Bakis' Burgos Belter Could Save His Zaragoza Career
Turkish striker Sinan Bakis may have turned his Real Zaragoza fortunes around with a stunning last-minute equalizer against Burgos after being on the transfer list.
Bakis Blasts His Way Back into Contention
Sinan Bakis has gone from zero to hero at Real Zaragoza with one swing of his right peg, potentially saving his Spanish adventure in the process.
The Turkish striker, who’s been about as popular as a vegetarian at a BBQ since arriving in Aragon, thundered home an absolute worldie in stoppage time against Burgos to rescue a point when all seemed lost. Talk about timing, eh?
From Transfer List to Team Sheet?
Before Sunday’s screamer, Bakis was firmly in the departure lounge:
- He hadn’t scored a proper goal for Zaragoza (his only previous ‘goal’ was a Toni Moya shot that deflected off him)
- The forward was widely expected to be shipped out in January
- He nearly returned to Turkey last summer before the deal collapsed
But football’s a funny old game. One moment you’re persona non grata, the next you’re the toast of the town. Manager Rubén Sellés has kept the faith when others wouldn’t give him the time of day, and that persistence might’ve just paid dividends.
January Plans Up in the Air
While Sebastian Kosa and Samed Bazdar are still nailed on to leave when the transfer window opens, Bakis’ situation has suddenly become more complex. That one strike, celebrated with raw emotion, has potentially rewritten his Zaragoza story.
The club’s bean counters will still note his hefty wage packet, mind you. If a decent offer lands on the table, they’ll certainly have a butcher’s hook at it. Much depends on teammate Dani Gómez’s situation too – if he departs, Bakis might find himself climbing up the pecking order.
The Million-Dollar Question
Is this the beginning of the Bakis renaissance or just a flash in the pan? The lad showed exactly the kind of finishing that made him a standout at Andorra before his Zaragoza move turned sour.
The supporters, who’ve been on his back for months, are now daring to dream this could be the turning point. For a club desperate for goals, perhaps they’ve had the answer in their squad all along.
January will tell us whether this thunderbolt was the start of something special or just one last hurrah before he’s on his bike. Either way, he’s given everyone something to think about.