UCL matchday 4: Beşiktaş – AS Monaco

With 9 points already in the bag, Beşiktaş can secure qualification to the next round of the Champions League for the first time in their history if they beat Monaco tonight for the second time in three weeks.

With maximum points the Black Eagles are in pole position in Group G and only need one more victory to secure their historic first ever qualification from the UEFA Champions League group stages, a draw could even suffice depending on the result in the other match while a win could also guarantee them a top spot finish in the group, which again depends on the result in the other match.

While Beşiktaş are top of the table, Monaco are at the very bottom. The French outfit reached the semi-finals just last season while also clinching the Ligue 1 championship. That however came at a price as Monaco lost several key components to what made their team so successful last season and thusfar their European campaign has been extremely underwhelming. In fact, Monaco is playing their very last card tonight at the Vodafone Park, if they fail to get all 3 points yet again they could already see themselves out of the tournament, depending ont he result in the other match. Monaco need to win, but Beşiktaş have never lost at their brand new Vodafone Park stadium in European competition and have gone 11 matches unbeaten at home in Europe.

Monaco will also have to do without their star striker Radamel Falcao and defender Djibril Sidibé. While Beşiktaş are at full strength, despite not including leftback Caner Erkin in the matchday squad.

While results in the Champions League have been excellent so far for Beşiktaş, their domestic run has suffered from their European schedule and several players are not in top form right now. Anderson Talisca is one of those key players who has been struggeling in recent weeks and may find himself on the bench tonight, despite scoring two Champions League goals already this term.

Despite scoring the all important winner in the dying minutes away against Alanyaspor, Şenol Güneş is not expected to start with Spanish striker Álvaro Negredo, instead everything points toward his typical offensive three of Ryan Babel, Cenk Tosun and Ricardo Quaresma.

Leonardo Jardim has included Andrea Raggi in his matchday squad for the first time in quite some time, he hopes the Italian defender can add some stability to Monaco’s back four as the French have conceded 6 goals already in their 3 Champions League matches.

With their main man up front, Radamel Falcao, being out for this match Monaco will be looking to Keita Baldé to provide the team with a spark of hope. Monaco have been going through a tough period and will hope to hold out and not concede an early goal, while at the same time hoping Keita’s speed and skill can silence the hostile home crowd.

As stated previously Beşiktaş haven’t lost a European home game in their last 11 matches, but they’ve also never lost to a French opponent, however they’ve also never managed to keep a clean sheet against a French opponent.

Beşiktaş are clear favourites headed in to tonight’s clash with Monaco, but with this being Monaco’s very last chance they will have to give it all they’ve got to secure at least a point in what could very well be their very last chance.

Beşiktaş JK (TUR) – AS Monaco (FRA)
Location: Vodafone Park
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento (ITA)
Date: Wednesday, November 1st
Time: 18:00 CET
Channel: Tivibu
Matchday 4

Beşiktaş predicted XI:

Fabri; Gökhan Gönül, Pepe, Duško Tošić, Adriano Correia; Atiba Hutchinson, Tolgay Arslan, Oğuzhan Özyakup; Ricardo Quaresma, Cenk Tosun, Ryan Babel

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Kaan Bayazit

Editor-in-chief at Beşiktaş International

Freelance sports writer specialized in Turkish football and Beşiktaş. Co-host of the Black Eagles podcast. Frequently featured in World Soccer Digest Japan and many other international media outlets. Following Turkish football for close to two decades. Proud father to Aedin.

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