Bursaspor to face Chikhura in Georgia

SACHKHERE, Georgia

DHA Photo

Bursaspor will need a victory or at least a draw against Chikhura Sachkhere to advance to the third qualifying round of the Europa League tonight, a week after a goalless draw in Bursa.

Bursaspor will be without its forward Fernandao, who picked up an injury in the first leg. The Brazilian proved to be a revelation for Bursa, scoring 10 goals in 13 games since his arrival in January.

Coached by Şenol Güneş, whose career highlight is leading Turkey to a third-place finish in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Bursaspor will face the winner of the game between Azerbaijan’s Neftçi and Koper of Slovenia if they can triumph in Georgia.

Another Turkish team, Kardemir Karabükspor, is waiting to play against the winner of the second round tie between Norway’s Rosenborg and Ireland’s Sligo Rovers.

The third qualifying round games will be played on July 31 and Aug. 7. Bursaspor and Karabükspor finished seventh and eighth respectively, but were awarded European qualification spots, replacing Sivasspor and Eskişehirspor who were banned for match-fixing.