Marino Pusic will lead "Besiktas" into a high-stakes UEFA Europa League second qualifying round clash against "Shakhtar Donetsk" on July 24, 2025. The Turkish giants are set to host the Ukrainian visitors at Istanbul's Vodafone Arena, with kickoff scheduled for 21:00 Astana time.
"This matchup deserves to be in the later stages of European competition, not the qualifying rounds. Both teams have rich European traditions," – noted football analysts following the draw announcement.
"Besiktas" and "Shakhtar Donetsk" find themselves in this early qualification stage for different reasons. The Ukrainian side's placement stems from external geopolitical circumstances, while the Turkish club's presence reflects their recent disappointing performances in domestic competitions. Both teams enter this fixture hungry to prove themselves on the European stage.
For football fans, this early-season clash offers exceptional quality rarely seen at this qualification phase. The Istanbul venue should provide an electric atmosphere. No small matter.
Where can you catch this compelling matchup? Broadcasting rights vary by region, with QazSport holding exclusive rights in Kazakhstan. Subscribers to Megogo's "Sport" and "Maximum" packages will also have access to the live stream with additional viewing features.
Interestingly, Russian viewers can watch on Okko, which offers advanced user controls including rewind and delayed viewing options. Indonesian fans haven't been forgotten either – beIN Sports will deliver the broadcast through multiple partner channels including Vidio, MAXStream, IndiHome TV, and MNC Vision.
Will the Turkish home advantage prove decisive, or can the Ukrainian visitors secure a crucial away result? This early European clash certainly delivers more quality than your typical second-round qualifier.
