Beşiktaş Football Director: 'We have nothing to fear from anyone' ahead of Midtjylland clash

Beşiktaş Football Director Önder Özen expressed confidence and a lack of fear regarding the team's upcoming UEFA Europa League second qualifying round match against Danish club Midtjylland. "We have nothing to fear from anyone," Özen stated during a live broadcast on HT Spor.

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We have nothing to fear from anyone.

Özen acknowledged that Midtjylland presents a tough challenge, describing them as a dynamic team with a high pressing ability that plays quickly. He noted that the Danish side is strong in Europe and has players they know well. "It was a difficult draw," he admitted, "but everything will be decided on the field."

Despite the difficulty, Özen emphasized Beşiktaş's preparedness. "We will analyze them. They are not a team whose analysis will be very difficult. They have left a lot of material, they have competed against rivals in Europe and their league. We know them, but knowing is not enough; we need to respond well. I hope we respond well."

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It was a difficult draw. Cards will be dealt, everything will be decided on the field.

Looking ahead, Özen highlighted the strategic importance of advancing. If Beşiktaş wins, they will secure a seeded position for the next round, potentially facing an easier draw. "If we can steal their spot and advance, we will have a seeded draw because they are seeded," he explained. "We trust our players. We trust our coach immensely. Our coach has played these kinds of qualifiers many times and has reached the final twice in the Conference League."

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We know them, but knowing is not enough; we need to respond well. I hope we respond well.

Özen underscored the necessity of progressing in European tournaments, recalling the disappointment of exiting early in the previous season. "We are aware that we left nothing for September last season. We were eliminated from the Conference League on the last evening of August or the first evening of September, and we had nothing left," he said. "We will do our best to break that cycle. The players and the coaching staff are aware. The cycle needs to be broken. We must pass these rounds. I trust all the players, the incoming players, the coaching staff, and the name of Beşiktaş."

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If we can steal their spot and advance, we will have a seeded draw because they are seeded.