The first ever competitive match outside of Germany didn't have the desired ending for Die Roten Bullen on Tuesday evening. Besiktas were 2-0 winners in Istanbul, with first-half goals from Ryan Babel and Talisca enough to earn the Turkish champions their second three points of the UEFA Champions League group phase.
The game didn't start well at all for Leipzig. Ralph Hasenhüttl's men were unable to get a foothold and found themselves behind after just eleven minutes, as a pull-back was fired home by former Liverpool man Babel. Things soon got worse for RBL, as Timo Werner had to be withdrawn after around half an hour. A forgettable first 45 minutes were capped off just before the interval when Talisca got in front of his man to head from Ricardo Quaresma's cross.
Chances were few and far between for Leipzig in the first half, but things improved significantly in that department after the change of ends. Marcel Sabitzer carried the biggest threat for the visitors, but twice saw Fabricio deny him with quality saves. Arguably the best chance to pull a goal back fell to Jean-Kévin Augustin, but the Frenchman blazed his shot over the bar from inside the box.
The defeat leaves RB Leipzig bottom of Group E with one point, trailing AS Monaco on away goals only after they were beaten 3-0 by second-placed Porto in tonight's other fixture. The Portuguese outfit are next up for Die Roten Bullen, as we welcome Iker Casillas & Co. to the RB-Arena on Tuesday, 17th October.
Team news
- There was just one change to the starting line-up. Stefan Ilsanker started ahead of Lukas Klostermann at right back, paving the way for Naby Keïta to return to his usual midfield position having overcome his thigh problem.
- Timo Werner had to be withdrawn after 32 minutes due to circulation problems.
- Kevin Kampl was fit again after his ankle problem and came on at half time.
Match facts
Beşiktaş:
Fabri – Medel (61' Uysal), Pepe, Tošić, Erkin – Özyakup (C), Hutchinson – Quaresma, Talisca (70' Arslan), Babel – Tosun (80' Negredo)
RB Leipzig:
Gulácsi – Ilsanker, Orban (C, 46' Kampl), Upamecano, Halstenberg – Keita (59' Bruma), Demme – Forsberg, Sabitzer – Werner (32' Klostermann), Augustin
Referee:
Sergei Karasev (Russia)
Goals:
1-0 Babel (11'), 2-0 Talisca (43')
Yellow cards:
Erkin | Orban, Keita
Attendance:
41,000 at Besiktas Park

2:0
26th Sep

Besiktas Park , Istanbul
Expedition Europa: Das Auswärtsspiel in Istanbul!
















































































