The UEFA Europa League returns to Istanbul as Beşiktaş welcome Olympique de Marseille to Tüpraş Stadyumu for Round 1 of the 26/27 season. It is a fresh start in Europe for both clubs, and an early chance to lay down a marker. The match is set at one of Türkiye’s most atmospheric venues, and the home side arrive on a positive run. You can follow every update, lineup change and live momentum on the Sofascore match page. For broader context, group paths and stats across the competition are on the UEFA Europa League hub.

Form guide: Beşiktaş trending up, Marseille seeking a reset

Beşiktaş come into this tie on a run of three straight wins, which is a handy platform for a European opener. Momentum at home can be powerful, and the Istanbul crowd usually helps push the tempo. With a new continental campaign starting, that streak hints at confidence in key phases of play. It also suggests a side comfortable in tight moments, something knockout-leaning nights often demand. Early control of territory and second balls could again be a Beşiktaş strength.

Marseille approach this match looking to tidy up recent results after three straight losses. They have also gone three games without a clean sheet, which raises questions about defensive balance. On the flip side, their games have produced goals, with more than 2.5 scored in eight of their last ten. That trend points to an open contest if the visitors commit numbers forward. Another small note from recent patterns shows fewer corners, with less than 10.5 in five of the last six, which can hint at more central chance creation than wing overloads.

Head-to-head notes and the coaches on the touchline

The historical ledger between these two is tight. Beşiktaş and Marseille have split their past European meetings 1-1 in wins, with no draws. In the 2007 UEFA Champions League group stage, Marseille won 2-0 at home, while Beşiktaş responded 2-1 in Istanbul. That context fits the fixture’s feel today, where margins are usually slim and home advantage matters. There is no lengthy recent sample, but what exists says both teams can land a result when the details fall their way.

On the benches, Bruno Genesio holds a slight head start over Vincenzo Italiano in their manager duel, with one win to none. The matchup adds a tactical sub-plot, as both managers tend to value structure and compactness between the lines. Small choices in pressing height and full-back positioning could decide territory. Set-piece organization may also be decisive given the stakes this early in Europe. With each coach eager to stamp control, the opening 15 minutes should tell us a lot about the flow.

Probable lineups and tactical shapes

Lineups are not confirmed yet, but the current listing points to a 4-1-4-1 for Beşiktaş and a 4-2-3-1 for Marseille. For Beşiktaş, Alexander Nübel is listed in goal, with a back line featuring Amir Murillo, Emmanuel Agbadou, Emirhan Topçu and Kassoum Ouattara. Salih Özcan is slated to sit in front of the defense, while Václav Černý, Junior Olaitan, Orkun Kökçü and Leandro Trossard support the front. Up top, Dušan Vlahović leads the line. That shape gives the hosts width and a strong central pivot to protect transitions.

Marseille’s projected setup includes Jeffrey De Lange in goal and a back four with Timothy Weah, Conrad Jaden Egan-Riley, Nayef Aguerd and Emerson. The double pivot lists Pierre-Emile Højbjerg with Himad Abdelli, while an advanced trio of Angel Gomes, Amine Harit and Igor Paixão sits behind Amine Gouiri. The visitors may try to overload half-spaces through Harit and Gomes, using Paixão’s movement to unbalance the back line. Notable absentees are recorded for both teams and should be noted without overplaying their impact. Beşiktaş defender Rıdvan Yılmaz is out with a Thigh Injury, while Marseille midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi misses out due to a Knee Injury.