Beşiktaş submit UEFA squad: Trossard left out of Midtjylland tie
Beşiktaş have officially submitted their squad list to UEFA ahead of their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round clashes with Danish side Midtjylland, but new signing Leandro Trossard has not been included in the roster.
The Istanbul club will host Midtjylland in the first leg on Thursday, 23 July, at 21:00 local time. The return match is scheduled for Thursday, 30 July, at 20:00 (TSI) in Denmark. The squad registered for this two-legged tie is expected to form the backbone of Beşiktaş’s European campaign in the early stages of the season.
Goalkeepers
Beşiktaş enter the Europa League qualifiers with three goalkeepers:
– Alexander Nübel
– Doğan Alemdar
– Emre Bilgin
Nübel is projected to be the first-choice option between the posts, bringing top-level experience and composure to the back line. Behind him, Doğan Alemdar and Emre Bilgin provide depth and competition, giving the technical staff flexibility in case of rotation or injuries during this tight European schedule.
Defenders
The defensive unit registered with UEFA is deep and versatile:
– Emmanuel Agbadou
– Felix Uduokhai
– Kassoum Ouattara
– Taylan Bulut
– Rıdvan Yılmaz
– Tiago Djalo
– Emirhan Topçu
– Yasin Özcan
– Amir Murillo
This mix of central defenders and full-backs allows Beşiktaş to switch between a back four and a three-man defensive line if needed. Uduokhai and Agbadou stand out as strong, physical centre-backs, while Tiago Djalo’s athleticism and ability to defend large spaces may prove crucial against a high-intensity side like Midtjylland.
On the flanks, Rıdvan Yılmaz and Kassoum Ouattara offer attacking thrust from left-back, capable of overlapping and providing width in the final third. On the right, Amir Murillo brings experience and reliability, while young names such as Taylan Bulut, Emirhan Topçu and Yasin Özcan increase internal competition and provide options for rotation across domestic and European fixtures.
Midfielders
The heart of the team is packed with quality and balance:
– Orkun Kökçü
– Salih Özcan
– Wilfred Ndidi
– Amir Hadziahmetovic
– Milot Rashica
– Kartal Yılmaz
– Junior Olaitan
– Vaclav Cerny
– İlhan Fakılı
In central midfield, Wilfred Ndidi is expected to anchor the play as a defensive shield in front of the back line, winning duels and breaking up opposition attacks. Alongside him, Orkun Kökçü and Salih Özcan bring passing range, tactical intelligence and the ability to dictate tempo, especially vital in away matches where ball retention is key.
Amir Hadziahmetovic adds another layer of control and work rate in the middle, capable of operating as a box-to-box midfielder. Going forward, Milot Rashica and Vaclav Cerny offer pace and creativity on the wings, both able to cut inside and threaten with shots from distance or decisive passes in the final third. Junior Olaitan and Kartal Yılmaz provide energy and versatility, while İlhan Fakılı increases depth as an option for rotation across the attacking midfield or wide positions.
Forwards
Beşiktaş’s attacking line registered for the qualifiers consists of:
– Hyeon-Gyu Oh
– Mustafa Hekimoğlu
– Semih Kılıçsoy
Hyeon-Gyu Oh is likely to be the focal point up front, known for his movement, physical presence and ability to finish inside the box. Semih Kılıçsoy, one of the brightest young talents at the club, can operate both as a central striker and in wider attacking roles, giving Beşiktaş an unpredictable dimension in the final third. Mustafa Hekimoğlu, meanwhile, strengthens the rotation options and can be used as an impact player from the bench.
Why Leandro Trossard is not on the UEFA list
Despite the excitement around the arrival of Leandro Trossard, the Belgian attacker has not been included in Beşiktaş’s UEFA list for the Midtjylland matches. Although the club has not issued a detailed public explanation, several common factors typically influence such decisions:
– Registration deadlines: UEFA has strict cut-off dates for submitting squad lists before each qualifying round. If a transfer is completed after this deadline, the player cannot be registered for that specific phase.
– Strategic planning: Technical staff sometimes prioritize existing chemistry in early qualifying rounds, especially when the team is already well-prepared tactically, bringing new signings into European competition at later stages.
– Fitness and adaptation: New arrivals may need additional time to reach full match sharpness or to adapt to the team’s playing style, and coaches may choose not to rush them into crucial European fixtures.
Whatever the exact combination of reasons, the absence of Trossard means Beşiktaş will rely on their current forward and attacking midfield options to carry them through the second qualifying round.
Potential tactical approach against Midtjylland
Given the composition of the registered squad, Beşiktaş have the tools to approach the Midtjylland tie with tactical flexibility. A common structure could see a double pivot of Ndidi and Salih Özcan or Hadziahmetovic protecting the back line, with Kökçü operating slightly higher to connect midfield and attack.
Rashica and Cerny can stretch the opposition on the wings, either staying wide to open lanes for overlapping full-backs like Rıdvan or Murillo, or drifting inside to combine with Kökçü and the central forward. In such a setup, Oh or Kılıçsoy would function as the main reference point in the penalty area, looking to capitalize on crosses and through balls.
Importance of the Midtjylland tie for Beşiktaş
The double-header against Midtjylland is not just another early-season fixture. Progression from the second qualifying round is critical for several reasons:
– Financial benefits: Advancing in the Europa League brings significant prize money and matchday revenue.
– Sporting prestige: A strong run in Europe enhances the club’s international profile and attractiveness for future signings.
– Team building: Competitive European matches at the beginning of the season help the squad find rhythm and build cohesion under real pressure.
Failing to progress would not only represent a sporting setback but would also impact the club’s broader seasonal planning, making these matches particularly high-stakes.
Possible opponents in the next round
If Beşiktaş eliminate Midtjylland, they will move on to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. There they are set to face the winner of the tie between Tromsø and Hradec Králové. Both clubs bring different challenges: Scandinavian teams typically offer physical, direct football, while Central European sides are often compact, disciplined and tactically flexible.
This scenario gives Beşiktaş an incentive to not only win but to do so in a way that allows the coaching staff to test and refine tactical solutions that may be needed in the following round.
Balance of youth and experience
One notable feature of the submitted UEFA list is the blend of seasoned internationals and promising youngsters. Names like Ndidi, Kökçü, Rashica and Uduokhai bring experience from top European leagues and national teams. At the same time, players such as Semih Kılıçsoy, Emirhan Topçu, Yasin Özcan and Taylan Bulut represent the new generation, pushing for more minutes and adding energy and hunger to the squad.
This balance can be a decisive advantage over the course of a demanding European campaign: experienced players help manage pressure, while young talents often provide the unexpected spark in tight matches.
Squad depth and rotation strategy
The breadth of options in each line suggests that Beşiktaş are planning for intense rotation between domestic and European matches. With three goalkeepers, a large group of defenders, and multiple profiles in midfield and attack, the coaching staff can adjust line-ups based on opponent, match conditions and player fatigue.
In the Europa League qualifiers, where travel, changing climates and different playing surfaces are common, having a deep squad is not a luxury but a necessity. The chosen list indicates that Beşiktaş aim to stay competitive on multiple fronts without overburdening key players in the opening weeks of the season.
Outlook
Beşiktaş head into the Midtjylland clash with a well-balanced, versatile group, albeit without newly acquired Leandro Trossard. The emphasis will be on defensive solidity, midfield control and efficient finishing from Oh, Kılıçsoy and the attacking midfielders. If the team can translate the quality on paper into cohesive performances on the pitch, they will be well-positioned to advance to the third qualifying round and continue their push towards the Europa League group stage.