Alexander Nübel has gotten off to a dream start at Besiktas Istanbul. The former Bayern goalkeeper has kept a clean sheet in his first three competitive matches and has already become a fan favorite. The Turkish media, too, are showering the 29-year-old with praise.
For Nübel, the move to Turkey appears to have already paid off. After several years with limited playing time at FC Bayern and three years on loan at VfB Stuttgart, the goalkeeper is now under contract with Besiktas Istanbul.
His first appearances in the jersey of the storied club have left little to be desired. Besiktas has won all three competitive matches so far with Nübel between the posts. Even more impressive: The goalkeeper hasn’t conceded a single goal.
Nübel emerged as the hero, particularly in the 1-0 away victory in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Europa League. Although Besiktas had to play a man down starting in the 71st minute of their match against the Czech club FC Hradec Kralove, the German goalkeeper kept a clean sheet and made a total of 13 saves.
Turkish press celebrates Nübel
After the final whistle, the Besiktas fans who had traveled with the team celebrated their new goalkeeper and chanted his name. The Turkish media also had strong words for Nübel afterward, outdoing one another with their praise. The newspaper Sabah wrote : “Nübel caused a sensation at Besiktas!”
NTV Spor even called the 29-year-old a “phenomenon.” The Turkish daily Hürriyet asked , “What would have happened without Nübel?” and concluded that the victory was “entirely thanks to Nübel.”
But Nübel wasn’t praised just for his saves. Fotomac highlighted the goalkeeper’s precise long passes, while Fanatik is already certain that Nübel “will be a great help in the long run.”
The German national team player himself is keeping a low profile after his dream start. “It’s a great feeling. I’ve had an excellent relationship with everyone since I arrived. I want to keep it that way. I want to help my team by performing to the best of my ability,” Nübel explained.
Beşiktaş’s technical director, Eduard Graf, was also impressed by the goalkeeper’s performances so far: “Alex has proven his outstanding qualities and importance to us in all three competitive matches.”
So far, everything suggests that the move to Besiktas was the right decision—both for the top Turkish club and for Nübel himself.