Besiktas secured a 1-0 victory over Midtjylland in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round at Tupras Stadium on July 23, 2026.
Orkun Kokcu scored the decisive goal in the 26th minute, placing a long-range shot into the far corner following a pass from Cerny.
Midtjylland was reduced to ten players early in the match after Friday Etim received a straight red card in the 15th minute for a heavy challenge on Djalo.
Besiktas dominated the early chances, including a header from Salih Ozcan that went wide from an Orkun Kokcu corner.
Murillo hit the crossbar in the second half, while Cerny missed a chance to double the lead late in the game.
Coach and President Comments
Besiktas Manager Vincenzo Italiano reflected on the team's tactics and preparation ahead of the match. "We worked on our important principles during the training camp.
Today, we are playing against a tough opponent. We will try to play like ourselves," said Italiano.
"We will force them to play long balls. When we have the ball, we will try to create chances and do our best.
This is a 180-minute tie, and the continuation will be next week in Denmark," he added.
Italiano also addressed the team's roster changes and integration of young players. "We worked with a lot of young players at the camp.
National team players returned late, and as new friends join us, we will see a more complete team.
Important players will arrive for key positions. That is when we will see the real Besiktas," he said.
Besiktas President Serdal Adali addressed the fans before the match. "I have a request for you and the Besiktas supporters.
I expect them to focus solely on today's match and our players on the pitch, giving them maximum support," said Adali.
Besiktas entered the fixture missing three key players: new signing Leandro Trossard was not included in the UEFA squad, Felix Uduokhai served a suspension, and Wilfred Ndidi missed out due to an ankle ligament injury.
