Previous meetings: A first for VfB
Not only will this be the maiden competitive fixture between VfB and Fenerbahce, but it is also the first time that the boys from Cannstatt will play against a Turkish club in European competition.
Fenerbahce have recorded just one victory from their 13 competitive continental assignments against German clubs: a 4-2 success over Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League season. They have otherwise lost eight and drawn four.
Looking back: Mixed results all round
Both teams have three points on the board going into their Matchday 3 tussle. Fenerbahce opened with a 3-1 defeat in Zagreb before bouncing back to beat Nice 2-1 at home. VfB, meanwhile, won their first home game 2-1 against Celta de Vigo but then lost 2-0 in Basel.
Reunion: Former VfB youth coach now at Fenerbahce
Domenico Tedesco took over the reins at Fenerbahce in September as the successor to Jose Mourinho, who failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Tedesco, now 40, worked in VfB’s youth academy between 2008 and 2015.
Squad change: Nartey replaces Demirovic
VfB have now included Nikolas Nartey in place of Ermedin Demirovic in their Europa League squad list. Should the 25-year-old Dane take to the pitch, it would be his first senior outing in European competition, having previously made five appearances for FC Copenhagen’s U19s in the UEFA Youth League.
Team news: One absentee
Demirovic misses out through injury.
Spectators: Over 2,000 fans in Istanbul
Approximately 2,300 fans have accompanied VfB to the Turkish capital, with the club completely selling out its ticket allocation.