
A rock-solid backline proved the key building block as Galatasaray successfully defended their Super Lig title. In 38 top-flight fixtures, the Cimbom only conceded 26 goals, with long-serving Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera amassing a remarkable 17 clean sheets.
Gala, under the astute stewardship of head coach Okan Buruk, fully deserved to claim their 24th league crown. Led by Argentine striker Mauro Icardi, who scooped the Golden Boot with 25 goals, they set new standards at the top of the table, finishing with a record-breaking points tally of 102, winning 33 games (another Turkish top-flight record), and especially productive in the second half of the season, winning 17 games in a row between January and May – a record that has every chance of standing the test of time.
Despite such impressive numbers, Galatasaray did suffer a scare in the penultimate round of fixtures, losing 1-0 on their own patch to closest rivals Fenerbahce in a hot-tempered derby. Suddenly, a six-point lead at the top of the table was reduced to three. But Buruk’s men held firm, eventually sealing the deal with a 3-1 win at lowly Konyaspor.
It is to Fenerbahce’s immense credit that they kept up. Outstanding on their travels, especially in a ten-game winning streak, and only losing once all season, they frustratingly came undone by a number of draws against inferior opponents – though in fairness, their tally of 99 points would usually be more than enough for top spot. League runnersup in each of the past two seasons, it is now ten years since Fener last struck championship gold.
Esta historia es de la edición July 2024 de World Soccer.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 2024 de World Soccer.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar

"I'm dreaming of being the coach that will win the World Cup with an African country"
The Nigerian talks about breaking new ground as a title-winning coach in Europe, his managerial aspirations, and the coaching opportunities available for African managers on the continent

FOOTBALL IN SYRIA
A country torn apart by civil war is daring to dream of a brighter footballing future

"I was stuck in a welding bay for six hours. Fast-forward a year, I'm swapping shirts with Jordi Alba"
Less than two years ago, Calum Hall was playing part-time football in the Scottish Lowland League and working on a building site. Now he's a star of the Hong Kong Premier League and has lined up against some of football's biggest names...

Vissel Kobe chasing J. League history
The reigning champions are aiming to become the first team since Kashima Antlers 16 years ago to win a hat-trick of successive J. League crowns

TURNING 30
As Major League Soccer welcomes its 30th club ahead of its 30th season, Jon Arnold reflects on the last three decades of top-flight soccer in the United States

RIGHT TO DREAM: PART TWO EST
In September 2021, World Soccer examined the ORD'S work of the Right to Dream academy in Ghana and Denmark. Now, more than three years on, the project has expanded even further...

FISHING FOR SUCCESS
Ambitious young English coach Charlie Trout has high hopes for the Puerto Rico national team

"Football has the power to heal a war-torn country"
The Ukraine legend, now in his role as president of the Ukrainian FA, discusses how the country is using football as a symbol of unity and hope amid the ongoing devastating effects of war

Denis Law's Italian job
The Scottish legend's year at Torino offers a stark reminder of how much football has evolved

THE ULTIMATE UNDERDOGS
How French minnows Brest became the story of this season's Champions League