Beşiktaş aim to extend Europa League surge against struggling Hoffenheim

At the Nevzat Demir training complex in Istanbul, Beşiktaş players finished a light session under a bright October sky, their focus already on Thursday’s Europa League trip to the Rhein-Neckar-Arena. Coach Vincenzo Italiano will be hoping the side’s recent domestic form translates into another continental victory against a Hoffenheim side still searching for consistency.

Recent form and European ambitions

Beşiktaş opened their Europa League campaign with a 4-1 demolition of Marseille, a result that highlighted the attacking flair of İlhan Fakılı, Michael Murillo, Ernest Poku and Vaclav Cerný. The Turkish club have now won five of their six matches in all competitions, though away form remains shaky, with three defeats in their last four trips.

Hoffenheim, led by Christian Ilzer, enjoyed a strong 2025‑26 season but missed out on Champions League qualification. Their current Bundesliga run is wobbly, recording four defeats in five matches, the latest a 3-2 loss to Hamburger SV after a second‑half lead was surrendered.

Injuries and line‑up considerations

Beşiktaş will be without Cerný, who suffered a thigh strain in a 2-1 Super Lig win over Kocaelispor; an MRI confirmed a hamstring issue that rules him out of the German away fixture. This opens a slot for Fakılı or new signing Leandro Trossard on the wing, while Serbian striker Dusan Vlahović remains the focal point of the attack.

Hoffenheim also face a fitness question with forward Patrick Wimmer returning from a hamstring problem. The German side will likely rely on Adam Hložek, Adam Daghim and Bambase Conte to support striker Tim Lemperle.

Defensively, Turkish international Ozan Kabak is expected to partner Koki Machida in central defence, with Vladimir Coufal and Mats Rots possible at full‑back. Hoffenheim will look to their own back line to restore stability after recent lapses.

Captain Orkun Kökçü, who has netted five goals in 13 appearances, and Vlahović, with six goals in eight matches, provide Italiano with two proven goal threats. Midfield anchor Salih Özcan will sit deeper, allowing Kökçü and Junior Olaitan to push forward.

The match, part of the league‑phase of the Europa League, offers Beşiktaş a chance to extend their winning run while Hoffenheim hopes to answer criticism after a disappointing start to the season.