On Wednesday evening, Beşiktaş welcomed their Swedish opponents from Malmö on the day of the quarter-final match. In a game that was only entertaining in the second half, the home team was able to narrowly prevail against the visitors with two goals from Ernest Muçi and Semih Kılıçsoy, whose goal was too late in stoppage time.
Compared to the 1:3 win against Kasımpaşa Recently in the Süper Lig, BJK coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst started his team with three personnel changes in the starting eleven. In place of Emirhan Topçu, Onur Bulut and Ciro Immobile, Gabriel Paulista, Jonas Svensson and João Mário were in the starting line.
Beşiktaş with a weak first half
The game offered manageable entertainment value in the first half. Although the “Black Eagles” always let the ball pass, they rarely played in front of the opponent’s goal and when they were in a promising position, they played an inaccurate pass or finished quickly, and that’s why they hardly posed a threat at the back.
In terms of determination going forward, Malmö were clearly the better team. They allowed the opponent to come and switch again and again, putting the hosts’ defense under pressure. At one point or another, Mert Günok had to show his attention at the last minute in the Beşiktaş box to ensure his team did not fall behind. With neither team able to push for a goal the score went into the half-time break 0-0.
Both teams turn up the pressure
In the second half, both teams increased the pressure but Beşiktaş in particular played much more directly now. So they shot more at goal and created a few chances, but continued to have problems against Sweden’s transition game and goalkeeper Mert Günok had several opportunities to excel.
However, after the general intensity of the game increased, it was clear that the hosts wanted to keep the three points here today, which is why they now played more varied offensively. Rafa Silva moved more to the wing, Semih Kılıçsoy dropped forward several times and Ernest Muçi changed sides on the wing, which eventually led to success.
Ernest Muçi with the redemption 1-0 for BJK
In the 76th minute of the game, the right back Jonas Svensson, after a short mix-up on the right, made his way to the baseline, where he brought the ball flat only to cut into the middle in front of the goal, where Ernest was. Muçi was completely free at the far post and there was no challenge to make it 1-0 the 16-time Turkish champions.
Semih Kılıçsoy’s individual action brings the decision
After taking the lead, they kept up the pressure and went for the second goal. Malmö’s defense was clearly having problems with the constant pressure and was no longer able to get into duels as well. In the 85th minute of the game, the hosts’ efforts paid off when Semih Kılıçsoy was unable to half-heartedly dribble to the edge of the penalty area, where he fired the ball into the visitors’ goal from the half-right position. , not hard but well placed, near the far post he caught Ricardo Friedrich off guard in the Swedish box.
Malmö with the goal in stoppage time
After the 2-0 the game seemed practically decided. However, the visitors did not let up and although Mert Günok was able to make a great save in the BJK box initially, Malmö managed to score again after 93 minutes through substitute Søren Rieks. However, this came too late, which is why the game finally ended with a narrow but deserved home victory for the “Black Eagles”. The next sporting challenge awaits Beşiktaş in the Süper Lig when they face city rivals Başakşehir away from home on Sunday.
Photo: X / Beşiktaş JK
Interview with Sports Analyst Dr. Emilia Karan, Following Beşiktaş vs. Malmö Match
Editor at Time.news: Good evening, Dr. Karan! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the quarter-final match between Beşiktaş and Malmö. What were your initial impressions of the game?
Dr. Emilia Karan: Good evening, and thank you for having me! It was an intriguing match, to say the least. The first half was rather lackluster, with Beşiktaş struggling to find their rhythm. They seemed tentative, allowing Malmö to dictate the pace. The 0-0 score at halftime was reflective of the game’s first half dynamics.
Editor: We certainly saw a significant shift in both teams’ performance during the second half. What do you think catalyzed this change?
Dr. Karan: Absolutely! After the break, it was clear that both teams were more aggressive in their approach. Beşiktaş increased their offensive pressure, and you could see a more varied attacking strategy with players like Rafa Silva and Ernest Muçi becoming more involved. This shift not only created scoring opportunities but also showcased the team’s determination to secure a win.
Editor: Speaking of Ernest Muçi, he played a crucial role in the match. What did you make of his performance?
Dr. Karan: Muçi was fantastic! His ability to adapt and switch positions, coupled with his scoring instinct, made the difference for Beşiktaş. The goal he scored encountered a serious build-up from the team, which demonstrates not just individual brilliance but the collaboration and tactical adjustments made in the second half. It was a well-deserved moment of redemption for him.
Editor: Looking at the starting line-up changes by coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, do you think these decisions positively impacted the game?
Dr. Karan: Definitely. The three changes brought fresh energy to the squad. Players like Gabriel Paulista and João Mário injected dynamism into the midfield and defense, which was critical given Malmö’s earlier dominance. However, while the tactical shifts worked well, I believe it highlighted the need for Beşiktaş to find their consistent form sooner rather than later.
Editor: In terms of defensive play, how would you assess Beşiktaş’s performance throughout the match?
Dr. Karan: At times, their defense seemed vulnerable, especially in the first half. Malmö capitalized on this, pressing well and making it difficult for Beşiktaş to maintain possession. Mert Günok, the goalkeeper, was put under pressure repeatedly, and thankfully, he stepped up to prevent what could have been a disadvantageous scoreline. However, their defense tightened up in the second half, enabling them to absorb pressure better and transition into attack more effectively.
Editor: With this match behind us, what can Beşiktaş take away from this game for their future matches in the tournament?
Dr. Karan: Beşiktaş must learn to maintain consistency, particularly in the first half of games. They demonstrated that they can respond under pressure, but they cannot always rely on coming back in the second half. Developing a more cohesive strategy and execution, especially in the opening stages, will be crucial as they advance in the tournament.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Karan! It seems like Beşiktaş has both challenges and opportunities ahead. We appreciate you sharing your expertise with us today.
Dr. Karan: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to seeing how Beşiktaş evolves in the upcoming matches.