Flying excessive on confidence, Süper Lig juggernauts Fenerbahçe will host Belgian aspect Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday within the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League spherical of 16, following their commanding 3-0 victory within the first leg.
Having established a major three-goal lead away, the Yellow Canaries will intention to seal the deal towards the Belgians whereas contributing to the nation’s UEFA coefficient.
In the preliminary leg performed final week, targets from Michy Batchuayi, Jayden Oosterwolde, and Dusan Tadic supplied the Kadiköy aspect with a cushty cushion heading into the return leg.
Fenerbahçe will progress to the quarterfinals with a win, a draw, or a loss by a two-goal margin.
The Istanbulites boast an in depth historical past in European competitions, having competed 267 instances, securing 106 victories, 55 attracts, and enduring 106 defeats. Along the way in which, they’ve scored 363 targets, whereas conceding 380.
Fenerbahçe can be making their sixteenth look within the UEFA Europa Conference League. Across these matches, they’ve secured 11 victories and suffered defeat on 4 events, scoring 41 targets whereas conceding 19.
The upcoming encounter would be the second between the 2 groups, with Fenerbahçe having beforehand confronted Belgian groups 9 instances. They clashed with Anderlecht six instances in numerous European competitions and met Royal Antwerp twice within the Europa League group stage, securing 5 wins, 3 attracts, and struggling 1 defeat.
Absentees
Rade Krunic will sit out the return leg attributable to a suspension after receiving a yellow card within the spherical of 16’s first match.
Meanwhile, Joshua King, Çağlar Söyüncü, and Leonardo Bonucci are on the highway to restoration from accidents.
Rodrigo Becao, who has rejoined coaching with the crew, is anticipated to make the squad.
However, in case Becao doesn’t make it, Fenerbahçe coach İsmail Kartal is unlikely to tweak his defensive lineup, contemplating the absence of key gamers Çağlar Söyüncü and Serdar Aziz.
It is extremely possible that the seasoned coach will go for a defensive quartet comprising Bright Osayi-Samuel, Alexander Djiku, Jayden Oosterwolde, and Ferdi Kadıoğlu.
Oosterwolde, who initially began as left-back however shifted to centerback after Çağlar Söyüncü’s harm, will retain his spot within the central protection for the return leg.
Union Saint-Gilloise at the moment lead the Belgian Pro League desk with 69 factors from 29 matches, boasting 21 victories, six attracts, and two losses.
The crew is on a 23-match unbeaten streak within the league, having scored 62 targets and conceded 30.
Fenerbahçe navigated by means of the earlier season’s UEFA Europa League group stage undefeated and progressed to the spherical of 16, the place they bowed out to Sevilla.
They have a powerful house report, successful 5 out of six matches on this competitors.
This season, Fenerbahçe have maintained an ideal house report within the Europa Conference League, successful all six matches.
They have gained 11 out of their final 12 European house matches, drawing the opposite.
Belgian ahead Michy Batshuayi leads Fenerbahçe’s scoring charts within the UEFA Europa Conference League this season with six targets.
Serbian attacker Dusan Tadic has contributed 5 targets, whereas Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko and Turkish midfielder İrfan Can Kahveci have every scored 4 targets.
Union Saint-Gilloise face considerations over participant availability attributable to accidents and suspensions forward of the match towards Fenerbahçe.
Their prime scorer Mohamed Amoura and key defender Christian Burgess are suspended, whereas one other defender, Fedde Leysen, is sidelined with a long-term harm.
Kevin Mac Allister, nursing a knee harm, may additionally miss the sport.
Additionally, midfielder Noah Sadiki’s participation stays unsure, and Kevin Rodriguez, who lately returned to coaching post-injury, can also be uncertain.
Source: www.dailysabah.com