FCM Faces Tough Draw Against Besiktas in Europa League Qualification

Danish football club FC Midtjylland has been handed a difficult draw in the second round of Europa League qualification, facing Turkish powerhouse Besiktas. The draw, conducted in Nyon, placed the Danish vice-champions as the last team in their group, setting up a tough encounter against one of the most formidable potential opponents.

Besiktas represents a significant challenge for FCM, who could have potentially faced easier opponents like FC Twente, Tromsø, or Hammarby. The first leg of the tie is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on July 23, followed by the return match in Herning exactly one week later. Success in this two-legged affair is crucial for FCM's aspirations of reaching the Europa League group stage.

Should FC Midtjylland manage to overcome Besiktas on aggregate, they will still need to progress through a third qualifying round and a subsequent playoff round to guarantee their place in the Europa League group stage. The club has a history in European competitions, having first participated in the Europa League group stage in the 2015/16 season, where they reached the Round of 32 before being eliminated by Manchester United. Since then, FCM has made four more appearances in the group stage over the last five years.

In the 2020/21 season, FC Midtjylland achieved their sole appearance in the Champions League group stage to date. This latest Europa League draw presents another significant hurdle in their quest for European success.