Preview

July 24, Istanbul, Beşiktaş Stadium, 21:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

History and path to the Europa League

Beşiktaş was founded on March 3, 1903 in the district of the same name in Istanbul and is one of the three giants of Turkish football. Throughout its history, the club has been crowned Turkish champions 16 times (most recently in the 2020/21 season), and has also won 11 Turkish Cups and 10 Turkish Super Cups. On the European stage, the team’s best achievements include reaching the quarter-finals of the European Cup (1987), the UEFA Cup (2003) and the UEFA Europa League (2017).

In the 2024/25 season, Beşiktaş finished 4th in the Turkish Süper Lig (36 matches, 62 points, goal difference: 59-36), which secured them a place in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers. In the national cup, the Istanbul side exited at the quarter-final stage, but still ended the campaign with silverware, lifting the 2024 Turkish Super Cup. In the main round of last season’s UEFA Europa League, the Black Eagles ranked 28th out of 36 (8 matches, 3 wins and 5 losses, 9 points, goal difference: 10-15).

Squad and leaders

Beşiktaş are currently led by 52-year-old head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Well known for his playing career, the Norwegian has previously managed Molde (2011–2013, 2015–2018), Cardiff City (2014) and Manchester United (2018–2021). His most recent role before joining Beşiktaş was working as a UEFA match analyst (2023–2024). Under Solskjær’s leadership, the Istanbul side have played 22 competitive matches (12 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses, goal difference: 40-22).

The team captain is experienced 35-year-old goalkeeper Mert Günok. Italian striker Ciro Immobile was the club’s top scorer last season (19 goals and 4 assists), although he has since left as a free agent. Also among the top three contributors were Portuguese duo Rafa Silva (18 goals and 13 assists) and Gedson Fernandes (12 goals and 3 assists). This summer, Beşiktaş made several notable transfers: the club secured permanent deals for defender Felix Uduokhai and winger João Mário, while also bringing in defender David Jurásek and midfielder Orkun Kökçü on loan from Benfica, as well as forward Tammy Abraham from Roma.

During pre-season, Beşiktaş played four friendlies: three against Austrian sides: a win over St. Pölten (2-0), a draw with Admira (1-1) and a loss to Wolfsberger (2-3), followed by a defeat to Slovak club Petržalka (1-2) in their final warm-up match.

Stadium

Beşiktaş Stadium was built on the site of the club’s legendary former ground, İnönü Stadium. The new venue was officially opened in April 2016. It has a capacity of 42,590 and meets UEFA Category 4 standards. The stadium features a hybrid grass surface, with pitch dimensions of 105 by 68 metres. In 2019, it hosted the UEFA Super Cup match between Liverpool and Chelsea. The Türkiye national team also occasionally play their home matches at the stadium. Notably, Beşiktaş Stadium is set to host the UEFA Europa League final in the 2025/26 season.

Head-to-head record

Shakhtar and Beşiktaş have never faced each other in competitive matches, but they have met six times in friendlies: the Miners narrowly lost in January 2005 (0-1), took revenge during their summer camp in 2006 (2-1), suffered another defeat in September 2008 (0-2), thrashed the Turkish side in Istanbul in November 2013 (4-1), played out a goalless draw in summer 2018 (0-0), and most recently claimed another victory in July 2024 (1-0) through a goal from Eguinaldo.

Shakhtar have played 9 competitive matches against four different Turkish clubs, recording 8 wins and 1 draw (goal difference: 18-1). Beşiktaş, on the other hand, have faced Ukrainian sides 14 times in European competitions, with a negative record of 5 wins, 2 draws and 7 defeats.

The Beşiktaş vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by the judging panel from Bulgaria: referee Georgi Kabakov, assistants Martin Margaritov and Martin Venev, video assistant referee Dragomir Draganov.