Beşiktaş will look to complete the job Thursday when they travel to Lithuania to face Kauno Zalgiris in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff, carrying a commanding 3-0 advantage from last week’s meeting in Istanbul.
The match at Dariaus and Gireno Stadium is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. local time.
Beşiktaş are 90 minutes away from securing a place in the Europa League league phase after producing a dominant display in the first leg. Hyeon-gyu Oh opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Michael Murillo doubled the lead six minutes later.
Orkun Kökçü then converted a penalty shortly before the hour mark to give the Black Eagles a three-goal cushion.
The result leaves Kauno Zalgiris with a huge task in the return match. The Lithuanian side must win by at least three goals to force extra time, while a four-goal victory would send them through outright.
Beşiktaş, meanwhile, will advance with a win or draw. If Kauno Zalgiris win 3-0 after 90 minutes, the tie will go to extra time, with a penalty shootout required if the aggregate score remains level.
European drought
Beşiktaş are hoping to end a year-long wait to return to the league phase of a major European competition after a disappointing campaign last season.
The Turkish side last competed in the Europa League league phase during the 2024-25 season, finishing 28th in the 36-team standings and failing to advance.
Their European campaign ended even earlier last season. Beşiktaş were eliminated by Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League qualifying rounds before losing to Lausanne in the Conference League qualifiers, leaving them without a place in either competition.
Progressing past Kauno Zalgiris would guarantee Beşiktaş a return to the Europa League league phase. If they fail to protect their first-leg advantage, they would instead continue their European campaign in the Conference League.
Uphill battle
Kauno Zalgiris have little room for error after their heavy defeat in Istanbul.
The Lithuanian champions remain competitive domestically and sit third in the A Lyga, four points behind leaders Suduva, who have played one more game. However, they were held to a 1-1 draw by TransINVEST Vilnius in their most recent league match.
Their European campaign has already exposed the challenge they face against more experienced opposition. Kauno suffered a 5-0 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League third qualifying round before losing the return leg 2-1 to exit 7-1 on aggregate.
Coach Zeljko Sopic will need a vastly improved performance if Kauno are to put Beşiktaş under sustained pressure and keep their Europa League hopes alive.
Beşiktaş also enter the match with some momentum despite their latest domestic setback. Vincenzo Italiano’s team suffered a 1-0 loss away to Corendon Alanyaspor at the weekend, but the defeat came after a strong run in Europe.
Before conceding against Alanyaspor, Beşiktaş had kept six consecutive clean sheets in all competitions. Their European record this season is even more impressive, with four matches played and four clean sheets.
Beşiktaş defeated Midtjylland 1-0 and 2-0 before beating Hradec Kralove 1-0 in both legs of their third qualifying-round tie. They then added the 3-0 victory over Kauno Zalgiris in the playoff first leg.
That defensive record, combined with their three-goal advantage, puts Beşiktaş in a strong position heading into Thursday’s match.
Italiano is also expected to rotate his squad, giving several players an opportunity while protecting key starters ahead of the club’s busy schedule.
Leonardo Trossard remains available after recovering from a knock sustained in the first leg, while new signing Dusan Vlahovic could be considered for his first start.
Second meeting between the clubs
Thursday’s match will be only the second meeting between Beşiktaş and Kauno Zalgiris.
Their first encounter came in last week’s playoff first leg, when Beşiktaş secured a comfortable 3-0 victory at home.
The tie also marks Beşiktaş’ first competitive meeting with a Lithuanian club, adding another chapter to the Turkish side’s European history.
Beşiktaş will make their 264th appearance in European club competition when they take the field in Lithuania.
The Black Eagles have recorded 102 wins, 50 draws and 111 defeats in their previous 263 European matches. They have scored 356 goals while conceding 395.
Thursday’s match will also be Beşiktaş’ 139th in the UEFA Cup and Europa League, competitions in which they have won 62, drawn 25 and lost 51 of their previous 138 matches.
They have scored 217 goals and conceded 180 in those games.