Abdülkerim Bardakcı
GalatasarayCB
Ball-Playing Centre Back
Sep 7, 1994 (31)
Left
6'1"
179 lb
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Heading chance missed
Bardakci generated one shot (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Australia.
Analysis: Bardakci came inches away from pulling Turkiye level in the first half, rising to meet Hakan Calhanoglu's corner in the 30th minute and hammering a header right at goalkeeper Patrick Beach in what stood as Turkiye's best chance to make it 1-1. He also came up with a key block to deny an Australian effort after the break, though he looked shaky under Australia's high press and was dispossessed multiple times in his own half. That missed header loomed large in the end as Turkiye failed to capitalize on their opportunities, putting too few of their 30 shots on target in a costly attacking display.
Set to start in central defense
Bardakci has been named in Turkiye's World Cup squad and is expected to partner Merih Demiral at center-back throughout the competition.
Analysis: Bardakci ended the club season having been a key defensive presence for Galatasaray, where he played alongside some of the best players in Europe in a squad that competed at the top of the Super Lig throughout the campaign. Bardakci brings composure on the ball, aerial ability and the tactical intelligence that makes him an ideal partner for the more physical Merih Demiral, and his Champions League experience with Galatasaray gives him the big-game credentials to perform under pressure at the World Cup. He contibuted one goal and one assist in 45 appearances across all competitions this season and heads into the tournament as an important and underrated component of what could be a well-organised Turkish defensive unit.
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