağ.
Eyüpspor’s only response came from Halil Akbunar early in the second half, but it proved to be a brief spark in a game largely dictated by the Konya side. The result gives Konyaspor a valuable three points to open the season, while Eyüpspor’s first-ever top-flight match ended in disappointment and no points.
Line-ups and Tactical Setup
Eyüpspor fielded Berke Özer in goal, with a backline of Robin Yalçın, Claro, Mujakic, and Talha Ülvan. Melih Kabasakal and Kerem Demirbay anchored the midfield, supported by Emre Akbaba, Serdar Gürler, Denis Dragus, and Mame Thiam in attacking roles.
Konyaspor’s starting XI included Bahadır Han Güngördü between the sticks, defended by Yhoan, Adil Demirbağ, Bazoer, and Guilherme. Jevtovic and Melih İbrahimoğlu patrolled central midfield, while Aleksic, Ndao, and Bardhi supported lone striker Umut Nayir.
Early Chances and Opening Goal
The home side threatened first in the second minute when Serdar Gürler broke down the right flank and delivered a cross to the far post. Denis Dragus met the ball with a first-time shot, but Konyaspor goalkeeper Bahadır Han reacted quickly, diving low to his right to keep the score level.
Just minutes later, the visitors struck. In the fifth minute, Melih İbrahimoğlu surged down the left wing and delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the penalty area. Positioned near the penalty spot, Umut Nayir executed a delicate looping header that sailed beyond Berke Özer into the net, giving Konyaspor a 1-0 lead.
Konyaspor Doubles Their Advantage
The momentum remained with the visitors, and in the 21st minute they extended their lead. Andzouana raced down the right channel, reaching the byline before cutting the ball back toward the edge of the six-yard box. Rising above his marker, Umut Nayir powered another header past the helpless Eyüpspor goalkeeper, making it 2-0 and completing his brace before the halfway mark of the first half.
VAR Drama and Bardhi’s Penalty
Eyüpspor’s evening took another turn for the worse in the 32nd minute. After Bardhi threaded a pass to Ndao on the edge of the penalty area, the winger unleashed a shot that struck Claro’s arm inside the box. The referee initially allowed play to continue, but following a VAR review on the pitchside monitor, Batuhan Kolak awarded a penalty to Konyaspor.
Enis Bardhi stepped up and coolly sent Berke Özer the wrong way, slotting the ball into the bottom corner in the 33rd minute to make it 3-0. The visitors carried this comfortable advantage into the halftime break, leaving Eyüpspor with a mountain to climb.
Eyüpspor’s Response and Late Blow
The hosts emerged from the tunnel with renewed energy, and their efforts were rewarded in the 51st minute when Halil Akbunar found space and finished clinically to reduce the deficit to 3-1. For a brief period, Eyüpspor pushed forward in search of a second goal, but Konyaspor’s defense, marshaled by Adil Demirbağ and Bazoer, held firm.
As Eyüpspor committed more players forward, gaps began to appear at the back. In the 79th minute, Konyaspor delivered the final blow. From a set-piece situation, Adil Demirbağ rose highest to meet the cross and headed home, restoring the three-goal cushion and sealing a comprehensive 4-1 away victory.
Key Takeaways and Looking Ahead
Konyaspor’s clinical finishing, particularly from Umut Nayir, and their defensive organization were decisive factors in the win. The inclusion of creative midfielders like Bardhi and Aleksic provided a steady supply of chances, while the backline effectively neutralized Eyüpspor’s main attacking threats for most of the match.
For Eyüpspor, the debut in Türkiye’s top tier was a harsh lesson in the demands of Süper Lig football. Defensive lapses, particularly in aerial duels, proved costly. However, moments of attacking promise — such as Dragus’ early chance and Akbunar’s goal — suggest the potential for improvement with experience at this level.
Konyaspor will take confidence from this performance as they prepare for their next fixture, aiming to build early-season momentum. Eyüpspor, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly, address their defensive vulnerabilities, and adapt to the pace and physicality of the league if they hope to secure points in upcoming matches.
