Fenerbahçe will host Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in a vital Europa League group stage match on the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
The Turkish giants, presently sitting fifteenth within the league part, will probably be trying to recuperate from a rollercoaster begin to the competitors.
Athletic Bilbao, however, are flying excessive, sitting joint-top with Lazio and Eintracht Frankfurt and in robust rivalry to advance.
Fenerbahçe’s Europa League marketing campaign has been a story of inconsistency, with two wins, two attracts, and one loss from their opening 5 matches.
Their journey started with a stable 2-1 dwelling win over Union SG, however the Turkish aspect struggled after that. Three winless video games adopted, together with two attracts towards Twente and Manchester United, earlier than a 3-1 loss to AZ Alkmaar.
However, Fenerbahçe lastly returned to profitable methods in matchday 5, securing a 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague, with objectives from Edin Dzeko and Youssef En-Nesyri.
The win lifted them three factors away from final place, reigniting their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds for the third consecutive season.
After a disappointing 1-0 loss to Beşiktaş within the Süper Lig, Fenerbahçe will probably be desirous to return to dwelling turf, the place they’ve gained 4 of their final 5 matches in all competitions.
Still, supervisor Jose Mourinho must navigate a rising harm checklist, with Mert Hakan Yandaş and Jayden Oosterwolde sidelined, and Fred suspended for this conflict.
In distinction, Athletic Bilbao head into the match filled with confidence.
Ernesto Valverde’s aspect, competing in European competitors for the primary time because the 2017-18 season, have been in glorious kind.
After a 1-1 draw towards Roma, Athletic dispatched AZ Alkmaar, Slavia Prague, and Ludogorets, adopted by a dominant 3-0 win over Elfsborg.
With 13 factors from their opening 5 matches, they’re well-positioned to advance to the final 16.
Bilbao’s momentum has been spectacular domestically as effectively, with 5 consecutive victories, together with wins over Real Madrid and Villarreal.
With an unbeaten run spanning 11 matches throughout all competitions (W8, D3), they head to Türkiye brimming with confidence.
Athletic’s solely harm concern is midfielder Ander Herrera, who will miss his third consecutive match on account of a hamstring concern.
In higher news for the Basque aspect, goalkeeper Unai Simon has recovered from harm and will probably be anticipated to start out after his return within the final European outing.
Forward Nico Williams can also be set to return to the beginning lineup, whereas coach Valverde might go for modifications, together with spots for Andoni Gorosabel, Mikel Jauregizar, and Adama Boiro.
For Fenerbahçe, midfielder İsmail Yüksek is prone to substitute Fred within the beginning XI, whereas Bright Osayi-Samuel, Sebastian Szymanski, and En-Nesyri may all characteristic prominently.
Fenerbahçe additionally welcome the potential return of defender Çağlar Söyüncü, who has been sidelined for 4 matches on account of harm, and will slot straight into the backline.
As the 2 groups put together to sq. off in what guarantees to be an intense and high-stakes encounter, Fenerbahçe will look to capitalize on their dwelling benefit whereas aiming to rebound from a troublesome home defeat.
Meanwhile, Athletic will probably be keen to take care of their profitable streak and strengthen their place on the high of the group.
Source: www.dailysabah.com