In the groove: Europe's longest goalscoring streaks
Friday, February 13, 2015
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Fernandão has scored in eight straight league games for Turkish side Bursaspor, but he has a distance to go to match the greatest hot streaks in European football.
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"When I think of the word 'goal', the first person that comes to mind is Fernandão," said Bursaspor's Portuguese midfielder Josué, with the Brazilian forward having hit peak form in recent weeks in Turkey.
In his second season in Europe since joining from Clube Atlético Paranaense, the 27-year-old Fernandão tops the Süper Lig scorers chart with 13 goals from 18 games, with his strike in Sunday's 3-1 win against Gençlerbirliği SK meaning he has netted in eight successive league fixtures. Key to that bounty is the 1.92m-tall frontman's power and presence. "Fernandão is one of the top strikers in the Turkish league because of his strength," noted team-mate Samuel Holmén.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Fernandão came through the ranks at America FC but, unable to establish himself in the first team, was loaned to several clubs including SE Palmeiras. He secured a permanent switch to Paranaense in 2012, yet really made his presence felt in Brazil while on loan at EC Bahia in 2013 – registering 15 goals in 34 league matches for a side headed for relegation. He was spotted by Bursaspor scouts, prompting a loan move to Turkey in January 2014.
Colin Kazım Richards – now at Feyenoord – helped Fernandão settle in, and the big No9 scored ten times in his first half-season in Turkey, though he refused to take all the credit for his strike-rate. "My team-mate Fernando Belluschi is an exceptional talent," said Fernandão, a family man who grew up idolising Ronaldo and Romário. "He can attack and defend. He provides killer assists and once you receive them, it's child’s play to score a goal."
However, as the goals keep piling up for Şenol Güneş's men – fourth in the table and on target for Europe – Fernandão's personal qualities are coming to the fore. "I like to play with as much movement as possible, and try to help out at the back as well," he explained. "That's a key requirement in today's game. Obviously I enjoy scoring, but helping my team is the biggest thing. I may just seem like a tall, strong striker but I think my finishing is good too."
Turkey's defences know that only too well.
Longest runs of goals in consecutive league games in Europe
21: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona 2012–13)*
19: Josef Bican (SK Slavia Praha 1939–40)
16: Gerd Müller (FC Bayern München 1969–70)
16: Teodor Peterek (Ruch Chorzów 1937–38)
15: Filip Johansson (IFK Göteborg 1924–25)
15: Tor Henning Hamre (FC Flora Tallinn 2003)
15: Fin Døssing (Dundee United FC 1964–65)
14: Fernando Gomes (FC Porto 1984–85)
13: Serge Masnaghetti (Valenciennes FC 1962–63)
13: Peter Dubovský (ŠK Slovan Bratislava 1991–92)
13: Tom Phillipson (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 1926–27)
*scored in 19 successive Liga games, then two more after a three-match break due to injury