Winning Without Important Names Matters

Beşiktaş beat visiting İstanbul Başakşehir 2-0 in Week 9 of the Trendyol Süper Lig. Speaking after the match, head coach Vincenzo Italiano said the team had performed well.

Italiano pointed to Leandro Trossard's impact in one-on-one situations in the absence of Orkun Kökçü. The coach said he was sorry that several important players were unavailable, but still found it positive that the squad could win without its key names. Stressing the need for patience in the second half, Italiano noted that the team's danger increased when they switched to two strikers.

After six matches without conceding a goal, the coach argued that concentration and attention to detail were decisive. He said the team needed to win every match to stay near the top of the league, adding that the squad was physically in good shape and that the players who came on also contributed.

Italiano gave no firm return date for captain Orkun Kökçü, who is out with an injury. He said the captain was improving every day and he hoped Kökçü would return to the squad as soon as possible. He also said Cerny had taken a knock but that it was not a serious problem.

Italiano said the staff were working to help Wilfred Ndidi contribute more in attack, noting that the player had made an important contribution through his runs into the penalty area, his headers and his influence in the final 20 metres.