Besiktas and Lausanne-Sport will face off in Istanbul to determine who advances to the Europa Conference League group stage. Besiktas are favored due to their home advantage and European experience, but Lausanne-Sport will be looking to cause an upset. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, setting up a decisive second leg. Besiktas’s strong domestic form and squad depth give them an edge, while Lausanne-Sport will rely on their resilience and counter-attacking ability. Expect Besiktas to use their home support and secure a spot in the group stage.
Besiktas will host Lausanne-Sport in Istanbul this Thursday, with a coveted spot in the Europa Conference League group stage hanging in the balance. The first leg in Switzerland ended in a 1-1 draw, setting the stage for a decisive showdown in Turkey. With the backing of their fervent home crowd, Besiktas are heavily favored to advance, but Lausanne-Sport will be eager to cause an upset.
Besiktas opened the scoring in the first leg through a Milot Rashica goal, but Lausanne-Sport responded in the second half to level the score. Despite the draw, Besiktas manager Senol Gunes will be confident that his team can finish the job at home. Besiktas have already navigated a challenging qualifying path, overcoming St Patrick’s Athletic and Astana, demonstrating both resilience and attacking prowess. The atmosphere at Tupras Stadyumu is known to be intimidating, and Besiktas will look to leverage their home advantage.
Domestically, Besiktas are also performing well. A recent 2-1 victory over Eyupspor in the Super Lig ensures they remain competitive with rivals Fenerbahce. This victory has boosted confidence within the squad. The team seems to have gelled quickly this season, blending experienced players with emerging talents. This squad depth could be a significant advantage against a Lausanne side less accustomed to high-stakes European encounters.
Besiktas are acutely aware that failing to qualify for the group stage would be a major setback. The allure of European football in front of their passionate supporters serves as a powerful motivator. However, they will need to guard against complacency and convert their opportunities.
Team News suggests that winger Rachid Ghezzal and midfielder Amir Hadziahmetovic are doubtful due to injury. However, the squad boasts sufficient depth to compensate for these potential absences. Rashica, who scored in the first leg, is expected to start again. Vincent Aboubakar and Jackson Muleka are also available to bolster the attack.
In midfield, Gedson Fernandes is likely to partner with Joao Mario, providing both creativity and stability. Daniel Amartey is expected to continue his impressive form in defense, adding solidity to the backline. The defense will need to be vigilant against Lausanne’s counter-attacks.
For Lausanne-Sport, reaching this stage of the competition is already a significant achievement. Their determined equalizer in the first leg keeps their hopes alive. A single away goal in Istanbul could shift the pressure onto Besiktas. Lausanne's qualifying journey has been marked by resilience, having previously eliminated Sheriff Tiraspol and Astana, defying expectations on both occasions.
However, Lausanne's domestic form has been inconsistent, with only one win in their first five Swiss Super League matches. This inconsistency underscores the magnitude of the challenge they face. To upset Besiktas, Lausanne will need to deliver a near-perfect performance. They will need to be compact defensively and clinical in attack.
Lausanne does possess talent within their squad. Forward Mamadou Kaly Sene poses a direct threat in attack, while Valentin Barco and Archie Brown offer pace and dynamism on the wings. Goalkeeper Thomas Castella has been in excellent form and is likely to be kept busy on Thursday night. For a team relatively inexperienced at this level, discipline and focus will be crucial.
Team News indicates that Lausanne will be without defender Maxime Dominguez and midfielder Stjepan Kukuruzovic due to injury. Manager Peter Zeidler is anticipated to adopt a conservative approach, focusing on counter-attacks and quick transitions. The inclusion of loanees like Barco could inject some unpredictability into their play. However, Lausanne faces a formidable task.
Ultimately, Besiktas’s European pedigree, home advantage, and overall squad quality make them strong favorites to progress. While Lausanne-Sport deserve recognition for their achievements thus far and their spirited performance in the first leg, the disparity in experience and consistency is likely to prove decisive. Expect Besiktas to harness the energy of their home support, find the breakthrough they need, and secure their place in the Europa Conference League group stage. Lausanne may frustrate them initially, but the Turkish side should ultimately prove too strong.
The voices of the home supporters behind them, expect Besiktas to find the breakthrough they need, settle nerves, and push on to secure their spot in the Europa Conference League group phase. Lausanne may frustrate early, but the Turkish side should ultimately prove too strong.