Besiktas suffered their first defeat in this season’s Europa League on Thursday night, losing 3-2 at Celtic Park. Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi watched the opening stages from the bench. Celtic, meanwhile, claimed their first win of the campaign after a late fightback.
Vincenzo Italiano made three changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Kasimpasa in the league on Sunday. Ndidi, Ridvan Yilmaz and Dusan Vlahovic all dropped to the bench. As a result, Ouattara, Poku and Oh Hyeon-gyu came in, with Oh facing his former club.
It’s a notable call. Ndidi had scored in the previous Europa League outing against Crystal Palace, and he had been expected to anchor the midfield again.
However, Italiano went with Salih Ozcan and Junior Olaitan in the middle instead. Orkun Kokcu, back from injury, also started on the bench.
The first half ended goalless, and chances were few. Besiktas had most of the ball but couldn’t turn it into much. Leandro Trossard’s shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Sam Johnstone, which was as close as they came.
Then the game turned on a penalty. Jordan Lotomba fouled Ernest Poku, and Olaitan stepped up. Johnstone saved the kick, but Olaitan followed up and scored from the rebound in the 54th minute.
Martin O’Neill’s changes made the difference. Callum Osmand came on and equalised in the 62nd minute with his first touch. Soon after, he turned provider, and Camilo Duran rounded the goalkeeper to make it 2-1 in the 78th minute.
Besiktas weren’t done. Kokcu, who had come off the bench, fired in a long-range effort in the 85th minute to level the score. Even so, the joy lasted only two minutes. Duran struck again in the 87th to win it, and Celtic Park erupted.
The main story is Ndidi’s role. He played 89 minutes in the win at Hoffenheim, then the full 90 against Palace, where he scored his first European goal for Besiktas. Now he’s back to a place on the bench.
Besiktas stay on seven points after four games, and they host Hapoel Beer-Sheva on 26 November. Celtic, for their part, finally have points on the board and move out of the bottom four.
