Ozil stretchered off as Fenerbahce nightmare continues

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:44 CDT
• 3 min read

Mesut Ozil’s difficult start to life at Fenerbahce continued on Thursday as his side were held to a 1-1 draw against Antalyaspor in the Super Lig and he was carried off injured.

It should have been a match custom made for the former Arsenal star, who arrived at the club in January, given that their opponents were content to sit deep and frustrate.

Ozil, though, was unable to inspire his side to anything more than a point. Worse, he left the field on a stretcher.

Earlier, he had missed a sitter from the edge of the box, with the visiting goalkeeper having left his net empty. Having taken a poor first touch, he fired wide. It was his only shot in the match.

The playmaker touched the ball on 53 occasions but beyond that he was unable to offer much in the way of creative spark. Ozil retained possession well, only losing the ball on nine occasions and completing 93% of his passes, yet these offered little penetration.

It was left to substitute Enner Valencia to dig Fener out. The striker came off the break, scored the equaliser and created another big chance.

Ozil, meanwhile, record a 6.2 FootballCritic rating. It was the lowest of any of the starting players in his side.

How has Ozil played for Fenerbahce?

Having been out of action for nearly a year when he arrived in January, he has struggled to gain match rhythm.

His debut came off the bench against Hatayspor in early February, and while Ozil had a hand in a goal in that game, he has otherwise been limited.

Indeed, in the seven matches Ozil has played for Fenerbahce, none have seen him score a 7.0 FootballCritic score or better. His best mark was a 6.9 against Goztepe, which is the only full 90 minutes he has played since 27th February, 2020.

The Istanbul giants’ record with Ozil in their ranks, meanwhile, is distinctly modest. They have played seven matches, won three, drawn one and lost three.

Fenerbahce, who are third in the Super Lig, having been top when Ozil joined, are next in action against Konyaspor on Sunday.