The Daily Star Ireland
Besiktas approach the decisive second leg of their UEFA Conference League third qualifying round against St. Patrick’s Athletic holding a commanding 4-1 aggregate lead. While their position on the pitch is strong, the atmosphere around the club is clouded by speculation over the future of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. After an encouraging start that included a derby win over Fenerbahce, recent dips in form—highlighted by a 4-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk—have reportedly prompted the board to consider alternatives, with Nuri Sahin and former coach Sergen Yalcin among the names linked to the role.
On the transfer front, Besiktas have bolstered their squad with the €9.5 million acquisition of Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City, strengthening a midfield that has seen considerable turnover. Tammy Abraham, fresh from a hat-trick in the first leg, remains the key attacking weapon as the Turkish giants look to finish the job at Vodafone Park.
St. Patrick’s Face Tall Order in Istanbul
Stephen Kenny’s St. Patrick’s Athletic face a monumental challenge to overturn the deficit. Their recent form has been mixed—securing a hard-fought 2-2 draw away to Kalju and a 2-0 domestic win over Waterford—but inconsistency and defensive frailties were evident in the first-leg defeat. New arrival Jordon Garrick adds pace and unpredictability to the attack, while Mason Melia’s return to scoring form offers a glimmer of optimism. Kenny’s tactical nous will be critical as he searches for a way to unsettle Besiktas’ well-equipped squad.
The Irish side’s likely approach will be compact and disciplined, relying on counterattacks to exploit spaces left by the home side. Garrick and Melia’s ability to stretch the Besiktas defense could be their best chance of finding a breakthrough. However, with the cauldron-like atmosphere expected in Istanbul, the visitors will need composure and clinical finishing to keep the tie alive.
Prediction
Besiktas are expected to control possession and use their wide players aggressively, with Ndidi’s stability in midfield allowing greater attacking freedom for the creative unit behind Abraham. St. Pat’s will likely focus on containment, hoping to frustrate their hosts and snatch opportunities on the break. While their resilience in past European fixtures suggests they won’t surrender easily, the quality and depth of Besiktas should prove decisive.
The Turkish side’s strong home record—unbeaten in 16 Conference League games, with 12 wins—combined with Abraham’s form, makes them clear favorites to advance comfortably. For St. Patrick’s, a spirited display could restore confidence for the domestic campaign, even if the European journey ends here.
Prediction: Besiktas 3:0 St. Patrick’s.
