One hundred percent score
Past performance is no guarantee for future performance. Very true, but sometimes it is nice to take a look at the statistics. And guess what? Ajax has a one hundred percent score against Besiktas so far. The Amsterdam team has faced the Turkish opponent six times before. All those games were won. We like to keep it that way!
The previous meetings with Besiktas date back to the 1966/1967, 1993/1994 and 2021/2022 seasons. In the 1960s, Ajax won the European Cup 1 with 2-0 and 1-2 respectively. In the early 1990s, the Amsterdam team added a 2-1 and a clear 0-4 victory. That was in the European Cup 2 tournament. In Istanbul, Jari Litmanen was the big man with a hat trick.
Younger Ajax players are more likely to think about the meetings in 2021. In the group stage of the Champions League, Ajax was too strong for Besiktas at home 2-0. Erik ten Hag’s team won 2-1 on a visit to Turkey. Sébastien Haller was accurate three times in those two matches.
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Farioli in Turkey has not yet been forgotten
A Dutch trainer is at the helm at Besiktas. Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been a coach in Istanbul since this season. He is performing well with the Turkish club. Besiktas won the battle for the super cup with convincing numbers (5-0) against rival – and also opponent of Ajax – Galatasaray SK. The team is third in the competition.
Francesco Farioli, in turn, has a past in Turkey. The trainer was in charge of both Fatih Karagümrük and Alanyaspor. According to Van Bronckhorst, they have not yet forgotten Farioli in Turkey.
He thinks the Italian can put our club back on the right track. “He proved that in Turkey because people are still talking about him and his way of playing. You then also saw that way at OGC Nice and now at Ajax,” said Van Bronckhorst in the press room of the Johan Cruijff Arena.
The Besiktas coach also discussed the match against Ajax. “I’m looking forward to it. Ajax is a historic opponent, also for Besiktas as a club. We want to give Ajax a very difficult evening and return to Turkey on Friday with a win in our pocket.”
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Watch out for threesome
It is important for Ajax to keep a close eye on three Besiktas players. Ciro Immobile, Rafa Silva and Gedson Fernandes have scored fifteen goals together this season, with the Italian striker accounting for seven. You may know Silva from Benfica, with whom he previously played against Ajax.
We also see the names of former Premier League players in the Turkish selection. Right back Jonas Svensson has a past with AZ, while attacker Milot Rashica played for Vitesse.
Ajax and Besiktas kick off on Thursday at 9 p.m. in the Johan Cruijff Arena. The match will be led by English referee John Brooks.
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