Beşiktaş Vs Maccabi Tel-A

Besiktas are set to host Maccabi Tel Aviv in Istanbul as matchday five of the Europa League unfolds. This clash presents a critical opportunity for both sides to shift their trajectories in the competition. Besiktas, currently sitting in 18th place on the Europa League table with six points from four games, are seeking to extend their winning streak and sustain their recent revival. Maccabi Tel Aviv, on the other hand, find themselves languishing near the bottom of the standings in 35th place, yet to secure their first points of the campaign. This encounter promises to be pivotal for the visitors as they aim to salvage their European journey.

Besiktas entered this year’s Europa League campaign on shaky ground, initially positioned at the very bottom of the 36-team standings after the first two matches. However, a determined response saw them secure back-to-back victories—first a 1-0 win against Lyon on matchday three, followed by a 2-1 triumph over Malmo on matchday four. These results have breathed life into their European campaign, offering a glimmer of hope to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side. Despite these victories, the Turkish team’s overall form remains inconsistent, with just one win in their last five matches across all competitions. In this span, they suffered three losses and managed one draw, the most recent setback being a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Goztepe in the Turkish Super Lig.

Van Bronckhorst will undoubtedly urge his squad to capitalize on their recent European resurgence. Another win on Thursday would mark the first time Besiktas have achieved three consecutive Europa League victories since their memorable four-match winning streak during the 2011-12 campaign. Historically, the Black Eagles have fared well against Israeli opposition, maintaining an unbeaten record across six encounters. This impressive record includes four wins and two draws, with two victories notably coming against Maccabi Tel Aviv during the 2011-12 Europa League season. Such history might inspire confidence, yet recent struggles at home could temper their optimism. Besiktas have lost three of their last five matches on home soil across all competitions, including a 3-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.

For Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Europa League has been a grueling ordeal this season. After four group-stage matches, they remain one of just two teams yet to register a point. The Israeli outfit endured a humbling 5-0 defeat to Ajax on matchday four, taking their goals conceded tally to a staggering 11—the most by any team in the current Europa League campaign. This dismal defensive record highlights their struggles on the continental stage and compounds a broader run of poor European form. The loss to Ajax marked their fifth consecutive defeat in European competitions, a streak that dates back to their elimination in the Conference League’s round of 16 against Olympiacos in March.

Despite these challenges, Maccabi Tel Aviv can take solace in their past performances against Turkish opponents. The Yellows enjoyed notable success during the 2020-21 Europa League campaign when they secured home-and-away victories over Sivasspor. Before that, however, they had failed to win in their first six encounters against Turkish teams. Manager Zarko Lazetic will hope that his side can replicate their past success and carry over their recent domestic momentum to the continental stage. Domestically, Maccabi Tel Aviv have performed admirably, currently sitting second in the Israeli Premier League with 22 points, level with league leaders Beitar Jerusalem. Their most recent league outing saw them clinch a commanding 4-0 victory over Bnei Sakhnin, further boosting morale.

Adding to their preparations, Maccabi Tel Aviv have enjoyed a two-week break since their last competitive fixture on November 10. This extended rest period could play a pivotal role in refreshing their squad and refining their strategy for Thursday’s clash in Istanbul. Lazetic will look to leverage this advantage as his team faces the daunting challenge of turning their Europa League fortunes around.

Besiktas, for their part, are keen to showcase their resilience and secure another vital win. Central to their efforts will likely be key players such as Ciro Immobile, whose presence in attack has been a significant factor in their recent European victories. The Turkish side will need to tighten up defensively, particularly at home, where they have shown vulnerability in recent matches. The defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League and their domestic losses underscore the need for improved consistency if they are to sustain their progress in the competition.

Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv must address their glaring defensive issues, having conceded the most goals in the tournament thus far. To stand a chance against Besiktas, Lazetic’s side will need a disciplined and cohesive defensive display, coupled with clinical finishing in front of goal. While their domestic success demonstrates their potential, translating that form to the European stage has proven elusive this season.

As both teams prepare for this critical encounter, the stakes are high. For Besiktas, a victory would bolster their chances of progressing further in the competition and reinforce the momentum they have built in recent matches. For Maccabi Tel Aviv, the match represents a final lifeline in their bid to avoid a winless European campaign and restore pride after a series of humbling defeats.

The rich history between these two teams adds an intriguing layer to the matchup. Besiktas’ unbeaten record against Israeli sides and their previous victories over Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2011 provide a psychological edge for the hosts. However, football is unpredictable, and Maccabi Tel Aviv will undoubtedly seek to rewrite the narrative and create their own memorable chapter in Istanbul.

In the end, this clash in the Europa League’s group stage could define the trajectory of both teams’ campaigns. Besiktas will look to continue their resurgence, while Maccabi Tel Aviv will fight to salvage a disappointing season. With contrasting forms and fortunes on the line, Thursday’s match promises to deliver drama and intensity as two teams with much to prove take to the pitch in Istanbul.