24.07.2026 09:40
In the first match of the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round, Beşiktaş defeated Midtjylland 1-0. During the match, head coach Vincenzo Italiano was seen on live broadcast pulling a staff member from the bench by their shirt, lifting them to their feet. Speaking after the match, the Italian coach said he felt like the '12th man' on the sidelines.
Beşiktaş gained a significant advantage for the next round by defeating Danish representative Midtjylland 1-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round, hosted at Tüpraş Stadium. While the black-and-white team left the field with a victory, one of the most talked-about moments of the match was the actions of Head Coach Vincenzo Italiano on the sidelines.
HE PULLED THE OFFICIAL UP BY HIS T-SHIRT
During the match, the Italian coach was seen being very active on the sidelines, pulling a technical team staff member sitting on the bench up by his T-shirt. The stunned look on the staff member lifted from his chair was captured by live broadcast cameras, and those moments quickly became one of the most discussed images among football fans.
"I FEEL LIKE THE 12TH MAN"
Speaking at the press conference held after the match, Vincenzo Italiano said he was pleased with his players' energy on the field and the atmosphere created by the fans. Stating that the team needs to further improve its physical capacity, the experienced coach expressed his goal of building a team that takes approximately 40 shots per match.
Referring to his energetic demeanor on the sidelines, Italiano mentioned that during the match he felt like the 12th man, trying to read the game from the sidelines and assist his players.