Besiktas aims for Europa League group stage against Lugano

Besiktas hosts Swiss Lugano in the UEFA Europa League Play-Off round rematch. In this crucial match at Tupras Stadium, Besiktas, who exited the field with a 3-3 draw in the first match, will aim for victory to secure a spot in the groups.

The match will kick off at 9:00 p.m. Turkish time on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Romanian referee Radu Petrescu will officiate the match. Radu Ghinguleac and Mircea Mihail Grigoriu will assist Petrescu. Marcel Birsan will be the fourth referee, followed by Catalin Popa, the VAR and Andrei Chivulete, the AVAR.

Prematch statements from van Bronckhorst, Gedson Fernandes

Besiktas head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst emphasized the importance of the Lugano match and said: “Our motivation is high. Our goal is to qualify for the groups. We approach every match differently, and we want to get a favorable result in this match.”

When asked about the final in Europe, he said: “Let’s qualify for the groups first. European Cups are difficult tournaments, and we need to give our best in every match.”

Portuguese star player Gedson Fernandes also emphasized the importance of the rematch and said: “Our only goal is to qualify for the Europa League groups. We started the season differently with our new coach and players, which brought us self-confidence.”

Scenarios for Besiktas to advance

If Besiktas wins this match, they will qualify for the UEFA Europa League groups. In case the match ends in a draw, two overtime periods of 15 minutes each will be played.

If there is no tie, a series of penalty shootouts will determine the team that will advance. In case of defeat, Besiktas will continue its European adventure in the UEFA Conference League.

Probable starting lineup for Besiktas

Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst anticipates fielding the following squad:

Goalkeeper: Mert Gunok

Defenders: Svensson, Paulista, Colley, Masuaku

Midfielders: Al Musrati, Gedson Fernandes, Rafa Silva

Forwards: Rashica, Semih Kilicsoy, Ciro Immobile

Besiktas will be without captain Necip Uysal because of injury.

Besiktas started season fast

Besiktas, who started the new season like a storm, scored a total of 14 goals and conceded 5 goals in 4 official matches.

Besiktas wants to make their fans happy by passing the round in Istanbul, avoiding repeating the disappointment of last season’s Lugano match.

Besiktas, which is effective in the scoring, is expected to be useful in offense today with Rafa Silva, Ciro Immobile, and Semih Kilicsoy.

Gedson Fernandes, who scored two goals in the first match against Lugano, is among the names that will support this trio.

Besiktas aims to qualify for the UEFA Europa League groups by defeating Lugano in this critical match.

Besiktas management hosts Lugano delegation at friendship dinner

Ahead of the UEFA Europa League Play-Off second leg, Besiktas hosted officials from Lugano at a friendship dinner held at the White Pepper Restaurant in Tupras Stadium.

Attendees from Besiktas included Vice Presidents Onur Gocmez and Mete Vardar, Board Member for International Relations and Kartal Yuvasi Yalcin Ayaydin.

Head of the Legal Committee Altin Mimir, Board Member for Internal Relations Kadir Kilic, Board Member for Facilities Caglayan Tugal and Board Member for Public Relations Burak Aslan.

After the dinner, Besiktas officials presented UEFA Delegate Amil Gerina, Lugano Vice President and CEO Martin Blaser, CFO Michele Campana, Sporting Director Carlos Da Silva, and Football Administrative Director Luca Baldo with commemorative plaques and Besiktas jerseys.

The Besiktas management expressed their hopes for a friendly and sportsmanlike match.