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Former Manchester United supervisor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer loved an ideal begin to life within the Besiktas dugout, as he led the facet to a 4-1 Europa League victory over Athletic Bilbao.
Solskjaer, who was sacked by United in 2021, lastly made his return to soccer administration as he was named Besiktas boss final Friday.
The Norwegian’s first project was making ready his gamers for Bilbao’s go to – a recreation they wanted to win to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the knockout phases of the Europa League alive.
Earlier than Wednesday, Besiktas had received solely two of their opening six fixtures within the competitors. They misplaced the opposite 4.
Nevertheless, there have been no issues for the Turkish facet as they clinched all three factors towards Bilbao, courtesy of a brace from Milot Rashica and strikes from Rafa Silva and Joao Mario.
Rashica put the hosts within the lead simply 17 minutes in as he fired an effort into the highest nook from outdoors the world.
Bilbao restored parity moments earlier than the break as Unai Gomes volleyed into the nook from shut vary. The shot was Bilbao’s first one on track all half and was topic to a prolonged VAR verify earlier than it was given the inexperienced mild.
No matter Solskjaer informed his gamers within the dressing room labored, as they got here out weapons blazing for the second interval. Rashica accomplished his double after Silva rounded the Bilbao goalkeeper and unselfishly teed it up for him to faucet into the again of an empty internet.
Silva would go on to get on the rating sheet within the 77th minute after Mert Günok saved his preliminary try.
Portuguese midfielder Mario scored a fourth in stoppage time after calmly changing from the penalty spot, to make sure the victory was assured.
Besiktas have now moved to 18th place within the league part standings forward of the rest of the Matchday 7 fixtures and their go to to Dutch outfit Twente subsequent week.
The win is much more spectacular, contemplating Bilbao had been on an unbeaten run within the Europa League.
The subsequent project for Solskjaer and his gamers is towards Antalyaspor, who’re presently in 14th place within the Tremendous Lig.
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