Italiano tells Beşiktaş squad: Everyone must be ready
Beşiktaş head coach Vincenzo Italiano has warned his players to prepare for a demanding run of fixtures, stressing that the team will need contributions from the entire squad. With five important matches scheduled across 15 days in October, the coach wants both starters and substitutes ready to step in.
The Black Eagles will begin the stretch at home against Kocaelispor. They will then travel to face Hoffenheim and Trabzonspor before returning to their own stadium for matches against Crystal Palace and Başakşehir.
Seventeen Beşiktaş players have joined their national teams during the international break. The main setback for the club is Milot Rashica’s injury, which is expected to keep him out for around a month. However, there has been more encouraging news regarding several other attacking players who were carrying injuries before the break.
Orkun Kökçü had been dealing with a toe problem, Leandro Trossard with an issue in his heel, and Dusan Vlahovic with a muscle injury. Kökçü has since returned to Beşiktaş after the match against Italy in Bursa and is reported to have made a full recovery. Vlahovic has completed his treatment, while Trossard is also said to have overcome his heel trouble.
Emirhan Topçu, who left training early before the Italy match, has also recovered and is considered ready. The four players are reported to be available for the upcoming game against Kocaelispor, giving Italiano more options as the schedule intensifies.
At a meeting with the squad, the coach underlined that Beşiktaş cannot rely on a small group of regular starters during such a crowded period. His message was clear: every player should be prepared to take responsibility, regardless of whether they usually begin matches on the pitch or among the substitutes.
That approach may prove important as the team moves between domestic and European fixtures. With little time between games, rotation can help manage fatigue and reduce the risk of further injuries. It also gives players outside the usual starting lineup an opportunity to influence results when called upon.
Beşiktaş will need to balance immediate preparation for Kocaelispor with the demands of the matches that follow. The first fixture offers a chance to start the month strongly, but the short gap before the away trips to Hoffenheim and Trabzonspor makes squad depth particularly significant.
For the coaching staff, the return of Kökçü, Trossard, Vlahovic and Topçu provides welcome flexibility. Their availability does not remove the challenge posed by Rashica’s absence, but it gives Italiano additional choices as he considers lineups and substitutions for the coming games.
The October run will test more than the team’s fitness. Maintaining concentration, adapting to different opponents and making effective use of the full squad will all be crucial. Italiano’s call for everyone to be ready reflects the reality of the schedule: Beşiktaş may need every available player before the five-match stretch is over.