Emotional statements from Altay Bayindir before the match

National goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who plays for Manchester United, made statements ahead of the UEFA Europa League match against Fenerbahce on Thursday. Altay Bayindir, who transferred from Fenerbahce to Premier League giant Manchester United at the beginning of last season for a fee of 5 million euros, will experience the excitement of facing his former team.
Fenerbahce and Manchester United will face each other on Thursday, October 24, at Ulker Stadium in the third week of the UEFA Europa League.
The national goalkeeper made emotional remarks to TRT Spor ahead of this special match for him.
“I LEFT ON GOOD TERMS, THEY WILL WELCOME ME WELL”
I was happy when we were drawn against Fenerbahce. It’s a single game, either at home or away. It feels strange to call this an away match. Actually, it doesn’t feel like an away game to me. I’ll just be in a different locker room. I left Fenerbahce on good terms. I believe the fans will welcome me warmly. Playing against Fenerbahce is special for me. Not every player gets this chance. I will be up against the team I captained for years, the team I shared many good times with, and sometimes collected painful memories. On the field, you always have to act in the interest of the team you are playing for. But for me, this match will be very special and meaningful. I experienced indescribable emotions at Fenerbahce, and I think one more will be added to them.
“I DIDN’T CONCEDE A GOAL THROUGH MISTAKES FROM MY HANDS OR FEET”
In my last season before leaving, I had surgery. I had many injuries. Sometimes the long wait for the championship created excitement and pressure among the fans. This could negatively affect the players. You are 1-0 down in the 20th minute, the match can turn around, but the fans’ demands can be challenging. Football is not an easy game. The opponent is also playing to beat you. During my years at Fenerbahce, I never conceded a goal due to a mistake from my hands or feet. I genuinely didn’t make any major individual mistakes that led to a goal. I believe I contributed to my team in many matches. The criticism comes from the fans’ long-standing desire for a championship.
“I REMEMBER GOING HOME AND CRYING”
I was in goal for 4 of the 11 years of the championship drought. Of course, I would have loved to win the league title. I also remember going home after a lost match and crying alone. That’s how much I embraced it.

“THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN FENERBAHCE’S HISTORY”

In every match I played for Fenerbahce, I always fought without giving up, trying to make the fans happy. I am very proud of that. I had great times. I also had a very smooth departure. Such a departure has never happened in Fenerbahce’s history.
“SLEEPLESS NIGHTS DURING THE DEPARTURE PROCESS”

I had sleepless nights during my departure process. I did the same when I was at Ankaragucu. A year before my contract was up, many big clubs called me, but I said, ‘Talk to the president.’ You must always respect the club you are under contract with. In the end, I met with the Fenerbahce president. He talked with the club, and everything went as it should. At that time, I was offered a contract where I could leave at the end of the season for free, but I didn’t accept it.

I could have left Fenerbahce for free. I could have signed with any club. There were also offers from Europe, but that wouldn’t have suited my character. Despite the reactions, I didn’t accept it. This is Altay’s character. The next day, I went to see our president. There was a very good financial offer. I told him, ‘Let’s extend the contract.’ That’s how the process unfolded. Our president explained all of this at the airport.
“I DIDN’T PLAY WITH THE SAME DEFENSE FOR 5-6 CONSECUTIVE MATCHES”

Our Fenerbahce really has a very good squad. There are good and star players. The backup players also have high capacity and are good players. During my time, the defense was constantly changing. I didn’t play with the same defenders for 5-6 consecutive matches. Some center-backs want the ball at their feet in certain positions. A player’s character, their positioning, the pass they’ll make… There are many different types of players. This variability affects the goalkeeper too.
“OUR TACTICS WERE FIGURED OUT DURING JESUS’ ERA”

With Jorge Jesus, we made a very strong start in the first half of the season. Everyone started watching the matches comfortably. We were good in the first half, but in the second half, the opposing teams started to figure out our system.