Beşiktaş vs Hradec Králové

Beşiktaş host Czech side Hradec Králové at their Tüpraş Stadyumu home in Istanbul on August 13, 2026, defending a 1-0 lead from the first leg of this UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie. Vincenzo Italiano’s 10-man Black Eagles snatched a late winner in Hradec Králové through substitute Semih Kılıçsoy, and they now stand 90 minutes from the play-off round.

First Leg: Beşiktaş’s Resilient 10-Man Win

Italiano’s side showed grit at the Malšovická aréna after summer signing Kassoum Ouattara was sent off for a second yellow card in the 71st minute. Down to ten men, Beşiktaş refused to retreat. Wilfred Ndidi, back from an ankle ligament injury, floated a pass that defender Filip Cihak failed to clear, and Kılıçsoy nodded home from close range in the 80th minute. Earlier, Emirhan Topçu had cleared Daniel Horak’s effort off the line to keep the score blank, while Orkun Kökçü twice forced saves from Adam Zadražil. Hradec managed only limited threat despite the numerical advantage.

Team News & Suspensions

Ouattara is suspended for the return leg after his dismissal, removing one of Italiano’s new defensive options. The Turkish side welcomes back Felix Uduokhai from a European ban and Ndidi is available again after his substitute cameo. Leandro Trossard remains unregistered for UEFA competition and cannot feature. Beşiktaş are expected to line up in a 4‑2‑3‑1: Alexander Nübel; Michael Murillo, Felix Uduokhai, Emirhan Topçu, Rıdvan Yılmaz; Wilfred Ndidi, Salih Özcan; Václav Černý, Orkun Kökçü, Junior Olaitan; Hyeon‑gyu Oh.

Hradec Králové have no fresh injury worries and manager David Horejš is likely to stick with the 3‑4‑3 that impressed in domestic play and against Tromsø: Adam Zadražil; Filip Cihak, Jakub Uhrinčať, František Čech; Tomáš Wiesner, Vladimír Darida, Daniel Trubač, Daniel Horák; Tom Slončík, Mick van Buren, Ondřej Mihálik.

Beşiktaş’s European Form

Italiano’s men have won three consecutive European qualifiers. They eliminated Midtjylland with a 1‑0 home win (3.04 xG, 74% possession) and a 2‑0 away success, Kökçü scoring in both legs. The first-leg victory in Czechia extended that run, underlining the side’s ability to grind out results even when the performance dips.

Hradec Králové’s Road Task

The Czech outfit reached this stage by beating Tromsø, albeit with efficiency – four goals from four shots on target across the tie. In the first leg, they were unable to breach Beşiktaş’s back line and will need to score at least twice in Istanbul to keep their European dream alive. The compact midfield of Darida and Trubač will be asked to disrupt the Turkish side’s rhythm and spring quick counters.

Key Battle: Ndidi vs Hradec’s Midfield Resilience

Ndidi’s return gives Beşiktaş a physical, ball‑winning presence that was missing in the first hour of the first leg. His pass for Kılıçsoy’s goal was a reminder of his ability to influence the game from deep. Hradec’s Darida – the former Hertha Berlin schemer – provides experience and set‑piece delivery, and if the visitors can isolate Ndidi, they may find space between the lines. How Horejš sets up his midfield trio against the Nigerian’s screening will go a long way to deciding the tie.

Beşiktaş know a clean sheet guarantees progress to the Europa League play‑off round, while Hradec Králové must produce their best performance of the campaign to overturn the deficit in front of a passionate Istanbul crowd.