As excitement builds in Istanbul, Beşiktaş prepares to host Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round, a fixture that holds both immediate pressure and long-term dreams. Ahead of the much-anticipated first leg, head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Turkish international Orkun Kökçü addressed the media in a joint press conference, offering insights into the team’s mindset, preparations, and aspirations.
Kökçü Embraces Beşiktaş Future and Match Excitement
Recently signed from Benfica, Orkun Kökçü has quickly won the hearts of Beşiktaş fans with both his skill and sincerity. Speaking confidently ahead of the match, the midfielder made his intentions clear:
“Shakhtar is a strong team. We know what kind of football Arda Turan wants them to play. It will be a tough but good match. We’ve prepared very well with our coach and want to go into the second leg with an advantage.”
SEO keywords: Beşiktaş vs Shakhtar Donetsk, Orkun Kökçü Beşiktaş, Europa League 2nd qualifying round, Solskjaer Beşiktaş coach, UEFA Europa League 2025
Asked about his physical condition after a short break following his last match three weeks ago, Kökçü responded with confidence:
“I had five to six days off, then joined the camp. I don’t feel like I’ve lost much. I’m ready — but it’s the coach’s decision.”
Kökçü also reflected on his emotional readiness for the match:
“I’m excited, but less than I was during my signing ceremony. Tomorrow, I’ll be doing what I love most — playing football. I can’t wait.”
He praised his teammates and showed particular support for young midfielder Demir Ege:
“I like Demir Ege a lot. We played against each other in Portugal. He has a bright future. I get along well with everyone on the pitch. But it’s the coach who decides the lineup.”
“I Will Stay at Beşiktaş as Long as They Want Me”
In one of the press conference’s most emotional moments, Kökçü made it clear that he’s not planning a quick move to Europe:
“If Beşiktaş wants to keep me, I’ll stay until the end. I’m not thinking about going to Europe. I had the same experience at Feyenoord — I’m happy here. And when I’m happy, I stay.”
Such statements are rare in modern football, and Kökçü’s words have already made waves among Beşiktaş supporters who are eager to see a new club legend in the making.
Solskjaer Eyes Europa League Final in Istanbul
Taking the stage next, Beşiktaş head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was focused but calm. He acknowledged the significance of the match and the challenge posed by their Ukrainian opponents:
“Shakhtar is a good team that can create problems. We’ve got two important games ahead and we’re ready for them.”
When asked about the UEFA Europa League Final being scheduled to take place at Tüpraş Stadium — Beşiktaş’s home ground — Solskjaer revealed a deeper motivation:
“Of course, it’s a dream to reach the final, especially when it’s at our stadium. That’s extra motivation. But getting there takes discipline and hard work. Our goal is always the top.”
Solskjaer compared the Europa League journey to a hurdle race:
“To reach that level, you need to stay focused. Every hurdle must be cleared, but the first one is always the highest. We must be realistic but also believe in ourselves.”
Match Build-Up and Tactical Expectations
Beşiktaş is expected to line up with a balanced 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring experienced players in key positions and creative control led by Orkun Kökçü. Solskjaer’s influence has already brought a more structured and disciplined approach, focusing on pressing, compact defending, and quick transitions.
Shakhtar, coached by former Turkish star Arda Turan, will likely opt for an attacking strategy built on possession, fluid passing, and exploiting wide areas. The tactical battle between Solskjaer’s pragmatism and Turan’s creativity could be one of the most intriguing storylines of the round.
Key players to watch:
Beşiktaş: Orkun Kökçü, Vincent Aboubakar, Rachid Ghezzal
Shakhtar: Mykhailo Mudryk (if involved), Danylo Sikan, Heorhiy Sudakov
Supporters Expected to Fill the Stadium
With excitement building in Istanbul, Beşiktaş fans are expected to pack the Tüpraş Stadium to full capacity. The club’s ultras — the Çarşı group — are known for their passionate displays, and with the Europa League Final set to take place at their home, there’s a sense of destiny and momentum building around the club.
“Our fans will fill the stadium and support us,” Kökçü said. “It will be a beautiful day.”
More Than Just a Match
For Beşiktaş, the match against Shakhtar Donetsk is not just another step in their European campaign — it’s the first hurdle in a journey that could end at home, in front of their fans, lifting the Europa League trophy. For Solskjaer, it’s a return to European competition with new ambitions, and for Kökçü, it’s the beginning of what could be a legendary chapter in black-and-white.
With discipline, belief, and unity, Beşiktaş fans can dare to dream. The road to the final starts now.
