Football Season Guide

After 2 years in the First League Goztepe are back in the top flight. They finished 2nd in TFF First League last season and this was enough for direct promotion. Goztepe had the fewest defeats last season W21 D7 L6. This was hardly surprising as the team had by far the best defence in the second division. Conceded only 20 goals in 34 matches. Kept 21 clean sheets. Coach Stoilov took charge only last November and his appointment turned Goztepe into a mean defensive team. Stoilov has the reputation of making the teams he commands very tough to score against. More of the same will be needed for sure now as Goztepe try to establish back in the Super Lig. No major departures occurred so far in the summer and if anything the squad looks stronger at the start of the new campaign. Striker Romulo came last winter and scored 5 goals in just 12 starts. He’s staying this season too with most of the hopes in attack focused on him and Lundqvist. Continue to lack depth in attack and adding new players in that area in the coming weeks can be expected. The same is valid for the midfield line where the only notable new arrival is the young Matsuki. Kayan and Dennis were solid enough last season in midfield but neither has enough creative ideas to be helping in attack. They are both more defensive-minded players. The one area of the team that looks full of options and ready is unsurprisingly the defensive line. Not only all regulars from last season stayed put but coach Stoilov added 3 new full-backs (Miroshi, Silva and Sangare) and an experienced new centre-back (Günter). Stoilov likes to use a 5-man defence. He also often uses natural full-backs for the wide midfield roles so Sangare could be utilised in such a position often this season.