On Wednesday night, all eyes will be on Istanbul as Besiktas hosts Athletic Club at Tüpras Stadyumu for their UEFA Europa League clash. This match not only serves as a potential turning point for the Turkish side but also marks the managerial debut of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the former Manchester United boss, who has been tasked with revitalizing Besiktas after their lackluster performance this season.
Currently sitting at 28th place in the Europa League standings, Besiktas must secure all three points against the formidable Athletic Club, who are placed second and have been performing consistently well. This is especially urgent as the Black Eagles look to move from the bottom of their group to keep hopes of qualification alive for the knockout stages. With only two wins from six matches, the pressure lies heavily on Solskjaer to inspire immediate improvement.
Team news suggests several absentees for Besiktas, including Necip Uysal, Emrecan Terzi, and Tayyip Talha Sanuc due to injuries, which complicates Solskjaer's first selection. Veteran players Arthur Masuaku and Joao Mario, who started against Samsunspor, are expected to retain their spots, complemented by Italian forward Ciro Immobile, whose past prowess for scoring may give Besiktas the edge they need.
Athletic Club, on the other hand, is riding high on momentum following their recent victory over Celta Vigo. Their head coach, Ernesto Valverde, could also switch things up personnel-wise following their successful outing. Reliable defenders Oscar De Marcos and Yuri Berchiche may return to offer experienced stability at the back, and the anticipation rests on Gorka Guruzeta to lead the attack alongside the fabled Williams brothers, Nico and Iñaki.
The stakes are high, with Besiktas needing to rectify their defensive issues, having conceded 13 goals across their six European fixtures. Solskjaer’s tactics will be under scrutiny as he aims to establish firm control and instill confidence within the squad, which the fans hope will translate to a strong performance on Wednesday night.
Recent head-to-head encounters also add to the intrigue. Historically, Besiktas has faced Athletic Club three times, winning once and losing twice. Their last meeting occurred back in October 1985, which saw the Basque side emerge victorious. Given the current form and standings, Athletic emerges as the favorite, with odds reflecting their chances favorably, but upsets are always possible, especially during intense Europa League matches.
The odds are not entirely leaning toward the hosts; Athletic Club is projected at 5/6 to claim victory, boasting impressive results both domestically and internationally. Reports point to them being unbeaten on their travels across their last nine matches, presenting significant headwinds for their Turkish counterparts.
Solskjaer, known for instilling positive momentum, will need his side to channel energy throughout the match to capitalize on Athletic's brief defensive lapses. With the official kickoff set for 7:30 am PT / 10:30 am ET, fans worldwide are brimming with anticipation. The early betting previews are equally as telling, with over 2.5 goals favored at 8/11 indicating expectations for aggressive offensive efforts from both sides.
All these elements combine for what promises to be an exciting affair—Besiktas must conjure their best performance yet under pressure, as the season hangs delicately before them. The conclusion of this bout may very well define Solskjaer’s future and set the course for Besiktas' ambitions moving forward.