Besiktas on the brink of securing advancement in the UEFA Conference League against St. Patrick's Athletic
Besiktas is gearing up for the second leg of their UEFA Conference League third qualifying round match against St. Patrick's Athletic, scheduled for Thursday at Tupras Stadium. Kick-off is set for 9 p.m. local time.
The Turkish side finds itself in a favourable position, requiring only a draw, a win, or a loss by one or two goals to advance in the competition. However, a defeat by three goals would push the tie into extra time.
Besiktas' coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has emphasised the importance of building momentum in continental competition and pursuing every opportunity for success. The Norwegian manager is aiming to establish Besiktas as a force in Europe and domestically.
St. Patrick's Athletic, on the other hand, will be looking to fight despite the significant deficit from the first leg. Their coach, Stephen Kenny, believes they made mistakes in the first leg but is confident that his team will give their best in the second leg.
The expected lineups for both teams are as follows:
Besiktas - Mert Günok (Goalkeeper) - Jonas Svensson, Gabriel Paulista, Emirhan Topcu, David Jurasek (Defenders) - Demir Tiknaz, Orkun Kökçü, Keny Arroyo (may be replaced by Ernest Muci or Silva) (Midfielders) - João Mário, Tammy Abraham (Attackers)
St. Patrick's Athletic - Joseph Anang (Goalkeeper) - Ryan McLaughlin, Joe Redmond, Tom Grivosti, Jason McClelland (Defenders) - Chris Forrester, Jamie Lennon, Kyle Leavy (Midfielders) - Jake Mulraney, Mason Melia, Simon Power (Attackers)
Several changes to the starting 11 are possible due to the return of players like Mustafa Hekimoglu and Can Keles from injury, and the potential debut of South American midfielder Kenny Arroyo. Striker Tammy Abraham was the standout performer in the first leg, scoring a hat-trick within the opening 29 minutes.
Portuguese referee Antonio Nobre has been appointed for the match. The playoff matches are scheduled for Aug. 21 and 28, with the winners securing a spot in the group stage.
Thursday's match against St. Patrick's Athletic will be Besiktas' 256th European fixture across all competitions. The club has compiled a record of 96 wins, 49 draws, and 110 losses in European competition, scoring 344 goals and conceding 391.
The game will be broadcast live on local networks. Midfielder Barry Baggley is ready for St. Patrick's Athletic to compete until the final whistle in the second leg against Besiktas.
Meanwhile, Lausanne currently holds a 3-1 advantage from the first leg of their playoff round match against Astana. The winner of the Besiktas vs. St. Patrick's Athletic match will face either Astana from Kazakhstan or Lausanne from Switzerland in the playoff round.
[1]: This information is based on previous matches and may change due to injuries, substitutions, or tactical preferences. [2]: Tammy Abraham has four goals in three competitive matches this season. [3]: These are the expected lineups based on previous matches and may change due to injuries, substitutions, or tactical preferences.
- The Turkish side Besiktas, with a favorable position in the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round, aims to advance in the competition, as a draw, win, or loss by one or two goals would suffice, while a defeat by three goals would require extra time.
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Besiktas' coach, is eager to build momentum in continental competition and position Besiktas as a dominant force in both Europe and Turkey.
- Stephen Kenny, St. Patrick's Athletic's coach, aspires to lead his team to a fight despite the significant deficit from the first leg, believing his team can deliver their best in the second leg, even though mistakes were made in the first.
- This upcoming match, televised locally, marks Besiktas' 256th European fixture across all competitions, with the club boasting 96 wins, 49 draws, and 110 losses in European competition, scoring 344 goals and conceding 391.
- In the UEFA Conference League playoff round, the victor of the Besiktas vs. St. Patrick's Athletic match will face either Lausanne from Switzerland or Astana from Kazakhstan, with Lausanne currently holding a 3-1 advantage from the first leg of their playoff round match against Astana.
