Turkish Super Lig champions Istanbul Basaksehir head to Denmark on Wednesday to renew their two-legged Europa League last 16 series versus FC Copenhagen.
Istanbul Basaksehir won the first leg in Turkey, 1-0, thanks to an 88th-minute penalty from forward Edin Visca. The first leg was evenly matched with FC Copenhagen feeling aggrieved of a penalty deciding the result of the game.
FC Copenhagen tallied 52% of the possession and tallied five shots to Istanbul Basaksehir’s eight. However, just one of the Lions’ shots was on target.
Wednesday night’s game will take place at FC Copenhagen’s Parken Stadion. Although played on their own turf, the club will be conscious that an away goal for Istanbul Basaksehir will kill off the tie.
⚽️ TRAINING SESSION | August 3 pic.twitter.com/k5Bwyyg1Mq— Istanbul Basaksehir ENG #Champion (@ibfk2014En) August 3, 2020
⚽️ TRAINING SESSION | August 3 pic.twitter.com/k5Bwyyg1Mq
The Turkish team were able to hold of FC Copenhagen in the first leg giving them the advantage for the second fixture. Now, Istanbul Basaksehir can keep their goal of a unique trophy double alive.
Forward Visca will be Istanbul Basaksehir’s dangerman. The Bosnian leads the club in scoring with 19 goals in 46 matches. He got the penalty in the first leg to give his side the aggregate advantage. Striker Demba Ba has added 15 goals of his own.
FC Copenhagen have their own goal scorers they will rely on. Unfortunately, in January, the club sold off their best striker. Pieros Sotiriou bagged 13 goals in 30 games leaving a whole in the team’s attack.
Meanwhile, Dame N’Doye was allowed to leave on August 1st after scoring 12 goals in 21 goals. Without the veteran, they will be dependent on other players to get the goals. The Lions have the players to get the job done but on paper, Istanbul Basaksehir have the better overall squad.
Stale Solbakken’s team finished second in the Danish Superliga 14 points behind winners Midtjylland. Two wins from FC Copenhagen’s last eight games in the league saw them fall off the pace and lose out on the championship.
The club also failed to win the Danish Cup losing in the quarterfinals to Aalborg. Now, Solbakken has one trophy on his mind and it is the Europa League.
Neither side finished their domestic campaigns well. However, having finally won the Super Lig for the first time, Istanbul Basaksehir should have the momentum to win in Denmark. A win for the Turks will set them up against either Manchester United or LASK Linz in the quarterfinals.
The second leg should unfold similar to the first match between the clubs with a mere goal separating them. Expect an Istanbul Basaksehir win with under 2.5 goals scored. The Turks should win to nil ending FC Copenhagen’s journey in the cup tournament.