Conference League: Turkish quartet for Başakşehir against La Fiorita

After the convincing win at the "Fatih Terim" in Istanbul a week ago, Başakşehir also prevail at the Stadium – the first ever visit of a Turkish club to the Titan – in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round against La Fiorita. Çağdaş Atan’s side ran out 4-0 winners last night over Thomas Manfredini’s team, in what was his final game in charge of the Montegiardino club (he will be replaced, as has long been known, by former Tre Penne coach Stefano Ceci). A few changes for the Gialloblu after the 6-1 first-leg defeat, with European debuts for San Marino players Matteo Zavoli and Filippo Santi. Başakşehir take control from the outset and after only three minutes Ba’s header already forces Zavoli into action. Despite the visitors’ pressure, La Fiorita manage to show themselves in Deniz Dilmen’s area when a fine low cross from Casolla looks for Toccaceli at the far post: he stretches in estirada but is just a fraction late. The Stadium applauds but on the very next move (12') Başakşehir strike: Piątek exchanges neatly in tight spaces with Berkay Özcan who pulls the ball back from the byline for the former Milan and Genoa striker, who, after scoring in the first leg, finds the net again on the Titan. The Turks keep pressing but La Fiorita are in the game, as shown by a fine vertical ball from Toccaceli for Casolla who, from a good position, hits the side netting; the Italian forward, already on the scoresheet at the Stadium last year, is flagged for offside as the pass is played. Çağdaş Atan’s team, virtually certain of qualification after the first leg, do not play at a particularly high tempo, but when they step it up they are dangerous. As happens shortly after the half-hour mark, when a prolonged attacking move ends with Davidson’s shot being blocked by the Gialloblu wall, only for the ball to fall to Ömer Ali Şahiner, who makes no mistake for 2-0. The goal seems, curiously, to fire up the Turks, who go very close to a third through Piątek, but Zavoli is crucial in turning the effort behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece the ball is delivered into the box for a knockdown by the Polish striker to team-mate Hamza Güreler, who finishes from close range. The match drifts towards the 45th minute and the referee – Sweden’s Maqedonci – adds no stoppage time. After the interval Başakşehir come out looking even sharper, despite the 3-0 scoreline and qualification already in the bag. After just a minute, a free-kick from the edge of the box by Pelkas flies just past the top corner, then on 49 minutes Türüç wastes a great chance from the edge, shooting wide from an excellent position. Ten minutes later Piątek again goes in search of his brace, but Zavoli shuts the door. The Gialloblu defence clear and the move turns into an attacking transition with fine work from Affonso down the left to carry his team forward. Manfredini’s men stay on the front foot and it is Greco, on target in Turkey, who strikes well from distance, but the visitors turn it behind for a corner to applause from the Stadium, willing the Gialloblu on. Both coaches introduce fresh legs – on a very sultry evening – and after Manfredini replaces Toccaceli with Zafferani (73'), a good opportunity arrives for the Montegiardino club. A long throw-in reaches Jacopo Semprini in the box; he cushions the ball well on his chest and turns towards goal but, at the crucial moment, cannot generate enough power on the shot. Başakşehir manage the game without particular problems, but La Fiorita do not give up and chase a consolation goal. Shortly before the ninetieth minute, an excellent lay-off from Jacopo Semprini finds Ramiro Lago – on since the 79th minute – but the playmaker opts for a shot, which is weak, instead of slipping in the onrushing Zafferani or Portaccio. In stoppage time the Turks round off the scoreline and manage to net again in the second half: Zavoli produces a stunning save to keep out Kèny’s header, but the San Marino keeper can do nothing from Piątek’s follow-up, the Pole scoring against the Gialloblu for the second time on the night to make it 4-0. Three further minutes are enough for the referee to call time, and it is therefore the Turkish side who move on to the next round. La Fiorita, however, will retain fond memories from this summer of 2024 thanks to their thrilling progression – a historic first for the Gialloblu – against Isloch Minsk.  

---

UEFA Europa Conference League, Second Qualifying Round – Second Leg | La Fiorita - Istanbul Başakşehir – 0-4 LA FIORITA Zavoli; Di Modugno (from 62' Guerri), Santi, M. Mazzotti; Affonso (from 62' Semeraro), Cicarelli, J. Semprini, Toccaceli (from 73' Zafferani), Greco; Casolla (from 79' Portaccio), Olcese (from 79' Lago) Substitutes: Guddo, Vivan, N. Mazzotti Head coach: Thomas Manfredini   ISTANBUL BAŞAKŞEHIR Dilmen; Şahiner (from 73' Kèny), Ba, Güreler, Leo Duarte; Özcan, Ergün (from 83' Aleksić), Pelkas (from 65' Figueiredo); Davidson (from 65' Serdar Gürler), Piątek, Türüç (from 83' Lima) Substitutes: Babacan, Şengezer, Kaplan Head coach: Çağdaş Atan   Scorers: 13' and 90+1' Piątek, 31' Şahiner, 35' Hamza Güreler Referee: Granit Maqedonci (SWE) Assistant referees: Robin Wilde (SWE), Simon Kristensson (SWE) Fourth official: Victor Wolf (SWE) Booked: Cicarelli, Ba Attendance: 265  

---