Striking comparison from Nihat Kahveci for Beşiktaş
Evaluating Beşiktaş's 3-0 victory over Kauno Zalgiris, Nihat Kahveci highlighted the black-and-white team's high-pressure and combative style of play. Kahveci interpreted the fact that goalkeeper Alexander Nübel was rarely seen throughout the match as a testament to Beşiktaş's superior performance.
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Beşiktaş secured a significant advantage ahead of the return leg by defeating Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris 3-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off round. Following the match at Tüpraş Stadium, former national footballer and commentator Nihat Kahveci evaluated the performance of the black-and-white team on the Kontraspor YouTube channel.
Kahveci drew attention to the pressure and fighting spirit Beşiktaş displayed, especially when the opponent was in possession. Stating that the black-and-white team appeared to be in control of the game, forcing their opponent into errors and converting the chances they created, Kahveci interpreted the fact that goalkeeper Alexander Nübel was rarely seen throughout the match as a summary of the team's performance.
Kahveci remarked, "For any team, the moment we ask 'where is the goalkeeper,' that is the summary of the match. In the 91st minute, the Beşiktaş fans were chanting 'Nübel, Nübel.' We didn't see Nübel today. I'm asking, 'Nübel, where are you?' What a beautiful sentence to describe a team's performance."
The former footballer emphasized that the Beşiktaş fans were pleased with the play on the pitch, saying, "A team that suffocates the opponent when they have the ball, presses, fights for every ball, finishes the positions it enters, and scores 3 goals on top of that... There are fans in the stands who wish the match would never end. I watched it wishing the match wouldn't end. There isn't a football fan who wouldn't enjoy watching today's Beşiktaş."
Recalling that criticism of the black-and-white team has increased in recent years, Kahveci said that the joy of the game that emerged after this victory should be savored. Touching upon Beşiktaş's wing play, Kahveci commented, "At least we are watching a winged eagle. Let's enjoy this."
Kahveci also expressed positive sentiments regarding head coach Vincenzo Italiano. Stating that Beşiktaş appeared to be a team that senses its opponent's weaknesses and plays the game correctly, Kahveci praised the Italian coach's game plan with the words, "Kudos to coach Vincenzo."
The black-and-white team will head to the return leg in Lithuania with a comfortable 3-0 lead. Both the result and the tempo on the pitch have raised expectations among fans ahead of the second leg of the tie.