Besiktas too strong for Vienna
Besiktas came from behind to record a second successive win in Europa League Group L with a 2-1 victory over Rapid Vienna.
Veli Kavlak gave Rapid Vienna the lead but Filip Holosko – a first-half substitute for the injured Ricardo Quaresma – quickly equalised.
And Bobo grabbed the winner as the Istanbul outfit – who won their first game against CSKA Sofia courtesy of a last-minute goal – were victorious once more.
Besiktas started the brighter and Fabian Ernst shot over before Quaresma hit the upright with a curling effort from the left of the penalty area.
Stefan Hoffman skied Rapid’s first effort over the bar and Christopher Trimmel followed suit before Quaresma’s evening was ended early by injury, Holosko taking his place in the 32nd minute.
The newcomer’s corner saw Matteo Ferrari draw a sharp save from Raimund Hedl, who then held Rodrigo Tabata’s 25-yard effort.
Rapid picked up the pace at the start of the second period, with Atdhe Nuhiu firing wide before Kavlak broke the deadlock.
Yasin Pehlivan’s cross was thumped home by his midfield colleague to give the hosts the advantage in the 51st minute – and Nuhiu almost added a second when his effort was punched clear by goalkeeper Hakan Arikan.
But, as it transpired, the lead would last just four minutes as Holosko found the net with a low left-footed finish from the left side of the box – and he hit the bar moments later as the resurgent Turkish outfit pressed forward.
Nuhiu headed over at the other end, but Besiktas soon had the lead as Rodrigo Tabata played in Bobo, who finished coolly in the 64th minute.
Rapid introduced veteran striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in their search for an equaliser and Hoffman’s free-kick was headed over by Hamdi Salihi before Arikan saved from the Dutchman’s header.
But Rapid were unable to get back on terms as Besiktas joined Porto with a perfect six-point record ahead of the two teams’ upcoming double-header.
ITV
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