Turkish giants Beşiktaş are set to start their Europa League journey with a tricky opening conflict towards Ajax on the Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday evening.
Riding the momentum of a dramatic Süper Lig victory, the Black Eagles will look to ruffle Dutch feathers in Amsterdam.
Ajax, traditionally dominant in Europe, enters the fray on the again of a combined Eredivisie begin.
A 5-0 thrashing of Fortuna Sittard was adopted by a disappointing draw with Go Ahead Eagles final weekend.
Despite their fifth-place Eredivisie end final season – Ajax’s lowest in over twenty years – they secured a Europa League spot by means of grueling qualification rounds.
The Dutch facet dispatched Vojvodina, Panathinaikos and Jagiellonia Bialystok to make it to UEFA’s newly expanded 36-team part.
For Beşiktaş, continental glory is now the intention beneath the watchful eye of head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a Champions League winner as a participant with Barcelona.
His pedigree on the European stage was additional enhanced by main Rangers to the Europa League ultimate in 2022.
The Black Eagles certified for this season’s Europa League playoff after a sixth-place Süper Lig end and by lifting the Turkish Cup.
They overcame Swiss outfit Lugano to earn their place in Europe’s second-tier competitors.
Beşiktaş have been flying excessive this season, going eight matches unbeaten throughout all competitions, together with a shocking 5-0 win over Galatasaray within the Turkish Super Cup.
However, Ajax might be no simple opponent.
The final time these two sides met, throughout the 2021-22 Champions League, the Dutch facet gained each encounters as a part of a dominant group-stage run.
Key to Beşiktaş’s ambitions this season is Italian veteran striker Ciro Immobile, who arrived from Lazio over the summer season.
The 34-year-old brings expertise and firepower, having netted 4 occasions in final season’s Champions League.
The Black Eagles will even look to flank threats Joao Mario and Milot Rashica, each pivotal of their weekend win over Eyupspor, to trigger Ajax issues.
Ajax, nonetheless, are usually not with out their points.
Last season’s star playmaker Steven Berghuis stays sidelined as a result of an August harm, whereas midfielder Sivert Mannsverk and defender Gaston Avila are additionally unavailable as a result of ankle and knee accidents, respectively.
Beşiktaş too face defensive challenges with Necip Uysal dominated out till November with a ligament harm.
The Black Eagles will intention to make their mark on Dutch soil, figuring out {that a} optimistic outcome may set the tone for a deep European run beneath Van Bronckhorst.
Source: www.dailysabah.com