For now, objectively, we know very little about Semih Kilicsoy. We certainly know, because Pisa and Turin have ascertained it, that Cagliari’s Turkish striker knows how to kick well on goal. Even in tight spaces, even in contrast, even out of balance. The truth, however, is that we are talking about an unknown only for those who look little beyond the great system of Serie A and the other major European leagues. Kilicsoy’s numbers, in fact, weren’t bad at all: 14 goals in two editions of the Super Lig with Besiktas – and in fact the Bianconeri from Istanbul, who couldn’t guarantee him a starting place, only loaned him out, in order to monitor him.
And so Kilicsoy is one of the most interesting young talents to emerge from Turkish football in recent years. Despite his very young age, he has already gone through significant stages in his professional career. Born in Istanbul on 15 August 2005, he trained in the youth sector of Beşiktas, a club with a long tradition in youth development, where he quickly attracted attention for his technical qualities and an innate sense of goal. Since the youth categories, his performance has been above average, so much so that he has become one of the most followed prospects in the country. The real turning point of his career comes in the 2023/24 season, when he manages to establish himself even among the professionals. After dominating the Under 19 championship, finishing with impressive numbers and the title of top scorer, Kılıçsoy was permanently added to the Beşiktaş first team. In the Süper Lig, despite the competitive context and the pressure of a top club, he managed to carve out space for himself and leave his mark with eleven goals in the championship. A particularly significant figure if we consider the age: reaching double figures at 18, and in a first division championship, is a significant exploit. Those goals are not the result of chance, but the result of a combination of instinct, offensive mobility and ability to attack deep, qualities that make him a modern attacker and adaptable to multiple game systems.
The 2023/24 season thus becomes Kılıçsoy’s calling card on the European stage. His performances attracted the interest of several clubs, including Cagliari, who decided to focus on him for the following season. The transfer to Italy, which took place with the loan with right of redemption formula, represents a strategic choice both for the Sardinian club and for the player. For Cagliari, Kılıçsoy is an investment in talent and the future; for Semih, Serie A is a fundamental testing ground to compete with a more tactical, physical and organized football than the Süper Lig. The impact with the Italian championship is not immediate, as often happens with young attackers who arrive from abroad. The first months are characterized by a gradual adaptation: measured minutes, often starting from the bench, and constant work to understand the defensive mechanisms and tactical demands of Italian football. However, in the last few games, Kılıçsoy has started to reap the benefits of this growth path, finding the way to the goal in two consecutive games. Two goals that not only had a decisive impact on the results of Pisacane’s team, but showed greater confidence in movements, in the choice of plays and in the management of the key moments of the match.
These two consecutive goals against Cagliari represent an important signal, especially from a mental point of view. For a young striker, confidence is a determining factor, and being able to score consistently, even if in a small sample of games, can radically change the perception of himself and the way in which he is considered within the team. Kılıçsoy demonstrated his ability to exploit the opportunities given, confirming the coolness in front of goal that he had already shown in Türkiye. His ability to be in the right place at the right time remains one of his main strengths. From a technical point of view, Kılıçsoy is a versatile attacker. He can act as a central striker, but also as a second striker or as an offensive winger, thanks to good speed, effective ball control and decent dribbling in tight spaces. This ductility allows it to adapt to different modules and offer alternative solutions to coaches. In Serie A, however, the need to improve some aspects also emerges, such as continuity over the 90 minutes and the ability to withstand physical duels with more experienced defenders. These are physiological limits for a player of his age, which are part of an ongoing maturation process.
The comparison between the performance in the Süper Lig and that in Serie A is inevitable. The Turkish league tends to be more open and less rigid tactically, often offering greater space to attackers. In Italy, on the contrary, the defenses are more organized and the attention to detail is obsessive. This makes each goal more “expensive” in terms of effort and reading the game. Another aspect to consider is international experience with the Turkish youth national teams. Kılıçsoy has often been a protagonist with the Under 21s, accumulating matches (eleven), goals (six) and responsibilities that contribute to his overall growth. The comparison with opponents from different football schools enriches his technical and mental baggage, better preparing him for club challenges. This parallel path between club and national team is often an important indicator for assessing the maturity of a young talent.
Looking to the future, much will depend on the continuity he manages to find in Cagliari. If the two consecutive goals represent the start of a longer series, Kılıçsoy could become an increasingly central resource in the rossoblù project. The club, for its part, will have the task of managing its growth without rushing ahead, finding the right balance between ranking needs and the player’s individual development. In short, Semih Kılıçsoy is in a crucial phase of his career. The peaks already achieved, such as the eleven goals in the 2023/24 Turkish championship, demonstrate real potential, while the recent goals against Cagliari indicate that the process of adapting to Serie A is proceeding in the right direction. His path is still in progress, but the signs are encouraging: talent, room for growth and a mentality that seems ready to face the challenges of European football. If he manages to transform these flashes into continuity, Kılıçsoy will be able to establish himself and not remain just one of the many lost bets attempted by Italian clubs.
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