Besiktas to face Shakhtar Donetsk in critical Europa League rematch

Besiktas will take on Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, coached by Arda Turan, in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round on Thursday. The match will be played at Reymana Stadium in Krakow, Poland, with kickoff set for 9 p.m. Türkiye time.

Spanish referee Juan Martinez Munuera will officiate the match.

Having lost the first leg 4-2 in Istanbul, Besiktas is looking to bounce back and secure a result that will carry them into the next round.

First-leg defeat dampens morale

Besiktas’ performance and result in the first leg left fans and club officials disappointed. The team struggled to create chances throughout the match and was exposed defensively, conceding four goals—all from the left side, where new signing David Jurasek featured.

To advance, the team must show a strong reaction in the second leg.

Gedson Fernandes of Besiktas celebrates his goal during the Turkish Super Lig football match against Net Global Sivasspor in Istanbul, Türkiye, September 1, 2024. (AA Photo)

Injury concerns and absences

Besiktas will be without several players due to injury and other issues:

• Mustafa Hekimoglu and Can Keles remain sidelined with injuries.
• Orkun Kokcu is doubtful due to swelling in his knee and will be assessed during the final training session before the match.
• Gedson Fernandes is not expected to be in the squad as he continues transfer talks with Russian club Spartak Moscow.
• Emrecan Uzunhan, Jean Onana, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were not included in the UEFA squad list and are unavailable.

Qualification scenarios for Besiktas

• Besiktas must win by at least three goals to advance directly.
• A two-goal win (regardless of the score) will send the tie into extra time.
• Any other result (draws, one-goal wins, or losses) would see Shakhtar Donetsk move on.

Potential opponents in the next round

If Besiktas overcomes Shakhtar Donetsk, they will face the loser of the UEFA Champions League qualifier between Rangers (Scotland) and Panathinaikos (Greece) in the Europa League third qualifying round. Rangers currently lead the tie after a 2-0 home win.

If eliminated, Besiktas will drop to Conference League

Should Besiktas fail to progress past Shakhtar Donetsk, they will continue their European campaign in the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round.

There, they would face the winner of the tie between St. Patrick’s (Ireland) and Kalju (Estonia). St. Patrick’s won the first leg 1-0.

The third qualifying round matches are scheduled for Aug. 7 and 14.

July 30, 2025 10:18 AM GMT+03:00