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Besiktas began its 2024-25 season with a 4-2 home defeat to Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.
Shakhtar struck early at Tupras Stadium in Istanbul, with goals from Alisson in the 7th minute and Eguinaldo in the 28th to take a 2-0 lead..
Besiktas responded in the 40th minute through a penalty converted by new signing Tammy Abraham, but conceded again in the 67th minute when Kevin found the net for the visitors. The Ukrainian side sealed the result with a fourth goal before Besiktas pulled one back.
The result leaves the black-and-white club facing an uphill battle ahead of the return leg, set for July 31 in Poland. Discontent was visible in the stands, as fans reacted to the early deficit by chanting, “This is a disgrace to the fans.”
Although supporters called the players over for encouragement after the first half, frustration returned by the final whistle. Some fans chanted the name of former manager Sergen Yalcin, while many exited the stadium after Shakhtar’s fourth goal. Those who remained booed the team in protest.
Shakhtar’s victory also marked a personal milestone for manager Arda Turan, who notched his first career win against Besiktas in his fourth attempt.
The former Turkish international had previously lost three matches to Besiktas while coaching Eyupspor—twice in the league and once in the Turkish Cup—by scores of 4-0, 3-1, and 2-1.
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The Ukrainian club continued its dominant record against Turkish opposition. Including Thursday’s result, Shakhtar Donetsk has played Turkish teams nine times in European competition, recording eight wins and one draw.
It has scored 20 goals while conceding only two in those matchups, facing clubs such as Fenerbahce, Basaksehir, Konyaspor, and Sivasspor.
Tammy Abraham scored his first goal for Besiktas in his debut appearance, converting from the penalty spot to register the club’s first official goal of the season. The English striker was substituted in the 71st minute due to a possible injury concern.
Meanwhile, homegrown midfielder Kartal Kayra Yilmaz made his first appearance for Besiktas in nearly three years, coming on in the 60th minute to replace Milot Rashica. His last appearance came on Aug. 21, 2022, against Fatih Karagumruk—1,067 days ago.
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