On Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6:45 p.m. Italian time, Istanbul’s Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium will be the stage for Fenerbahce-Nice, a match valid for the second day of the Europa League group stage. The Turks, fresh from their league success against Antalyaspor, are seeking European redemption in front of their home crowd, while the French come to Turkey in search of certainty after a complicated start to the season.

After their debut defeat against Dinamo Zagreb, Domenico Tedesco’s team responded with a convincing 2-0 win in Super Lig against Antalyaspor. It was a match dominated in terms of possession and chances, with 19 total shots that showed encouraging signs in terms of play. In Europe, however, the exam with Nice represents a test of maturity: the Gialloblù cannot afford a second consecutive false step.

Franck Haise’s lineup is not going through a good moment. After the elimination in the Champions League preliminaries against Benfica (0-4 overall), the Rossoneri are also struggling in Ligue 1, with just two wins in nine games and as many as six defeats. The last league round brought only a mocking draw against Paris FC, with the goal conceded on a penalty in the 88th minute. The French are also coming off three consecutive away defeats in the Europa League, a streak they want to break in Istanbul.

Probable lineups:

Fenerbahce (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Semedo, Oosterwolde, Skriniar, Brown; Yuksek, Asensio; Szymanski, Talisca, Akturkoglu; En-Nesyri. All. Tedesco.

Nice (3-4-1-2): Diouf; Mendy, Bombito, Oppong; Clauss, Samed, Vanhoutte, Abdi; Diop; Moffi, Cho. All. Haise.