Fink central to Beşiktaş revival

Beşiktaş JK midfielder Michael Fink admits his team face a stern challenge if they are to beat VfL Wolfsburg in their fourth UEFA Champions League Group B outing on Tuesday, but he believes the players will thrive under the pressure of contesting a must-win game.

'Under pressure'
Mustafa Denizli's side have taken a solitary point so far and trail their second-placed opponents by three points following their goalless draw on Matchday 3, which leaves their meeting at the Inönü Stadium vital to their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. "It will be hard for us tomorrow," Fink said. "We feel under pressure. Nevertheless, I have no doubt we'll be successful. The football we played in the last 30 minutes against Wolfsburg was very good and if we can spread this through the whole game then the chances of us beating them will increase dramatically."

Ernst partnership
The German midfielder has taken some time to settle in Turkey after following fellow countryman Fabian Ernst to the club in the summer, losing his place earlier in the season off the back of erratic results. However, the Black Eagles lost 3-0 to their arch-rivals Galatasaray AŞ and 1-0 to Kayserispor in his absence from the starting lineup and he was quickly recalled, playing a part in a run of three consecutive league wins to get his side's campaign back on track. His partnership with Ernst was crucial to that revival, with Fink's technique, speed and goal threat complementing his compatriot's physical and defensive aptitude.

'Time to adapt'
"I needed some time to adapt to life when I first came to Turkey," said the former Eintracht Frankfurt player, 27, who scored the club's first goal of the season against İstanbul BB SK but has yet to strike since. "Now that period has finished, my performances have improved. I'm very happy with that. My primary job is to stop the opposition's playmaker. Therefore, I can't go forward to look for a goal but I'd like to."

Starting role
Denizli stated on Monday that Fink would be in the starting XI against Wolfsburg – a sign of how he has turned around his fortunes at his new club. A first UEFA Champions League goal for the Turkish champions would be the perfect demonstration of his rising stock, especially as he is set to come up against his erstwhile VfB Stuttgart team-mate Christian Gentner.