Sports
Barcelona aim 9-point cushion as Madrid look to spoil Clasico party
Barcelona will look to strengthen their grip on the La Liga title race Sunday when they host Real Madrid at Camp Nou, with a victory potentially opening a nine-point gap over their fiercest rivals.
Hansi Flick’s side have dominated the league in the early stages of the season, but their preparations have been complicated by a 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The loss exposed defensive weaknesses that could prove costly against a Real Madrid side beginning to find its rhythm under Jose Mourinho.
Los Blancos have won four consecutive matches, including a convincing victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday, and appear increasingly settled under their new coach.
Yet La Blaugrana remain well positioned to deliver a significant blow to their rivals’ title ambitions.
The Catalans enter the weekend at the top of the standings with 27 points from nine matches, six ahead of third-placed Madrid, who have 21.
Atletico Madrid sit second with 22 points.
A Barça victory would give Flick’s team a commanding advantage at this stage of the campaign, while a Madrid win would narrow the gap and inject fresh uncertainty into the title race.
Barcelona also have reasons for optimism. Raphinha has returned to fitness, while teenage winger Lamine Yamal continues to provide a major attacking threat. The two have been central to a side that has scored 39 goals in nine league matches, averaging more than four per game.
However, the defeat in Paris served as a reminder that Barcelona’s attacking brilliance can be undermined by their defensive vulnerabilities.
Vinicius’ absence
The Clasico could also mark an important moment for Mourinho, whose attempts to build a cohesive team have been complicated by the challenge of accommodating Madrid’s attacking stars.
Vinicius Junior will miss Sunday’s match through suspension after receiving a red card against Villarreal.
While the Brazilian’s absence deprives Madrid of one of their most dangerous forwards, it could also give Mourinho greater freedom to adjust his tactical approach.
Spanish newspaper AS reported that Vinicius’ four-match suspension was viewed within Madrid as more of a solution than a problem, reflecting the difficulties of balancing the team when all its leading attackers are available.
Mourinho has generally sought to include his biggest names, but finding the right balance between attacking firepower and defensive stability remains a challenge.
Teenager Yan Diomande, Madrid’s record 140 million euros ($157 million) signing, could provide an alternative. His defensive contribution, combined with improving attacking form, may make him a suitable option against Barcelona.
Mourinho could also strengthen his midfield to disrupt Barcelona’s passing patterns and limit the space available to Yamal and Raphinha. However, PSG demonstrated that Barcelona can be vulnerable when opponents attack aggressively rather than simply attempting to contain them.
Despite Madrid’s improved results, Mourinho played down the significance of confidence ahead of the encounter.
“Confidence doesn’t exist” for Clasicos, he said, emphasizing the unique pressure surrounding the fixture. He also complained that Madrid would have 24 fewer hours of rest than Barcelona before Sunday’s match.
The scheduling issue could become significant if Barcelona’s recent workload begins to affect their intensity, particularly given their demanding pressing game and high defensive line.
Barcelona’s defensive concerns
Barcelona face several selection problems of their own.
Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen are sidelined, while Jules Kounde is a doubt with an ankle issue.
Midfielder Dani Olmo is also unavailable after suffering an adductor injury against PSG, with his absence expected to last around a month. Roony Bardghji is another player missing from the squad.
The injuries leave Flick with fewer options as he attempts to address the defensive problems exposed in Paris.
Barcelona conceded four goals against PSG, with Desire Doue, Lucas Hernandez, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz finding the net for the French side.
Xavi Espart and Yamal scored for the visitors in a high-tempo contest that exposed the risks associated with Barcelona’s aggressive defensive line.
Flick acknowledged that his team’s mistakes had contributed to the defeat, particularly in possession.
“We made too many mistakes, especially in ball possession, easy ball losses,” he said. “This is what we have to analyze.”
The German coach also pointed to fatigue following a demanding run of matches, suggesting that his players’ physical condition had contributed to their loss of concentration.
“We have to understand the mistakes happen because (players) are not fresh. What they had to do the last couple of weeks is unbelievable,” Flick said.
Those concerns will be particularly relevant against Madrid, who possess the pace and finishing ability to punish defensive errors. If Barcelona continue to lose possession in dangerous areas, their attacking dominance could leave them exposed.
Raphinha and Yamal lead charge
Despite their defensive shortcomings, Barcelona’s ability to score remains their greatest strength.
The team have scored at least twice in every match this season, maintaining an attacking consistency that has helped them establish an early advantage in the league.
Raphinha leads the La Liga scoring charts with 12 goals, three more than Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe.
Yamal follows with eight, underlining Barcelona’s dependence on a forward line capable of producing goals from multiple positions.
“Our unbeaten run (domestically) is still intact, and we’ll do everything we can to keep it that way,” Raphinha told TNT Sports.
Mbappe and Yamal also have individual recognition in their sights, with both hoping to be crowned the world’s best player at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony. But the immediate priority for both forwards will be delivering a victory that could shape the direction of the title race.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa endorsed Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president on Friday, signaling a reconciliation two months after accusing the soccer chief of a “breach of trust” over a plan to bring private investors into FIFA’s commercial operations.
Speaking at the AFC’s extraordinary congress in Tokyo, Sheikh Salman said he had resolved his differences with Infantino, whose reelection campaign has gained support across Asia and Africa despite continued scrutiny from European soccer’s governing body, UEFA.
“I think that we reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as a FIFA president,” Sheikh Salman told Infantino, who attended the meeting.
The Bahraini official acknowledged their earlier disagreements but said recent discussions had cleared the air.
“The last few days we met in Zurich. You made it clear that there was a true, a clear understanding between us,” he said. “As one Asian family we are ready to move forward, united in your support Gianni.”
The endorsement could prove significant as Infantino seeks a fourth term in office, extending his presidency through 2031. Candidates must submit their nominations by Nov. 18, ahead of the election scheduled for March.
The reconciliation follows a dispute over the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed commercial entity that would have held rights linked to major competitions, including the World Cup. Infantino’s attempt to attract private investment into the venture in July prompted criticism from several confederation leaders, including Sheikh Salman, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, who jointly issued an open letter questioning Infantino’s conduct.
Infantino apologized over the handling of the project at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich this month. He also withdrew the proposal, according to Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, who said Infantino had made clear he would not pursue it further.
UEFA, however, continues to seek answers from FIFA about Infantino’s presidency, including the FFE controversy and the FIFA Peace Prize. Reuters contacted UEFA for comment on Sheikh Salman’s endorsement.
Infantino returns the favor
Infantino praised Sheikh Salman at the Tokyo congress, backing the AFC president’s own bid for another term.
“You’ve been doing a fantastic job in AFC in the last 13 years, my dear Salman,” Infantino said. “You will do fantastically as well for the next how many years you want. And always, always with my full support.”
Asked about the AFC’s endorsement, Infantino said he felt great about the confederation’s support.
Several influential Asian members, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have already publicly backed his reelection campaign. However, it remains unclear whether all 47 AFC member associations support him.
Miyamoto said Japan was considering aligning its position with the AFC but had not made a final decision. He also cautioned that member associations might not share a unanimous view.
“I don’t think the AFC members’ opinions are all aligned together,” Miyamoto said, adding that discussions between the AFC and FIFA had taken place over recent months.
He said Infantino’s apology and withdrawal of the FFE proposal had been factors in the discussions.
Africa has also backed Infantino, while UEFA remains a source of opposition as questions over FIFA’s leadership continue. Reuters has contacted AFC member associations to clarify their positions.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized NBA superstar LeBron James on Thursday for what he called disrespectful behavior during the singing of the national anthem before the Philadelphia 76ers’ season opener.
“I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE,” Trump said in a social media post accompanied by a video showing James moving his body during the singing of the anthem.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country,” he said, calling for the star to “apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!”
James appeared to practice a golf swing and jump shot as The Star-Spangled Banner was performed at Tuesday’s game in New York. James, starting his first season with Philadelphia, was lined up alongside teammates who mostly stood still during the anthem.
Trump has repeatedly criticized athletes for their behavior during pre-game renditions of the U.S. national anthem, notably beginning with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protest in support of racial justice.
Trump canceled a planned White House visit of the Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 after the team disagreed with his call for players to stand during the anthem.
James became a leading voice in the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and has frequently supported progressive issues as he ascended to the top of the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
James had not made a public comment or a social media post as of Thursday afternoon about Trump’s gripe.
The two have been critical of each other for years, occasionally trading public swipes.
The 41-year-old James, in his record 24th NBA season, was set to make his home debut for the Sixers Thursday night against Cleveland.
Among some of the more notable times James became entangled with the president or politics.
James was with Cleveland in 2017 when he made a statement during an NBA game with his shoes – one black, one white, with the word “equality” in capital gold letters on the back of each.
Then, after the game, James made a statement about Trump, saying: “This is a beautiful country and we’re never going to let one person dictate how beautiful and how powerful we are.”
James had called Trump “a bum” and also said earlier that season of the president: “He doesn’t understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United States for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement. He doesn’t understand that, and that’s what makes me more sick than anything.”
James showed determination to speak out on social issues and the nation’s political climate after Fox News host Laura Ingraham criticized the four-time NBA champion for his 2018 comments about social issues.
“We will definitely not shut up and dribble,” James said. “I will definitely not do that. I mean too much to society. I mean too much to the youth. I mean too much to so many kids that feel like they don’t have a way out and they need someone to help lead them out of the situation they’re in.”
James referenced Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Bill Russell and Jackie Robinson as athletes who previously spoke up for equality and change with no concerns about the consequences or any rewards.
“We know it’s bigger than us,” James said.
At the peak of Black Lives Matter, James helped convince many who had never voted to finally head to the polls.
“I still know what I do on the floor and obviously, I give everything to the game,” James said. “But I can make a greater impact off the floor right now, more than I can on the floor. And I want to continue to inspire people with the way I play the game of basketball. But there’s so many more things that I can do off the floor to help cultivate people, inspire people, bring people together, empower them.”
AC Milan striker and former LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic blasted socially conscious athletes in a 2021 interview. Ibrahimovic called it “a mistake” for James and other athletes to get involved in political causes, saying they should “just do what you do best, because it doesn’t look good.”
James, naturally, rejected the criticism.
“I would never shut up about things that are wrong,” James said.
Beşiktaş fought back and played the last stretch with 10 men to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
The Premier League side were the better side for much of the first half, but Wilfred Ndidi gave the hosts the lead in first-half stoppage time. Yeremy Pino leveled six minutes after the restart.
Four minutes later, Jean-Philippe Mateta, on his first start since the opening day, put the visitors ahead. He had already had a first-half goal ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside in the build-up.
Beşiktaş equalized in the 73rd minute through Junior Olaitan. Four minutes later, Ümit Akdağ was sent off for a clumsy challenge on Jorgen Strand Larsen, who was forced off injured.
The English side still failed to make use of a one-man advantage.
Head coach Vincenzo Italiano made nine changes to the Süper Lig side that lost to Trabzonspor on Monday. Palace arrived after a 5-0 defeat at Brighton on Sunday.
Trabzonspor maintains perfect Conference League record
In the Conference League, Mohamed Salah marked his 150th game in European competitions by scoring again and setting up another goal as Trabzonspor beat Scottish side Hearts 2-0 at home.
It was the second goal for Salah in the competition after netting in the 4-2 win away at KuPS Kuopio in the opener.
It was Trabzonspor’s fifth straight win under head coach Thomas Reis.
Hearts started on the bright side and hit the post in the seventh minute through Malachi Fagan-Walcott’s header from a Calvin Miller corner.
Trabzonspor then took control. In the 30th minute, Franculino was fouled in the box by Tomas Magnusson, and Salah converted the penalty two minutes later, sending goalkeeper Beau Reus the wrong way.
Benjamin Bouchouari twice came close to a second before the break, volleying over and then being denied by Reus in stoppage time.
The second came in the 58th minute, when Franculino exchanged passes with Salah and fired a first-time left-footed shot into the top corner.
Trabzonspor’s Sidny Cabral was sent off in the fifth minute of stoppage time for a second yellow card.
Hearts, who had drawn 1-1 with Nordsjaelland on matchday one, were beaten 7-1 by Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Bournemouth beat 10-man Milan, Juventus held to draw
Elsewhere, Bournemouth earned the biggest win of their first European campaign by beating 10-man AC Milan 3-0 in the Europa League after goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off for shoving an opponent in the face during a corner.
Bournemouth had already taken the lead from a penalty when Maignan was shown a straight red card and conceded another spot kick by putting his gloves in the face of U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams and pushing him to the ground.
Marcus Tavernier converted the second penalty against substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani to double the lead, and there was no way back for Milan after that. Substitute Amine Adli made it 3-0 late with a perfectly executed curling free kick.
Four other teams also have three wins from three, including Bayer Leverkusen after Jonas Hofmann scored twice in a three-minute span to secure a 2-0 victory at OFI Crete.
But Juventus were held to a 2-2 draw by Rennes after having a late winner ruled out for offside.
Hofmann netted his double late in the first half as Leverkusen continued their good start under new coach Carles Martínez, who has now overseen seven wins from eight games across all competitions since starting with a shock loss to Elversberg.
Ferencvaros also stayed perfect after a 4-1 victory over Portuguese second-division side Torreense.
In a clash of two unbeaten teams, Benfica won 4-1 at Omonia while Olympiacos needed a late own goal to secure their third straight win, 1-0 win over Sparta Prague.
Nick Woltemade converted from the spot in the 67th minute to salvage a 2-2 home draw for Juventus against Rennes, but the hosts had a potential winner by Jhon Lucumi ruled out by VAR.
It was Woltemade’s third goal in three games in the competition after joining on loan from Newcastle.
The Bianconeri pressured early and took the lead on a quick attack after Zeki Çelik collected a through pass from Woltemade. But Musa Al-Taamari equalized and Boulaye Dia calmly gave the visitors the lead from the spot, sending Juve goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario the wrong way.
Like Juve, Sunderland hoped to make it three wins from three on a trip to Lech Poznan. Forward Timur Tutierov put the Premier League side ahead with a header with his first Europa League goal in the second minute, but substitute Leo Bengtsson made it 1-1 in the second half to earn a first point for the Polish club.
In other results, Celtic lost 2-1 at home to Celta Vigo, Hoffenheim got their first points with a 3-0 win over Ligue 1 leader Lyon and Real Sociedad had the biggest win of the night, 6-0 at Lillestrom.
Earlier, Marseille recorded a third straight loss, 1-0 to Sturm Graz, while Union Saint-Gilloise routed Israel’s Hapoel Beer-Sheva 4-0. That game was played without fans in Düsseldorf, Germany, after authorities in Leuven, Belgium, refused to host it due to public safety.
In the Conference League, Czech provincial side Jablonec kept high-scoring Brighton at bay in a 0-0 draw, as last season’s Europa League runners-up Freiburg failed to build on their win in the opener and were beaten 3-0 at Monaco, while Ajax snuck a 2-0 win over Atalanta.
Turkish rider Deniz Öncü will target a podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend as he looks to improve his results in the 2026 Moto2 World Championship.
The 23-year-old will compete for ELF Marc VDS Racing Team at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in the 18th round of the season, according to the Turkish Motorcycle Federation (TMF).
Öncü will begin his weekend with free practice on Friday before Saturday’s qualifying session determines the starting grid for Sunday’s 23-lap race. The main event is scheduled to start at 4:15 a.m. Türkiye time.
The 4.448-kilometer (2.764-mile) circuit, renowned for its fast corners and coastal setting, will host the Australian Grand Prix for the final time before the event moves to a new street circuit in Adelaide in 2027.
Öncü has fond memories of Phillip Island, having won the Moto3 race there in 2023. He claimed three victories in the lightweight category before moving up to Moto2, where he is now seeking to regain the form that made him a race winner last season.
The Turkish rider secured two victories in 2025, at the Aragon and German Grands Prix and finished the championship in 12th place with 100 points. However, his first full season with ELF Marc VDS has proved more difficult as he adjusts to a new team and motorcycle.
After 17 rounds, Öncü sits 15th in the standings with 47.5 points. He finished 22nd at the Indonesian Grand Prix after starting 25th on the grid, leaving him eager to deliver a stronger performance in Australia.
Manuel González leads the championship with 265.5 points, followed by Izan Guevara on 260. Iván Ortolá is third with 191.5 points, while Daniel Holgado, David Alonso and Australian rider Senna Agius complete the top six.
Phillip Island’s flowing layout, unpredictable winds and high-speed corners can create a demanding test for riders, with qualifying position likely to be important in the fight for a competitive result.
Öncü will be Türkiye’s sole representative in the MotoGP paddock this weekend following Toprak Razgatlıoğlu’s season-ending injury in Indonesia.
Türkiye has appointed Sergen Yalçın as its new national team coach on a four-year contract, entrusting the former international with leading the team into a new era following the departure of Vincenzo Montella.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) held a signing ceremony at the Orhan Saka Conference Hall at the Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities, attended by federation president Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu and members of the board.
Yalçın, who previously played for Türkiye and has experience managing Turkish clubs, returns to the national setup in one of the most significant appointments of his coaching career.
Hacıosmanoğlu expressed confidence in the new coach, describing the appointment as an important step toward building a stronger national team and emphasizing the value of having a Turkish manager lead the side for the first time in five years.
He also paid tribute to Montella, thanking the Italian for his contributions to Turkish football and wishing him success in his future career.
“Today, we are experiencing the joy and pride of entrusting our national team to a Turkish coach again after five years,” Hacıosmanoğlu said. “Sergen Yalçın is one of the most valuable figures produced by Turkish football, known to everyone. His playing career, coaching experience, knowledge of the game and leadership qualities make him a strong candidate to take on this responsibility.”
The federation president said Yalçın’s familiarity with Turkish football and its players would give the national team an advantage, particularly in assessing their abilities, personalities and potential for development.
Hacıosmanoğlu added that the decision was based not only on Yalçın’s technical qualifications but also on his sense of national duty and commitment to a shared objective.
He praised the coach for not prioritizing financial considerations when accepting the position, describing it as evidence of his dedication to the national team and his desire to serve the country.
“For us, the national team stands above all personal expectations,” Hacıosmanoğlu said. “When it comes to the crescent-and-star jersey, our priority is to represent our country in the best possible way, make our nation proud and unite around common goals.”
He said the federation wanted to establish a team capable of achieving sustained success and competing consistently at the highest international level rather than focusing on short-term results.
Hacıosmanoğlu acknowledged that achieving those ambitions would require collective effort from the coaching staff, players, federation and supporters. He pledged to provide Yalçın with the conditions necessary to work effectively and reiterated his belief that the new coach could bring out the best in the squad.
“Most important day”
Yalçın described the appointment as a defining moment, thanking Hacıosmanoğlu and the federation’s board for placing their trust in him.
“During my playing career, I wore the crescent-and-star jersey many times. I tried to serve with great honor,” Yalçın said. “Today is the most important day of my career.”
The former international said the national team represented a value greater than any individual and expressed optimism about the period ahead.
“We are talking about something that stands above all of us, and that is the crescent and star,” he said. “We will experience very successful days from now on. We are making all our plans accordingly. Hopefully, this will be good for our country.”
Yalçın also stressed the importance of unity, saying the team would need to stand together to achieve its objectives.
“We have a great need for unity and togetherness,” he said. “I hope wonderful days lie ahead of us.”
Hacıosmanoğlu backs Yalçın
Speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony, Hacıosmanoğlu expanded on the reasoning behind the appointment, insisting that Montella’s contribution should not be overlooked while explaining why the federation opted for a Turkish coach.
He said the federation could have appointed another foreign manager but welcomed the opportunity to place the national team under Turkish leadership.
Hacıosmanoğlu also revealed that Yalçın had not featured on the candidate lists circulating before the appointment. He said his decision to approach the former coach directly reflected his confidence in Yalçın’s character, intelligence and work ethic.
“We prepared six or seven lists, and everyone put forward candidates, but Sergen Yalçın was not on any of them,” Hacıosmanoğlu said. “I trust his character and his courage. His intelligence is something else. If he combines that intelligence with hard work, I believe he can achieve outstanding success by acting as both a coach and an older brother to the players.”
According to Hacıosmanoğlu, Yalçın accepted the responsibility with the understanding that representing the country was an honor in itself.
The federation president said he hoped the new coach would demonstrate his capabilities through hard work and results, adding that he understood Yalçın’s character and the responsibilities he had carried since his early years in Turkish football.
Hacıosmanoğlu acknowledged the pressure that comes with managing the national team but said he had complete confidence in Yalçın’s ability to handle the challenge.
“The responsibility of being the national team’s coach is something entirely different,” he said. “I have unlimited faith that he will succeed.”
He added that the federation’s responsibility was to ensure Yalçın could concentrate on his work without unnecessary distractions, stressing that the entire organization would need to work harder to help the national team progress.
Beşiktaş will look to maintain their perfect start to the UEFA Europa League when they host Crystal Palace at Tüpraş Stadium in Istanbul on Thursday, with the Turkish side hoping to turn their home dominance into another European victory.
Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. Türkiye time.
Beşiktaş have won their opening two league-phase matches, defeating Olympique de Marseille 4-1 at home before edging Hoffenheim 3-2 away last week. Another victory would strengthen their position among the leading teams in the 36-team standings and extend their impressive European run.
The Black Eagles have scored seven goals in their first two matches, making them one of the competition’s most prolific sides at this stage. Their attacking form has helped establish them as early contenders, although their most recent domestic outing offered a reminder that maintaining consistency across competitions remains a challenge.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Trabzonspor in the Turkish Süper Lig last weekend, ending their winning run across competitions. The result left Beşiktaş fifth in the domestic standings after eight matches, four points behind leaders Galatasaray.
Thursday’s return to Dolmabahçe offers an opportunity to respond immediately, particularly given their outstanding record in front of their own supporters.
Tüpraş the fortress
Beşiktaş have won all eight of their home matches this season across the Süper Lig and European competitions, establishing Tüpraş Stadium as a formidable venue for visiting teams.
Their domestic victories include a 1-0 win over Eyüpspor, a 6-2 triumph against Arca Çorum FK, a 3-0 victory over Erzurumspor FK and a 2-1 result against Kocaelispor.
In Europe, they have beaten Midtjylland 1-0, Hradec Kralove 1-0, Kauno Zalgiris 3-0 and Marseille 4-1 at home. Across those eight matches, Beşiktaş have scored 21 goals and conceded just four.
Their European form has been equally encouraging away from Istanbul. Beşiktaş progressed through the qualifying rounds by eliminating Midtjylland and Hradec Králové before overcoming Kauno Zalgiris in the playoffs. They won seven of their eight European matches, including qualifiers, before Thursday’s encounter.
The Turkish side have also won their last four European home matches and could reach five consecutive home victories in UEFA competition for the first time with a win over Palace.
Beşiktaş have started the main phase of a UEFA competition with two victories on only three previous occasions, in the 1986-87 European Cup, the 2010-11 Europa League and the 2017-18 Champions League. Their current campaign gives them another opportunity to build on that record.
South Korean forward Oh Hyeon-gyu was instrumental in last week’s victory over Hoffenheim, scoring twice late in the game to secure all three points after an eventful second half.
Orkun Kökçü ruled out
Beşiktaş captain Orkun Kökçü will miss the Palace match as he continues to recover from a foot injury sustained during the Europa League victory over Hoffenheim.
The midfielder also missed Sunday’s defeat to Trabzonspor and is targeting a return next month, leaving Italiano without one of his key midfield options for the European fixture.
Winger Milot Rashica is another absentee. He is sidelined with a hamstring injury and has been left out of Beşiktaş’s Europa League squad.
Serbian striker Dušan Vlahovic, meanwhile, is competing with Oh for a starting place in attack. Vlahovic has scored six goals in as many Süper Lig appearances but missed the Hoffenheim match through illness and has yet to score in the Europa League this season.
Beşiktaş will need their attacking options to maintain their scoring form against a Palace side that has struggled defensively in recent weeks.
Palace pressure
Crystal Palace travel to Istanbul seeking to halt a run of defeats after a difficult start to their domestic and European campaigns.
The reigning UEFA Conference League champions began their Europa League campaign with a commanding 4-0 home victory over Lech Poznan, but their momentum has since stalled. They lost 3-2 away to Lyon last week despite second-half goals from Yeremy Pino and Daichi Kamada.
Their European setback was followed by a damaging 5-0 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday. Palace conceded three goals in the opening 10 minutes, suffering one of the heaviest defeats in their history against their south-coast rivals.
Manager Pierre Sage described his reaction to the Brighton loss as one of shame, highlighting the disappointment surrounding the team’s performance.
Palace have won only two of their first seven Premier League matches, drawing one and losing four. They sit 14th in the table with seven points, while their 17 goals conceded represent the highest total in the division at this stage.
The London club will also be looking to improve their away form. They have won only two of their last 11 matches on the road across all competitions, drawing three and losing six. They have conceded at least twice in nine of those fixtures.
Their challenge against Beşiktaş will therefore test both their defensive organization and their ability to respond after consecutive defeats.
Palace face defensive selection questions
Palace could make changes to their backline as they attempt to address the defensive problems exposed against Brighton and Lyon.
Chadi Riad remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury, while goalkeeper Dean Henderson, defender Ben Chilwell and fullback Takehiro Tomiyasu are due to have their respective foot, knee and calf injuries assessed after missing the Brighton match.
Axel Disasi is available again after serving a domestic suspension and could return to the starting lineup. He is an option to join Jaydee Canvot and Chris Richards in a three-man defense.
Oscar Mingueza is also pushing for a place at right wing-back, potentially replacing Anan Khalaili.
Further forward, Pino could feature alongside Ismaïla Sarr and Jorgen Strand Larsen as Palace seek a response in attack. Pino and Kamada helped make the Lyon match competitive after the break, but their efforts were not enough to prevent defeat.
Former Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and defender Emmanuel Agbadou are among Beşiktaş’s other potential options as Italiano considers his lineup.
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