This Thursday evening go hot as Besiktas go jam Shakhtar Donetsk for di first leg of Europa League Second Qualifying Round. Na clash of big names as former football stars wey don turn coach — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Arda Turan — go lock horns. The winner go later face Rangers or Panathinaikos for another serious showdown.
Match Preview
Besiktas finish their Super Lig season strong, but e no reach to carry dem enter top three. Because of that, dem no get automatic ticket for Europe league group stage, and dem gats pass through three rounds to qualify. Even though dem collect 13 points from their last six league matches, Samsunspor still beat dem to third position.
Solskjaer and him team don do plenty market this summer — dem sign big names to show say dem mean business. But friendly matches no really go well — dem beat St. Polten and draw with Admira, but dem lose to Wolfsberger and Petrzalka. All these na warm-up sha. Na this Europa League game wey go really test their body.
Besiktas go wan correct their last season poor showing for Europe — dem collect only 9 points from 8 matches before dem comot. But dem fit remember how dem beat Lugano 8-4 on aggregate for last season playoffs — maybe another attacking display fit help dem again.
This na di first time wey Besiktas and Shakhtar Donetsk go meet for official competition. Shakhtar bin beat dem 1-0 for friendly last year, but this one na different level.
As Ukraine league coefficient drop because of the ongoing war, Shakhtar no start directly from Champions League like before. Dem win di Ukrainian Cup, but e still no save dem — dem gats begin from di first qualifying round.
But dem show Ilves of Finland no mercy — dem win 6-0 for first leg and just cruise enter next round. This Besiktas match go be real test because Shakhtar never play this kain early qualifier since 1999-2000 season.
Last season, Champions League no favor dem — dem finish 27th overall with just 7 points from 24. So Europa League na chance for redemption this season.
Team News
Besiktas:
- Orkun Kokcu don join from Benfica with David Jurasek and Joao Mario. All of dem fit start.
- Tammy Abraham don replace Ciro Immobile for attack.
- Oxlade-Chamberlain still dey injured and fit comot the club soon.
- Milot Rashica and Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov don recover from injury but dem go likely start from bench.
Shakhtar Donetsk:
- Coach Arda Turan get full squad to pick from.
- New boy Alisson shine for last match with two goals and three assists — na him everybody dey look.
- No new players don enter since March, but di current squad still solid.
Our Prediction
Besiktas dey house and dem go wan impress, but Shakhtar no dey joke. If Alisson continue with him hot form, anything fit happen. E go tight, but we dey see Besiktas edge am small.
Our Prediction: Besiktas 2 – 1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Whether na comeback or late drama, fans go enjoy this one. Both teams get fire for body, but one must bend.