Beşiktaş’s route again to European respectability is something however easy, because the Turkish giants should first get rid of Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk earlier than going through the Champions League third qualifying spherical loser between Rangers and Panathinaikos within the UEFA Europa League.
The draw, made on Monday at UEFA’s Nyon headquarters, set the stage for a brutally aggressive journey.
Fresh off a fourth-place Süper Lig end, Beşiktaş are again on the continental path, hoping to revive their standing amongst Europe’s elite.
But the street begins with a well-known foe.
Brutal opening check: Shakhtar Donetsk
Beşiktaş should first survive a two-legged showdown with Shakhtar, a aspect boasting pedigree, tempo and ache for opponents.
The Ukrainians, 2009 UEFA Cup winners and 2020 Europa League semifinalists, completed second domestically and carry the technical DNA of Eastern European soccer – crisp passing, midfield dominance, and lethal transitions.
The first leg of that second qualifying spherical conflict will probably be performed on Thursday, with the return leg on July 31.
Given the battle in Ukraine, Shakhtar are prone to host the sport at a impartial venue corresponding to Hamburg, the place they’ve performed in latest UEFA ties.
Beşiktaş, below Norwegian boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will possible depend on a compact, high-pressing 4-2-3-1 system.
Yet, Shakhtar’s midfield core, led by Georgiy Sudakov, will pose tactical questions Solskjaer should reply swiftly.
Next hurdle: Rangers or Panathinaikos
If Beşiktaş prevail, they’ll conflict with the loser of the Champions League third qualifying spherical tie between two historic European golf equipment: Scotland’s Rangers or Greece’s Panathinaikos.
Rangers, below Russell Martin, stay a drive in continental play.
A 2022 Europa League finalist, the Glaswegian aspect combines physicality with set-piece prowess and raucous help at Ibrox.
Captain James Tavernier and a summer-reinforced squad promise no simple evening for guests.
Panathinaikos, in the meantime, are rebuilding below Rui Vitoria.
The Athens membership, semi-finalists within the 1971 European Cup, now leans on a technical, possession-based sport.
With Fotis Ioannidis pulling the strings and residential matches at both Apostolos Nikolaidis or the Olympic Stadium, they current a disciplined, tactical minefield.
The third qualifying spherical matches are scheduled for Aug. 7 and 14. If Beşiktaş attain this stage, one leg will probably be performed at Beşiktaş Park, the place their dwelling crowd’s depth is understood to tilt ties.
History and implications
Beşiktaş have danced this dance earlier than.
Their greatest European run got here in 1987 with a Champions League quarterfinal berth, whereas Europa League exploits have been a blended bag since.
The final assembly with Panathinaikos got here in 2010-11 group play – one win apiece. With Shakhtar, the Turkish aspect has scars from previous defeats.
This yr’s stakes are larger.
Should Beşiktaş progress by means of each rounds, they’ll earn a Europa League group stage berth – status, prize cash, and profile await.
Failure would ship them to the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff, a major downgrade.
Source: www.dailysabah.com