A first in the 100-year history of the 'Big Three' clubs
Following Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray, who dropped to the Europa League after being defeated by their opponents in the Champions League qualifiers, Beşiktaş will also compete in the UEFA Europa League after eliminating Lugano in the match played this evening.
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Thus, for the first time in their history spanning over 100 years, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş, and Galatasaray will be competing in the UEFA Europa League at the same time.
This situation marks a first in the history of Turkish sports. The 'Big Three' will represent Turkish sports against their rivals by competing in the Europa League simultaneously.
WHO WILL THEIR POTENTIAL OPPONENTS BE
Among the potential opponents for Fenerbahçe, which were finalized before the play-off second-leg matches, are Roma, Manchester United, Porto, Rangers, Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham, Lazio, Real Sociedad, AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos, Lyon, Union SG, Dynamo Kyiv, Malmö, Athletic Bilbao, Hoffenheim, Nice, Twente, Qarabag, Midtjylland, Bodo/Glimt, and Slavia Prague.
Galatasaray's currently finalized potential opponents are as follows: Roma, Manchester United, Porto, Rangers, E. Frankfurt, Tottenham, Lazio, Real Sociedad, AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos, Lyon, Union SG, Dynamo Kyiv, Malmö, Athletic Bilbao, Hoffenheim, Nice, Twente, Qarabag, Midtjylland, Bodo/Glimt, and Slavia Prague.
The remaining 12 potential opponents will be determined following the UEFA Europa League play-off matches.
THE NEW FORMAT OF THE EUROPA LEAGUE
UEFA had announced that the new format to be applied in European cups would be effective as of this season. In the changed format, the number of teams in the tournaments will increase from 32 to 36. In the new format where the number of teams has increased, the group stage has been abolished, and the teams that will qualify for the Round of 16 will be determined after the league phase.