There’s an air of Champions League about the squad of VfB’s next opponents in the UEFA Europa League. The Fenerbahce team, who entertain Sebastian Hoeneß’s men on Thursday 23 October at 18:45 CEST, contains plenty of experience and big names, including former winners of Europe’s premier club competition.
Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson lifted the famous trophy with Manchester City, as did centre-back Milan Skriniar with Paris Saint-Germain and midfielder Marco Asensio, who can even call himself a four-time Champions League winner. However, proof that big names don’t necessarily equal big success can be found in Fener’s season so far.
Both on three points
The Istanbul club are currently only third in the domestic Süper Lig, below their own expectations and six points behind bitter city rivals Galatasaray at the top. The Europa League campaign hasn’t exactly gone as hoped so far either, although they did bounce back from the somewhat surprising 3-1 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb with a 2-1 win at home to OGC Nice. That means the Turkish side, like VfB, have collected three points from their opening two matches.
4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1?
There’s a familiar face in the dugout in Domenico Tedesco, who coached VfB’s U17 team from 2013 to 2015. He sets his team up in a 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 formation. Along with the aforementioned Champions League winners, the likes of Turkish international Kerem Aktürkoglu from Benfica, winger Dorgeles Nene from RB Salzburg, Portuguese international Nelson Semedo from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Mexican international Edson Álvarez on loan from West Ham United arrived during a busy summer.
Ederson could return in goal following a knock, with Semedo, Skriniar, Dutchman Jayden Oosterwolde and Englishman Archie Brown expected to form the back four. It’s quite possible that Álvarez will play as the holding midfielder to cover Asensio and erratic Brazilian Talisca as the creative forces. Kerem Aktürkoglu is first choice on the left wing, while Nene and Pole Sebastian Szymanski – who can also play in the middle – normally vie for selection on the right. Moroccan Youssef En-Nesyri generally provides the firepower up front. So, a challenging assignment is in store for VfB.