Europa League news: Besiktas vs FC Porto, Besiktas’ Injury Woes
So far Besiktas and FC Porto are evenly matched, as they are the joint leaders of Group L in the Europa League. It is for this very reason that a victory tonight will be the number one priority for both sides, hoping to leave the
other behind in order to secure top place in the group.
Porto travel to Istanbul’s FIYAP Inonu Stadium, to take on a depleted Besiktas; which will be an interesting watch. Besiktas will be put to the test tonight, facing a strong Porto side without many key players, all left out because
of injuries.
The Turkish side has had a poor domestic form recently. They suffered a 3-2 loss at home to Manisaspor and then a 1-0 away win over Trabzonspor. The recent defeats are all a result of the full-scale injury crisis in midfield and
defence, which has rendered the side somewhat ineffective.
The long list of injured players includes: E***m Dağ and İsmail Köybaşı, both left backs, right back Erhan Güven, centre back Tomas Sivok, midfielders Marco Aurelio and Jose Maria Gutierrez Hernandez, and playmaker Ricardo Quaresma.
First choice Goal Keeper Rüştü Reçber, defenders Ersan Adem Gülüm and Rıdvan Şimşek, Quaresma, Sivok, E***m, Aurelio, Slovakian striker Filip Holosko and Italian defender Matteo Ferrari, all missed Tuesday’s practice.
However, there is some good news for Besiktas coach Bernd Schuster; Brazilian striker Bobo was declared fit by the club physician and returns for this highly explosive fixture. He will most likely start and make all the difference
for the defenseless Besiktas.
Schuster told reporters in a press conference ahead of the big clash, “This [Porto] match is very important for us. The injury setbacks notwithstanding, we will prepare well for this match and then go all out for victory.”
Üzülmez, who has a lot of responsibility because of the many missing players, added, “Having lost two [domestic league] matches in a row, we can only appease our fans by beating Porto and all of us [the players] are fully aware
of our responsibilities.”
Possible Starting XI
Besiktas: H. Arikan, R. Hilbert, I. Toraman, M. Ferrari, I. Üzülmez, M. Aurelio, F. Ernst, Rodrigo Tabata, Guti, R. Quaresma, Bobô.
FC Porto: Hélton, I. Sapunaru, N. Otamendi, Maicon, Á. Pereira, Souza, F. Belluschi, J. Moutinho, Hulk, C. Rodríguez, R. Falcao.
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