Besiktas eyes victory against Ajax in Europa League opener

Besiktas is set to face Ajax in their opening match of the UEFA Europa League for the 2024-25 season. The highly anticipated encounter will take place at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Thursday, starting at 8 p.m. Türkiye’s local time.

English referee John Brooks will officiate the match.

Besiktas’s season performance

Besiktas has made an impressive start to the season, remaining unbeaten in eight official matches, with six wins and two draws. The team has scored 28 goals while conceding eight, positioning them as the fifth highest-scoring team per match in Europe this season. Rafa Silva and Ciro Immobile are key players for Besiktas in this fixture, expected to play pivotal roles in the attack.

In a total of eight official matches, Immobile has played 638 minutes and scored eight goals. The Italian striker has an impressive record of scoring an average of one goal every 80 minutes. Also, Besiktas has long been a club where players find the opportunity to improve and maximize their potential and Gedson Fernandes has become a prime example of this transformation with Rafa Silva’s outstanding performance.

Ajax’s current status

Ajax, on the other hand, has experienced a mixed start to the season. In four matches, they have recorded two wins, one draw, and one loss, placing them fifth in the Dutch Eredivisie. The team, led by new head coach Francesco Farioli, includes familiar names such as Turkish international Ahmetcan Kaplan, Wout Weghorst, and Bertrand Traore.

Weghorst, who once played for Besiktas on loan, has signed a two-year contract with the Dutch club and has yet to score a goal for his new team. According to the national press, Ajax’s wingers are also not happy with Weghorst’s stagnant performance.

Dutch head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst coached the Dutch team Feyenoord for five years and he knows the football mentality of Ajax. Bronckhorst’s specialty will be at the forefront of this match.

Historical context

Besiktas and Ajax have previously faced each other six times in European competitions, with Ajax winning all encounters. The Dutch side has scored 14 goals in these meetings, while Besiktas has only managed to score three. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team will be determined to secure their first-ever victory against Ajax in this crucial fixture.

Strategic importance of the match

The 2024-25 UEFA Europa League features a new format, with the top eight teams from the group stage advancing directly to the Round of 16. A victory over Ajax would give Besiktas a strong start in their quest to progress in the tournament.

Predicted lineups

Ajax: Pasveer, Rensch, Hato, Ahmetcan Kaplan, Sutalo, Henderson, Taylor, Godts, Jim, Traore, Weghorst

Besiktas: Mert, Svensson, Paulista, Uduokhai, Masuaku, Joao Mario, Gedson, Rashica, Rafa Silva, Semih, Immobile

Statistics and squad values

• Besiktas will play its 245th match in European competitions.
• In 244 matches, Besiktas has 92 wins, 49 draws, and 103 losses.
• The team has scored a total of 328 goals while conceding 369 in European competitions.
• Besiktas‘ squad value: 135.8 million euros
• Ajax’s squad value: 227.55 million euros

With Besiktas ranked among the top five teams in Europe for goals per match, fans are hopeful for a high-scoring performance and a historic victory against Ajax. This match will be critical for Besiktas’ aspirations in the UEFA Europa League this season.