First league test for Beşiktaş’s new signings
Beşiktaş, who started the season with a flawless run in UEFA Europa League qualifiers, now turns its focus to the domestic stage as they host Eyüpspor in the opening week of the 2026-2027 Trendyol Süper Lig season. The clash will be played at Tüpraş Stadium, with kick-off set for 21:30, and Oğuzhan Çakır appointed as the referee for the night.
Having made it four wins from four in Europe without conceding a single goal, the black-and-whites want to carry that momentum into the league and give their home fans a strong start by leaving Eyüpspor empty-handed. The club sees this match not only as a season opener, but also as a statement game meant to underline its long-term ambitions.
Vincenzo Italiano’s first Süper Lig appearance
Italian head coach Vincenzo Italiano is preparing for his very first match in the Süper Lig. Appointed at the start of the season, the 48-year-old has already impressed with his results on the European stage. Under his guidance, Beşiktaş have played four official matches in the Europa League qualifiers and won all four, scoring five goals and keeping four clean sheets.
Italiano, known for his proactive and possession-oriented football, wants his team to dominate from the first whistle against Eyüpspor. Beyond the three points, this opening fixture is crucial for him to cement his football philosophy in front of a demanding home crowd. A convincing victory would not only extend Beşiktaş’s winning run but also strengthen the bond between the new coach and the supporters.
New signings set for their Süper Lig debut with Beşiktaş
One of the biggest storylines of the evening revolves around the new arrivals. Kassoum Ouattara, İlhan Fakılı, Doğan Alemdar, Alexander Nübel, Salih Özcan, Leandro Trossard and Dusan Vlahovic are all waiting for the nod from Italiano to step onto the Süper Lig stage in black and white for the first time.
These seven summer signings significantly changed the structure and quality of the squad. If selected, they will experience their first league minutes in front of a packed Tüpraş Stadium, under high expectations. For the fans, this match is an opportunity to see how the new names integrate into the team dynamics and what kind of identity Beşiktaş will display this season.
A perfect start in Europe
Beşiktaş have already completed four official matches this season before facing Eyüpspor. In the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, they were paired with Danish side Midtjylland and progressed comfortably with 1-0 and 2-0 victories over two legs.
In the third qualifying round, the black-and-whites met Czech club Hradec Kralove and repeated the same controlled pattern, winning both matches 1-0. Thus, Beşiktaş earned their place in the play-off round with four wins, five goals scored and zero conceded. This record not only boosts the team’s confidence but also shows that Italiano has quickly built a disciplined defensive structure.
Now the question is whether this compact, balanced European performance can be translated into the high-intensity battles of the Süper Lig, where pressure, expectations and emotional load are often even higher.
Fifth league meeting with Eyüpspor
The encounter with Eyüpspor will be the fifth between the two sides in the Süper Lig. Beşiktaş clearly hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record so far: in the four previous league meetings, the black-and-whites have recorded three wins and one draw.
Those victories came with scorelines of 2-1, 3-1 and 2-1, while the only draw was a 2-2 result away from home. Overall, Beşiktaş have hit the net nine times against Eyüpspor in the league but conceded five goals. At Tüpraş Stadium, this will be their third home league clash with the Istanbul club, and Beşiktaş will be looking to extend their positive home record.
Apart from league history, the two teams also met in the 2023-2024 Ziraat Turkish Cup. On that occasion, Beşiktaş delivered a dominant performance and beat Eyüpspor 4-0, further underlining the difference in quality when everything clicks for the black-and-whites.
How Italiano’s Beşiktaş might line up
The arrival of Vincenzo Italiano has sparked curiosity about Beşiktaş’s tactical framework. His previous work suggests a preference for an aggressive, front-foot style built on quick ball circulation and intense pressing after loss of possession. Against Eyüpspor, fans can expect a high defensive line, full-backs pushing forward and a midfield that constantly looks to break lines with vertical passes.
Salih Özcan is likely to be a key figure in this setup. As a versatile midfielder, he can both shield the defence and initiate attacks, allowing the more creative and attacking players around him greater freedom. Leandro Trossard adds unpredictability between the lines with his ability to drift inside, combine in tight spaces and shoot from distance.
Up front, if Dusan Vlahovic starts or comes off the bench, Beşiktaş will have a classic focal point: a striker who can finish in the box, hold up play and drag defenders out of position. With such a target, crosses from the flanks and quick combinations around the penalty area could become a major weapon in breaking down Eyüpspor’s defence.
Competition in goal: Nübel and Alemdar
Another intriguing aspect for supporters is the battle for the goalkeeper position. Alexander Nübel arrives with high expectations thanks to his international experience and composure in big matches. His ability to command the box and contribute to build-up play with accurate distribution fits Italiano’s preference for constructing attacks from the back.
On the other hand, Doğan Alemdar represents the future: young, energetic and ambitious. The internal competition between the two keepers is expected to raise the overall level of the position. Whoever starts against Eyüpspor will be under pressure not just to make saves, but to maintain the clean-sheet streak that has become a point of pride in Europe.
Kassoum Ouattara and İlhan Fakılı: new energy on the flanks
Modern football increasingly relies on full-backs and wide players who can contribute in both phases of the game. Kassoum Ouattara, with his physicality, speed and willingness to overlap, promises to add a dynamic dimension on the left side. His forward runs could stretch Eyüpspor’s defence, creating more space inside for Trossard and the central attackers.
İlhan Fakılı, meanwhile, will look to make his mark whenever he is given minutes. His versatility on the flank offers Italiano options to adjust during the match, either by reinforcing the defensive structure or adding another attacking outlet. In a league as long and demanding as the Süper Lig, having such depth on the wings can be decisive over time.
Eyüpspor’s challenge and possible game plan
Eyüpspor arrive as clear underdogs on paper, but they know that early-season matches can produce surprises. Their likely approach will be compact defending in their own half, looking to close central channels and force Beşiktaş to the wings. Quick counter-attacks and set pieces could be their main sources of danger.
For Beşiktaş, the key to unlocking a probable low block will be tempo and patience. Rapid ball circulation, positional rotations and timely runs behind the defensive line will be needed to break Eyüpspor’s shape. Individual quality is clearly on the home side’s favour, but turning superiority on paper into goals on the scoreboard is exactly the kind of test a new coach and newly built squad must pass.
Psychological and seasonal significance of the opener
The first league match often sets the emotional tone for an entire campaign. Coming off a spotless European start, Beşiktaş have built a sense of optimism around the club. A win against Eyüpspor, especially with attractive football, would reinforce the belief that the team has taken the “necessary steps for lasting success” and is ready to compete at the top throughout the season.
Conversely, any points dropped would quickly raise questions in a challenging environment where expectations are always high. For that reason, this match is about more than three points: it is about validating the summer transfer strategy, confirming the choice of coach and showing that the new sporting project is already bearing fruit.
What fans will be watching closely
Supporters will look beyond the result to evaluate several key aspects:
– How quickly the new signings adapt to the pace and physicality of the Süper Lig
– Whether Italiano’s attacking principles are visible, or if the team still looks like a work in progress
– The level of defensive organisation now that the opponents are changing from European to domestic style
– The chemistry between creative players like Trossard and the central striker, potentially Vlahovic
A strong performance on all these fronts would be seen as a perfect continuation of the “couldn’t have asked for a better start” narrative that has surrounded the club’s European campaign.
In summary, Beşiktaş’s meeting with Eyüpspor is much more than a routine league opener. It is the first domestic showcase of a reshaped squad, a new coach’s philosophy and a club that believes it has laid the foundations for sustainable success. The stage is set at Tüpraş Stadium for a night that could define the mood and momentum of the entire 2026-2027 season.