The fifth week of the UEFA Europa Conference League guarantees to ship riveting moments as Turkish Süper Lig giants can be in motion – Fenerbahçe going through Nordsjaelland away, whereas Beşiktaş hosts Club Brugge on Thursday.
Fenerbahçe can be on a mission to stamp their authority on the pinnacle of Group H as they intention to conquer Nordsjaelland as soon as and for all.
With 9 victories and a single defeat in 10 European matches this season, the Yellow Canaries are nicely poised to advance into the knockout phases with both a win or a draw.
Ismail Kartal’s males, securing 9 factors with three wins in 4 group matches, presently reign supreme on the summit of the group forward of Nordsjaelland with seven factors, Ludogorets with six and Spartak Trnava with a solitary level.
In their earlier encounter in Istanbul, Fenerbahçe painted Kadiköy yellow as at all times as they emerged victorious with a 3-1 rating in opposition to their Danish rivals.
If Fenerbahçe handle a draw on Thursday, offered Ludogorets drop factors in opposition to Spartak Trnava, they may safe a spot within the subsequent spherical with one match to spare.
In the ultimate week of Group H, the Yellow Canaries will host Spartak Trnava, whereas Ludogorets and Nordsjaelland will face one another in a vital battle.
Setbacks
Ahead of the Nordsjaelland match, Fenerbahçe can be with out the companies of seven gamers on account of accidents.
Alexander Djiku, Rodrigo Becao, Mert Hakan Yandaş and Ferdi Kadıoğlu can be pressured to observe from the stands, whereas Serdar Aziz, Fred and Miha Zajc aren’t anticipated to function within the Danish conflict.
However, with the Joshua King and Michy Batchuayi totally match and firing on all cylinders, Fenerbahçe’s gaffer, Ismail Kartal, can be anticipated to name upon the companies of this thrilling duo.
This season, the 2 gamers have instantly contributed to 12 targets in European matches.
Batshuayi, showing in 9 out of 10 matches, scored 4 targets and offered three assists, whereas Joshua King, in seven European appearances, netted three targets and offered two assists.
In response to the defensive challenges posed by accidents to Becao, Djiku, and Serdar Aziz, and with Samet Akaydın not listed within the UEFA squad, coach Kartal deployed Oosterwolde-Yusuf Akçiçek within the central protection in opposition to Ludogorets.
With Kadıoğlu’s harm, Kartal should discover choices on this space.
Kartal should ponder fielding Crespo alongside younger expertise Yusuf Akçiçek within the middle of protection, transferring Oosterwolde to his pure place as a left-back.
In the right-back place, Osayi-Samuel is predicted to safe his spot.
Including Yusuf Akçiçek within the beginning XI, Ismail Kartal will full the squad by reinforcing it with promising gamers from the youth academy.
Muhammet İmre, Furkan Onur Akyüz, Efekan Karayazı, Ahmet Necat Aydın, and Kaan Akyazı are anticipated to be included within the squad.
Synthetic turf
The Right to Dream Park, internet hosting Nordsjaelland’s matches with a capability of 10,300 spectators, stands out with its 100% artificial floor.
Due to climate circumstances in Denmark, Nordsjaelland performs its matches on artificial turf, prompting Fenerbahçe to tailor their preparations accordingly.
The Yellow Canaries will step onto the sector with particular cleats for the substitute floor and thermal supplies to fight the anticipated -5 levels Celsius (23 levels Fahrenheit) temperature on the match hour.
During the Nordsjaelland tie, Fenerbahçe will mark their 265th look on the continental stage.
Having performed 264 matches in European tournaments, Fenerbahçe boast 104 victories, 105 defeats and 55 attracts.
They have netted 355 targets whereas conceding 374.
Fenerbahçe suffered their solely defeat in European competitions this season within the UEFA Europa Conference League, dropping 2-0 to Ludogorets within the group stage.
After showcasing a exceptional efficiency with 9 consecutive victories in qualifiers and group matches, Fenerbahçe search redemption by securing a constructive lead to Denmark.
Eagles’ moist wings
Moving on to the struggling Beşiktaş, the Black Eagles will host Belgian aspect Club Brugge.
Beşiktaş, having secured one draw and suffered three defeats within the 4 group stage matches, sat on the backside of the group with a single level, eliminating their possibilities of progressing after a 2-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt within the fourth week.
On the opposite hand, Club Brugge, main the group with 10 factors from three victories and one draw, have already assured their spot within the knockout stage.
The first encounter between the 2 groups in Belgium led to a 1-1 draw.
Absences
Beşiktaş face a major variety of absentees forward of the Club Brugge conflict.
Necip Uysal, who obtained a crimson card within the final match in opposition to Bodo/Glimt, will sit out for this one.
Additionally, on account of accidents, Daniel Amartey, Eric Bailly, Jean Onana, Salih Uçan, Milot Rashica, Rachid Ghezzal, Valentin Rosier and Arthur Masuaku are sidelined.
Beşiktaş, coming into their 241st match in European competitions in opposition to Club Brugge, have a report of 90 victories, 48 attracts, and 102 defeats in earlier matches.
Familiar foes
The Black Eagles have confronted Belgian groups 9 occasions in European competitions.
Despite not fairly a passable report, Beşiktaş secured two victories, draw attracts, and three defeats.
Notably, the 1996-1997 season noticed Beşiktaş drawing 0-0 away and successful 3-0 at dwelling in opposition to Molenbeek within the UEFA Cup first spherical.
Familiar territory
Beşiktaş has reached the quarterfinals in European competitions 3 times.
In the 1986-1987 season, Beşiktaş superior to the quarterfinals of the European Cup.
They replicated this feat within the 2002-2003 UEFA Cup and the 2016-2017 UEFA Europa League.
Beşiktaş achieved their largest victory in European competitions through the 2018-2019 UEFA Europa League second qualifying spherical, defeating Faroe Islands consultant B36 Torshavn 6-0.
Conversely, they suffered their most humiliating defeat within the 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League, dropping 8-0 to English aspect Liverpool.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
