Beşiktaş submit Midtjylland squad to UEFA – Trossard left out of the list
Beşiktaş have officially confirmed the squad they submitted to UEFA for their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie against Danish side FC Midtjylland – and the absence of new signing Leandro Trossard is the biggest talking point.
The black‑and‑whites announced the European list ahead of the two-legged clash, making clear which players will be available to head coach and staff. While most of the summer signings are included, Trossard’s name does not appear among the registered players for this round.
Goalkeepers
Beşiktaş will go into the Midtjylland games with three goalkeepers on the UEFA list:
– Alexander Nübel
– Doğan Alemdar
– Emre Bilgin
Nübel is expected to start as first choice, with Alemdar and academy product Bilgin providing depth and competition for the spot.
Defensive line
In defence, the club submitted a relatively crowded and versatile group, capable of covering both central and wide positions:
– Emmanuel Agbadou
– Felix Uduokhai
– Kassoum Ouattara
– Taylan Bulut
– Rıdvan Yılmaz
– Tiago Djalo
– Emirhan Topçu
– Yasin Özcan
– Amir Murillo
This mix brings together experienced professionals and young Turkish talents. Rıdvan Yılmaz returns as an important option on the left flank, while players like Uduokhai, Agbadou and Djalo strengthen the centre-back positions. Murillo offers energy and depth on the right side, and youngsters such as Yasin Özcan and Taylan Bulut give the coach flexibility for rotation over the season.
Midfield options
The heart of the team looks set to be heavily contested. The following midfielders have been registered for the Midtjylland tie:
– Orkun Kökçü
– Salih Özcan
– Wilfred Ndidi
– Amir Hadziahmetovic
– Milot Rashica
– Kartal Yılmaz
– Junior Olaitan
– Vaclav Cerny
– İlhan Fakılı
This group blends ball‑winning power, passing quality and attacking creativity. Ndidi and Hadziahmetovic can screen the defence and break up play, while Orkun Kökçü and Salih Özcan are expected to dictate tempo and build attacks from deeper zones. Rashica, Cerny, Olaitan and İlhan Fakılı bring width and dribbling ability, capable of operating between midfield and attack.
Forwards
In the attacking line, Beşiktaş will rely on a limited but clearly defined trio:
– Hyeongyu Oh
– Mustafa Hekimoğlu
– Semih Kılıçsoy
Hyeongyu Oh stands out as the main reference point in the box, with Semih Kılıçsoy offering mobility, finishing instincts and the ability to drop between the lines. Young forward Mustafa Hekimoğlu completes the list, adding another option for rotation or impact off the bench.
The big omission: Leandro Trossard
Despite being one of the headline signings of the summer, Leandro Trossard has not been included in the squad list given to UEFA for this round. His exclusion has immediately raised questions and sparked debate among supporters, who expected the Belgian to be a key offensive weapon in European competition.
The club has not provided a detailed public explanation alongside the list, leaving room for speculation. Among the possible reasons typically seen in such cases are:
– Fitness and match-readiness: new signings sometimes miss early qualifying rounds if they have just arrived, are on a tailored pre‑season programme, or are not yet at the physical level required for competitive matches.
– Registration and timing: paperwork, contractual details or UEFA registration deadlines can occasionally delay inclusion, especially if a transfer is completed close to the cut‑off.
– Tactical and planning choices: coaching staff may prefer to build the core of the team around players who have already trained together for longer, choosing to integrate high‑profile signings gradually.
Without an official explanation, supporters are left wondering whether the decision is related to fitness, administrative timing, or a deliberate choice to save Trossard for later stages and domestic fixtures.
How the squad shapes Beşiktaş’s tactical plan
Looking at the submitted list, certain tactical patterns become clear. The large number of defenders, including several who can play both centrally and wide, suggests flexibility between back‑four and possible back‑three or back‑five structures. Djalo, Uduokhai and Agbadou provide physical and aerial presence, while Rıdvan and Murillo can push high on the flanks.
In midfield, Ndidi and Hadziahmetovic are natural ball-winners, which allows Orkun Kökçü and Salih Özcan to operate with more freedom to organize possession. With Rashica, Cerny and Olaitan in the wide and half‑space zones, Beşiktaş can attack both through structured build‑up and quick transitions.
The main concern lies in the forward department. Listing only three strikers, two of whom are relatively young, narrows the options in case of injuries, form dips or tactical changes during the tie. The absence of Trossard further reduces the number of proven scorers and creative attackers in the final third.
Fan reaction: concern, criticism and expectations
The announcement of the UEFA list has triggered intense reactions among supporters. Many are frustrated by what they see as a lack of firepower up front and criticize the decision to go into a crucial European qualifier with such a short attacking line. Some doubt whether Hyeongyu Oh, Semih Kılıçsoy and Mustafa Hekimoğlu alone can carry the scoring responsibility in high‑pressure knockout ties.
A section of the fan base also questions the level of some squad players, arguing that the team still lacks the elite quality needed to push deep into European competition. Names like Rashica, Uduokhai or Hadziahmetovic are debated heavily: for some, they add necessary depth; for others, they are seen as insufficient to raise the overall standard.
On the other hand, there are also voices pointing out that several footballers on this list – Nübel, Salih Özcan, İlhan Fakılı, Ouattara and others – have only just joined or are adapting to a new coach and system. They stress that judging the entire project after a single squad announcement is premature and unfair.
Pressure on management and coaching staff
The omission of a star signing like Trossard from the UEFA list inevitably increases the pressure on both the club’s management and the technical staff. Supporters are demanding clear communication about transfer strategies, registration priorities and the short‑term goals for Europe.
Some fans argue that the club hierarchy must show more ambition in building a front line fitting Beşiktaş’s stature, while others insist that recent arrivals deserve time to settle before being written off. The coaching staff, meanwhile, will be expected to extract maximum value from the current group and demonstrate that the decisions around selection and non‑selection are part of a bigger plan rather than short‑term improvisation.
Key players to watch against Midtjylland
Within the existing list, several names stand out as potential difference‑makers in the Midtjylland tie:
– Alexander Nübel: his shot‑stopping and ability to play with his feet will be crucial in controlling pressure and initiating attacks.
– Wilfred Ndidi: if he can dominate midfield defensively, Beşiktaş will have a solid platform to build on.
– Orkun Kökçü: expected to be the creative engine in the middle, linking defence and attack.
– Milot Rashica & Vaclav Cerny: their speed and directness on the wings could open space for Oh and Kılıçsoy.
– Hyeongyu Oh & Semih Kılıçsoy: their finishing and movement will largely determine whether the team can compensate for Trossard’s absence.
If these core players perform at a high level, Beşiktaş can still approach the tie with confidence despite the doubts surrounding the squad construction.
What Trossard’s absence means for the season
In the bigger picture, Trossard being left out of this UEFA round does not necessarily mean he will be marginalized over the season. It may simply indicate that the staff prefer to introduce him gradually, giving him the chance to reach full fitness, adapt to teammates and be fully ready for the league campaign and, potentially, later European rounds if the team advances.
However, the situation also underlines how crucial squad planning and timing are in modern football. When a major signing cannot be registered for early decisive matches, questions naturally arise about coordination between transfer activity, pre‑season preparation and UEFA deadlines.
For Trossard himself, the coming weeks will be important. Strong performances in training and in domestic fixtures could quickly shift the narrative from “why was he left out?” to “how did the team ever manage without him?”
Outlook ahead of the tie
Ultimately, the list submitted to UEFA shows a Beşiktaş side that is still under construction: a mix of established names, promising youngsters and several recent arrivals getting used to a new environment and coach. The squad has a solid backbone in defence and midfield, but the margin for error in attack appears slim.
The absence of Leandro Trossard amplifies both concern and curiosity. If Beşiktaş manage to overcome Midtjylland with this group, the decision may later be interpreted as a calculated risk taken early in the project. If they struggle, the squad selection – and particularly leaving out one of the club’s most high‑profile attacking signings – will continue to be at the centre of debate all season long.