Basaksehir secures UEFA Conference playoffs after 2-0 win against Iberia Tiflis

RAMS Basaksehir advanced to the UEFA Conference League playoffs after a 2-0 victory against Georgian side Iberia Tiflis on Thursday in the second leg of the third qualifying round, held at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium.

The Turkish club also won the first leg 1-0, securing a 3-0 aggregate win over two legs.

The first half ended in a stalemate, with both teams failing to break the deadlock. However, the home side took the lead just minutes into the second half. In the 50th minute, Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek found the back of the net with a header following a well-executed free kick by Dimitris Pelkas, who sent the ball to Kemen at the near post, allowing Piatek to score from close range.

Piatek’s goal marked his fourth in European competition this season, further solidifying his place as a key player for Basaksehir in their continental campaign.

In the 61st minute, Pelkas added to the scoreline with a free kick from just outside the penalty area. The Greek midfielder placed the ball precisely to the right of Iberia Tiflis goalkeeper Giorgi Makaridze, doubling Basaksehir’s lead.

With the 2-0 win in Istanbul, Basaksehir now moves on to face Irish club St. Patrick’s Athletic in the playoff round. St. Patrick’s secured their spot after defeating Azerbaijani side Sabah with back-to-back 1-0 victories.

The first leg of the playoff will be held on August 22 in Ireland, with the return leg scheduled for August 29 in Istanbul.

After Basaksehir win against Iberia Tiflis

Basaksehir head coach Cagdas Atan expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, praising the players for their disciplined display and organized play. “We are happy with the way we controlled the game, particularly in the second half when we showed our quality. The organized nature of our play is what brought us success,” Atan said.

Looking ahead to the playoff round, Atan noted that St. Patrick’s will pose a significant challenge, highlighting their athleticism and dynamic style. “They are a young, energetic team with strong set pieces. Our focus is solely on reaching the group stage,” he added.

Atan also mentioned that the club would be seeking to reschedule their Super Lig match in order to prioritize the upcoming European fixtures.

Iberia Tiflis welcomes Basaksehir win

Levan Korgalidze, head coach of Iberia Tiflis, acknowledged Basaksehir’s superiority in the tie, especially in the second leg. “We made a mistake early in the second half and lost our motivation. Basaksehir is a strong team, and they deserved to progress,” Korgalidze said.

Despite the defeat, Korgalidze praised his side’s efforts in the first half, where they managed to hold their own against the Turkish outfit.

Basaksehir ready for St. Patrick’s Athletic matchup

Basaksehir midfielder Omer Ali Sahiner, speaking after the match, emphasized the team’s determination to reach the group stage of the Conference League. He highlighted the team’s dominance over two legs against Iberia Tiflis and looked forward to the challenge posed by St. Patrick’s Athletic.

“Physically, St. Patrick’s will be tough, but we are confident in our game plan and experience. We have shown our quality in these qualifying rounds, and we believe we can progress further,” Sahiner said.

Coach Atan, who has introduced tactical flexibility into the team, was praised for his innovative approach. “We enjoy playing in different roles under his system, and it is paying off with results,” Sahiner added.

With a strong performance in Europe so far and eyes on the group stage, Basaksehir is also balancing their domestic campaign. “Our goal is to compete at the highest level in both Europe and the Super Lig,” Sahiner concluded.

As Basaksehir prepares for the upcoming playoff matches, the team remains focused on continuing their European journey while navigating the challenges of a congested fixture list.