Beşiktaş hosts Danish side Midtjylland at Tüpraş Stadium for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie, according to match reports. According to live match coverage, the fixture kicks off at 21:00 local time on Thursday, July 23, 2026, with Spanish Football Federation referee Ricardo de Burgos officiating the encounter and live broadcasting provided via S Sport Plus.
Match Action and Early Developments
According to live updates from the pitch, Beşiktaş holds a 1–0 lead in the first half following a 26th-minute goal by Orkun Kökçü. The Turkish club gained a numerical advantage early in the match when Midtjylland player Etim received a red card in the 15th minute, according to match reports.
Starting Lineups
According to official team sheets, Beşiktaş starts the match with Nübel, Murillo, Djalo, Emirhan, Rıdvan, Orkun, Salih, Cerny, İlhan, Olaitan, and Oh. Midtjylland counters with a starting eleven comprising Olafsson, Kristensen, Lee, Bech, Jensen, Billing, Bravo, Andreasen, Osorio, Franculino, and Etim, according to the same reports.
Did you know? This match marks Beşiktaş’s 259th appearance in European club competitions, spanning a history that began in 1959, according to club data.
Beşiktaş Historical European Record
Entering this fixture, Beşiktaş plays its 259th match in European competitions, according to club historical data. Siyah-beyazlılar have recorded 97 victories, 50 draws, and 111 defeats across 258 prior European fixtures, scoring 348 goals while conceding 395, according to official records. The club has represented Turkey abroad 47 times across various continental tournaments, including 19 appearances in the European Champion Clubs’ Cup and UEFA Champions League, 7 in the European Cup Winners’ Cup, 19 in the UEFA Cup and UEFA Europa League, and 2 in the UEFA Europa Conference League, according to club statistics.
Vincenzo Italiano’s Competitive Debut
The fixture against Midtjylland serves as the first official match for new Beşiktaş head coach Vincenzo Italiano, according to club announcements. Italiano signed a two-year contract in June, marking his official introduction to the team and supporters in a competitive fixture, according to team reports.
Pre-Season Preparations in Slovakia
Beşiktaş prepared for the new campaign with a series of six friendly matches during a training camp in Slovakia, according to club summaries. The team secured two victories, playing a 2–1 win against Hungarian side Gyirmot and a 0–0 draw against MTE 1904 KFT, followed by a 1–0 win over Austrian club SV Mattersburg and a 2–0 loss to Polish side Widzew Lodz in shortened tournament matches, according to pre-season logs. The camp concluded with a 1–1 draw against Slovak team Dinamo Malzenice and a 3–2 defeat against Spartak Trnava, with Beşiktaş scoring six goals and conceding seven across the six pre-season friendlies, according to official figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the Beşiktaş vs. Midtjylland match?
The match is broadcast live and encrypted on S Sport Plus, according to broadcast listings.
What is the venue and kickoff time for the fixture?
The game takes place at Tüpraş Stadium in Istanbul, starting at 21:00 on Thursday, July 23, 2026, according to match schedules.
Who is the referee for the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round first leg?
Ricardo de Burgos of the Spanish Football Federation is officiating the match, according to appointment details.
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