Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated a spectacular start to his managerial stint with Beşiktaş, guiding the Turkish side to a remarkable 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League. This resounding win not only marked Solskjaer’s debut as Beşiktaş’s head coach but also ended Bilbao's unbeaten run this season, asserting Solskjaer’s intent to return to management with purpose.
The match held significant importance for both teams. Athletic Bilbao, having enjoyed a strong start with six wins and one draw, aimed to secure qualification for the knockout stages, needing just two points from their last two games. On the other hand, Beşiktaş found themselves struggling, having won only two of their previous six Europa League fixtures. Solskjaer, appointed the week before, was determined to breathe new life and urgency back to the squad.
The fervor of the home crowd was palpable as the game kicked off at Beşiktaş's stadium. Just 17 minutes in, winger Milot Rashica gave the hosts the lead with a stunning shot from outside the area, sending the ball crashing beautifully against the net. This opening goal highlighted Beşiktaş’s readiness to tackle the match aggressively, backed by Solskjaer’s philosophy of high-tempo football.
Despite the strong start, Beşiktaş's momentum wavered when, right before the halftime whistle, Bilbao's Unai Gómez volleyed home the equalizer, much to the dismay of fans who expected their team to take control. This marked Bilbao's first shot on target of the half and was followed by a lengthy VAR check to confirm its validity. The score at halftime was 1-1, leaving Solskjaer's tactics to be tested as he rallied his players for the second half.
His halftime speech evidently reinvigorated Beşiktaş. Within 15 minutes of the restart, Rashica struck again, this time tapping the ball home after Rafa Silva rounded the Bilbao goalkeeper. The composure exhibited by the players suggested the tactical shift Solskjaer had successfully implemented during the break.
Rafa Silva, who had played the kind assistant role, soon got on the scoresheet himself, scoring Beşiktaş’s third goal with just under 12 minutes remaining. Silva capitalized on another defensive error from Bilbao, pushing the score to 3-1, sealing all doubts about the match outcome.
The final nail came during stoppage time when Joao Mario converted from the penalty spot after Semih Kilicsoy was fouled inside the box, concluding the match at 4-1. This emphatic victory not only solidified Beşiktaş's standing but also kindled the hopes of their fans and management for the future.
After the match, Solskjaer expressed satisfaction with the performance, stating, “This is a very good start for the team and a great result. But most of all, it's great to see how my players fought for each other.” His emphasis on teamwork and connection with the fans appeared to resonate with the players, including Rashica, who remarked on the much-needed confidence boost this win provided.
With Beşiktaş currently sitting 18th place before the remaining fixtures of the matchday, this victory could ripple positively through their league form. Solskjaer, reflecting on his new role, stated before the match, “This project feels a bit like Manchester United... We went from sixth to third and then to second. It's a step-by-step process.” He underscored the importance of solidifying the team's foundation before aiming for higher ambitions.
The next fixture for Solskjaer’s squad is against Antalyaspor, set at home and expected to gauge the renewed optimism following this win. Meanwhile, the pressure will remain on Athletic Bilbao as they regroup to prepare for their upcoming clash against Viktoria Plzen to secure their spot as one of the knockout stage contenders.
Overall, the night belonged to Solskjaer and the jubilant Beşiktaş fans who looked on with renewed hope after this emphatic triumph. By implementing his attacking style and achieving such overwhelming success right from the start, Solskjaer has once again captured the football world's attention, proving he still possesses the tactical savvy to lead teams back to prominence.