Wilfred Ndidi helps Besiktas hold off Hoffenheim in Europa League thriller

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi played a key role as Besiktas preserved their winning start to the UEFA Europa League with a 3-2 victory away to Hoffenheim on Thursday.

The Nigeria midfielder started at the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim and remained on the pitch until the 90th minute, when he was substituted by Umit Akdag.

Besiktas led through Michael Murillo 15 minutes after half-time. Ndidi helped initiate the move after receiving possession from Leandro Trossard, before Hyeongyu Oh’s touch created the opportunity for Murillo to score from close range.

Hoffenheim restored parity eight minutes later when Fisnik Asllani completed a solo move to make it 1-1.

The visitors responded decisively and went back in front in the 72nd minute. Junior Olaitan supplied Oh, whose finish followed a swift attack that exposed the home defence.

Oh added a third seven minutes later, meeting Ilhan Fakılı’s delivery to put Besiktas 3-1 ahead and complete his second goal of the night.

Hoffenheim continued to press and gave themselves hope of a comeback in the 87th minute. Koki Machida headed in from a Vladimir Coufal corner to narrow the deficit to one goal.

However, Besiktas withstood the late pressure to secure all three points and record their second successive win in the Europa League league phase.

They had opened their campaign with a 4-1 victory over Marseille. The result also extended Hoffenheim’s difficult start, with the German club suffering a second consecutive defeat after losing 2-0 to OFI Crete in their first match.

Ndidi’s contribution to the opening goal and his work in midfield proved important as Besiktas negotiated a competitive away fixture. His withdrawal in the final minute came after the Turkish side had established a lead they ultimately managed to protect.

The victory keeps Besiktas’s European campaign on course after two matches, while Hoffenheim remain without a point following their successive losses.