Besiktas head into their Conference League qualifier second leg against St Patrick's Athletic with a commanding 4-1 lead. The first leg saw Besiktas dominate, establishing a 3-0 lead within the first 23 minutes, effectively crushing St Patrick's Athletic's hopes early on.
Tammy Abraham shone, scoring a first-half hat-trick, while Joao Mario opened the scoring. Besiktas then eased off, creating fewer chances in the second half. St Pat's managed a late consolation goal despite having only 30% of possession.
The preparation for this match has been contrasting. St Pat's had a league match over the weekend, while Besiktas enjoyed a break, allowing them to focus on securing the win. With a Super Lig fixture approaching, Besiktas will aim to finish the job quickly and conserve energy for their domestic commitments.
How to Watch Besiktas vs. St Patrick's Athletic
Unfortunately, the game will not be broadcast live on TV in the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States (USA). In Türkiye, the game will be aired live on HT Spor. For live updates, check out GOAL's Live Match Centre.
Solskjaer's Warning
Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned St Patrick's Athletic that his team won't ease off, even with the significant lead. Despite Pat's showing some resilience in the second half of the first leg, overturning the three-goal deficit in Istanbul seems unlikely. St Pat's focus may well be on their upcoming FAI Cup tie against Shelbourne.
St Pat's midfielder Barry Baggley has adopted a realistic outlook, acknowledging the difficulty of the task ahead. The Irish side will be aiming to put in a strong performance and show their fans the improvements they've made.