Italiano on Orkun Kökçü: 'He's not at 100 percent'

Besiktas are preparing to face Kauno Zalgiris in the return leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off round. Ahead of the match, head coach Vincenzo Italiano addressed the media and touched on several topics regarding his squad. Among the main points of interest was the current physical condition of national team midfielder Orkun Kökçü.

The Italian manager revealed that Kökçü is currently not at his best physically. "Orkun is not at 100 percent right now, there's fatigue. We spoke with him, and he preferred to rest," Italiano said. He added that the decision was made jointly after discussions with the player, but noted that Kökçü could still be used depending on how the match unfolds.

Another key topic during the press conference was the club's new signings. Italiano explained that both newly arrived players are registered as U23 players, giving the team additional flexibility within squad regulations. He described Poku, who will operate on the right wing, as a fast and effective player expected to contribute significantly to the team.

Speaking about midfielder Miretti, Italiano praised his dynamic and combative style, noting that the player has extensive experience from his time in Italian football. The coach also reminded reporters that Besiktas will be competing on three fronts this season, playing two to three matches per week. According to Italiano, the new arrivals will bring valuable quality to the squad's rotation during this demanding schedule.