Zürich v Osmanlıspor background

Zürich will look for another bit of luck against Turkish opponents after a notable slice in 1963 as they take on Osmanlıspor, and their seemingly invincible coach, in Group L.

Previous meetings
• The clubs are meeting for the first time, in what is Osmanlıspor's first encounter with Swiss opposition.

• Zürich's record in five games against Turkish teams is W1 D2 L2 (W1 D1 at home).

• Zürich's first involvement with Turkish sides, in the 1963/64 European Champion Clubs' Cup first round, produced plenty of drama. They traded 2-0 home victories with Galatasaray, prompting a replay on neutral territory in Rome. It was 1-1 after 90 minutes, then 2-2 after 120, leading to Zürich winning the match on a coin toss.

Form guide
• With their 2-1 defeat at Villarreal on matchday one, Zürich have now gone four matches without a win in Europe (D1 L3).

• Since losing 4-0 at home to Dubnica on their European debut, in the 2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup, Osmanlıspor have gone eight games unbeaten in continental competition (W7 D1).

• Zürich have failed to get through this group stage in two attempts since making the cut on their first appearance in 2007/08.

• This is Osmanlıspor's first UEFA group stage campaign; they previously competed in Europe under the name Ankaraspor.

Links and trivia
• The journey from Ankara to Zurich is around 2,100km.

• Zürich centre-back Ivan Kecojević played in Turkey for Gaziantepspor (2012–14).

• Zürich qualified for the UEFA Europa League as winners of the 2015/16 Swiss Cup, but were relegated from the Swiss Super League in the same season.

The coaches
• Appointed Zürich coach in May following their demotion from the top flight, Uli Forte was a defender in Switzerland's lower leagues, climbing the managerial ladder with spells in charge of St Gallen, Grasshoppers and Young Boys.

• Hired in July 2015, Mustafa Akçay earned Osmanlıspor a European spot with a fifth-placed finish last term. He had occupied the helm of several low-profile sides in Turkey before leading Trabzonspor through the 2013/14 UEFA Europa League group stage.

• Akçay comes into matchday two yet to lose in 19 UEFA club competition games, 12 with Trabzonspor and now seven with Osmanlıspor.