Cyprus’s sole representatives in Europe this season AEL have one final chance to salvage something from their Europa League but will need to pull off a famous victory over Fenerbahce in Turkey on Thursday night.
New coach Jorge Costa was just two days into his new job when he saw AEL succumb to Egemen Korkmaz’s second half header in Nicosia when the two sides met two weeks ago and he will now need to conjure up something special if he is to save the Limassol club’s season in Europe.
AEL are currently bottom of Group C with just one point from a possible nine while
Fenerbahce’s 1-0 win at AEL last time out means that they will all but book their place in the next round with a second victory over the Limassol club at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
AEL appeared to bounce back from that deflating defeat to Fenerbahce in Nicosia by beating Ayia Napa 4-0 a few days later in the league but were held to a 1-1 draw by Ethnikos Achnas last weekend.
“This is a big opportunity for AEL”, said the Portuguese coach. “These are the types of games in which players can gain some valuable experience. We do have some chances of recording our first win but we need to treat this game differently to the one in Nicosia. We played well in that game but we didn’t manage to pick up any points. I hope we can also play well here. It is vital that we at least pick up a point.”
Costa’s task has not been made easier by the notable absences in his squad. Maykon and Gilberto will miss out through injury while Dosa Junior is serving a yellow card suspension.
“We do have some key players missing but we are obliged to fill in the gaps. Those who step into their place will give 100% on the pitch.”
Cyprus’ track record in Turkey doesn’t look good as AEL aim to secure a famous victory in Istanbul. The five previous games between Turkish and Cypriot clubs in UEFA competition read three Turkish wins, one draw and one Cypriot win. All the Turkish victories were with one goal margins.
Anorthosis currently hold the record of being the only Cypriot football club to have beaten and subsequently eliminated Turkish opposition – when they defeated Trabzonspor back in 2005 – while APOEL were held to a 1-1 draw in Nicosia by the same opponents a year later.
AEL have so far only managed to score once in their three Europa League games – Edwin Ouon’s strike against Marseille which was eventually toppled by five at the other end by Marseille in matchday two.
The game will be shown live on CyBC 2 at 8pm.
Cyprus Weekly
