FC Midtjylland avoids Besiktas star signing in Europa League qualifier

FC Midtjylland will face Besiktas in their Europa League qualifier without the Turkish club's new star signing, Leandro Trossard. The Belgian midfielder, who recently moved from Arsenal, is not included in Besiktas's squad for the matches, according to UEFA's website.

Trossard, 31, joined Besiktas this summer after three seasons with Arsenal. He is returning from the World Cup, where Belgium was eliminated in the quarterfinals.

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I remember it as very, very loud - perhaps also with a slightly hostile atmosphere.

FC Midtjylland captain Rasmus Nissen Kristensen is anticipating a challenging atmosphere in Turkey for the first leg. He recalled a previous experience playing against Besiktas with Eintracht Frankfurt, describing the environment as "very, very loud - perhaps also with a slightly hostile atmosphere." He added, "It will be fun and a challenge. We look forward to playing in that setting. Last time I was there, it went well. Hopefully, it will again."

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It will be fun and a challenge. We look forward to playing in that setting. Last time I was there, it went well. Hopefully, it will again.

Kristensen emphasized the importance of withstanding the "massive pressure" from the stands. "We must be brave and play our game - that will be incredibly decisive," he stated.

Should FC Midtjylland overcome Besiktas, they will advance to face either Norway's Tromsø or Czech Republic's FC Hradec Kralove in the third qualifying round. A loss to Besiktas would see the Danish club drop into the Conference League qualifiers, where they would play either Bohemian FC from Ireland or FC Ballkani from Kosovo.

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We must be brave and play our game - that will be incredibly decisive.