Turkish night in Europe: Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Besiktas in decisive UEFA clashes
An image featuring the logos and team colors of Besiktas, Fenerbahce, and Galatasaray. (Photo via NTV)
As the UEFA Europa League enters its final matchweek, Türkiye’s top clubs—Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Besiktas—are gearing up for crucial encounters that could shape their European fate.
Galatasaray and Besiktas will battle in the Netherlands, while Fenerbahce takes on a Danish challenge. The outcomes of these matches will be vital for the nation’s UEFA ranking.
Galatasaray eyes top 8 spot in Amsterdam
Having already secured a playoff berth, Galatasaray will visit Ajax at Johan Cruijff Arena with the ambition of finishing among the top eight teams in the competition. The high-stakes clash, officiated by renowned Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano, kicks off at 11 p.m.
The Lions will be without Mauro Icardi, who is out for the season, along with Roland Sallai, who is not on the UEFA squad list, and new signing Ahmed Kutucu.
Complex road to last 16
If Galatasaray secures a victory in Amsterdam, they will reach 16 points, but their fate in the top eight will depend on results elsewhere. The Lions need at least one of Eintracht Frankfurt, Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United, Lyon, Tottenham, Anderlecht, or Steaua Bucharest to drop points.
However, if Lyon, Tottenham, and Anderlecht all win, and Manchester United beats FCSB in Romania, the result of Bodo/Glimt’s match against Nice will become crucial. In this scenario, if Bodo/Glimt wins by at least two goals more than Galatasaray’s margin, the Turkish side will drop to ninth place.
A draw against Ajax could still see Galatasaray finish in the top eight if both Anderlecht and FCSB lose. However, to maintain their position, they would also need Olympiakos, Viktoria Plzen, and Rangers to fail to win, and AZ Alkmaar and Union Saint-Gilloise to avoid winning by more than three goals.
A defeat would leave Galatasaray on 13 points, sending them into the playoffs rather than directly advancing to the last 16.
Fenerbahce without Mourinho for Midtjylland test
Fenerbahce will take on Danish side Midtjylland in a do-or-die encounter, but they will be without their head coach, Jose Mourinho, due to a UEFA-imposed suspension announced just a day before the match. Portuguese referee Luis Godinho will officiate the match at MCH Arena, kicks off at 11 p.m.
The Yellow Canaries will be missing several key players, including Jayden Oosterwolde and Rodrigo Becao, whose licenses have been frozen due to injuries. Goalkeepers Dominik Livakovic and Mert Muldur, as well as Sofyan Amrabat and Bright Osayi-Samuel, will also be unavailable.
Fenerbahce controls its own destiny
A victory for Fenerbahce will guarantee progression to the next round with 12 points. However, if the match ends in a draw, the team’s ranking will depend on results from Ajax, PAOK, Real Sociedad, Midtjylland, Elfsborg, Roma, Ferencvaros and Besiktas.
If Tottenham defeats Elfsborg at home, Fenerbahce would overtake the Swedish side in the standings due to their superior goal difference (-2).
A loss would make things complicated. If Fenerbahce loses by a single goal, they will need Ferencvaros to lose to AZ Alkmaar by at least three goals to remain ahead of the Hungarian club.
Additionally, if Porto avoids a heavy defeat against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Besiktas picks up points against Twente, Braga fails to beat Lazio, and Hoffenheim does not win at Anderlecht, Fenerbahce could still advance despite a narrow defeat.
Besiktas battles Twente with 7 absentees
As Galatasaray takes the field in Amsterdam, Besiktas will simultaneously face Twente in Enschede, aiming to keep their European hopes alive. The match at Twente Stadium will be officiated by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, kicks off at 11 p.m.
The Black Eagles will be without several key names. Necip Uysal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are not on the UEFA squad list, while Gabriel Paulista and Tayyip Talha Sanuc remain sidelined with injuries. Jonas Svensson and Emirhan Topcu are in a race against time to be fit, while Cher Ndour has been ruled out due to illness.
3 points to secure playoff berth
Currently sitting 24th in the rankings, Besiktas will advance with a win over Twente. A draw or defeat would bring in scenarios similar to those affecting Fenerbahce.
If Besiktas loses by a single goal and Maccabi Tel Aviv stuns Porto with a four-goal victory, the Turkish side’s European campaign will come to an end. However, if Ferencvaros loses to AZ Alkmaar by at least five goals, Besiktas will still progress.
Even if Besiktas loses, they could advance if Porto does not lose to Maccabi Tel Aviv by more than two goals, Braga fails to beat Lazio, and Hoffenheim does not win against Anderlecht.
Should Galatasaray finish ninth in the rankings, they could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Besiktas in the knockout rounds. The ninth and tenth-ranked teams are set to face the 23rd and 24th teams, setting up the possibility of an all-Turkish clash in the UEFA Europa League.
