Beşiktaş Face Midfield Setback as Fabio Miretti Ruled Out for Up to Six Weeks
Beşiktaş will be without midfielder Fabio Miretti for an estimated four to six weeks after medical examinations confirmed a significant shoulder injury. The 23-year-old was hurt during the club’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Crystal Palace at TÜPRAŞ Stadium, leaving the side with another problem in the centre of the pitch.
Miretti started the match in place of Orkun Kökçü, who is recovering from a foot injury. In the 39th minute, the Italian fell heavily following a midfield challenge. He received treatment on the field but was unable to continue, and Salih Özcan came on before half-time.
Scans carried out by Beşiktaş’s medical staff identified substantial damage to the shoulder joint. The expected recovery period could keep Miretti out until late November, although his return will depend on how he responds to treatment and rehabilitation.
Injury adds to Beşiktaş’s midfield concerns
Miretti’s absence is particularly disruptive because Beşiktaş are navigating a packed schedule of domestic and European fixtures. His injury, combined with Kökçü’s ongoing recovery, reduces head coach Vincenzo Italiano’s options at a demanding point in the season.
The immediate test comes on Monday, when Beşiktaş are due to face İstanbul Başakşehir in a high-stakes Süper Lig fixture. With two midfielders unavailable, Italiano is likely to turn to Salih Özcan and Wilfred Ndidi to provide stability in the central areas.
Özcan has already stepped in for Miretti during the Crystal Palace match, while Ndidi could take on a larger role in shielding the defence and disrupting opposition attacks. Their responsibilities may extend beyond a single game if the recovery timelines for Miretti and Kökçü overlap.
What Miretti’s absence means for the team
Miretti’s injury removes a starting option from Beşiktaş’s midfield rotation and may force Italiano to adjust his preferred balance. The coach could have fewer opportunities to rotate players between league and European matches, increasing the workload on those who remain available.
The team may also need to alter how it progresses the ball through midfield. Depending on the chosen lineup, Beşiktaş could rely more heavily on Özcan and Ndidi for defensive coverage, while asking other players to contribute to build-up play and movement into attacking positions.
A congested calendar makes squad depth especially important. Regular rotation can help limit fatigue, but injuries may leave the same players responsible for consecutive fixtures. Managing minutes will therefore be a key consideration for Italiano while the club waits for its injured midfielders to return.
Recovery and return to action
A four-to-six-week estimate offers a broad recovery window rather than a fixed comeback date. Shoulder injuries can require different rehabilitation plans depending on the precise damage, and a player’s return is usually based on medical progress rather than the calendar alone.
Miretti will need to regain comfort and strength in the affected shoulder before he can safely resume full training and match play. Beşiktaş will also have to assess whether he can handle contact and the physical demands of competitive football without risking a setback.
Until then, the club’s priority will be to maintain balance in midfield with the available players. Özcan and Ndidi are expected to carry much of that responsibility, while Italiano considers how best to cover the gap across both Süper Lig and Europa League fixtures.