Istanbul Başakşehir F.K. lost 3-1 to Universitatea Craiova in the UEFA Conference League play-off round. The only goal for Istanbul Başakşehir F.K. was scored by Davie Selke in the 9th minute. Universitatea Craiova's goals were scored by Alexandru Cicaldau in the 9th minute, Stefan Baiaram in the 27th minute, and Steven Nsimba in the 81st minute. Istanbul Başakşehir F.K.'s manager Çağdaş Atan commented on the match after it ended. Atan stated that they were quickly defeated in the 1-on-1 games they emphasized before the match, and that these problems were punished with goals in such intense environments. Istanbul Başakşehir F.K. has suffered 2 defeats in the 7 matches they have played this season. The team has played 6 matches in the Conference League and 1 match in the Trendyol Süper Lig in the 2025-26 season. Davie Selke, one of Istanbul Başakşehir F.K.'s new transfers, scored his 3rd goal for the club. The German striker scored his 3rd goal for the team with a header from a corner kick taken by Operi in the 9th minute. Alexandru Cicaldau, who played for Galatasaray and Konyaspor in Turkey before, scored a goal in the 9th minute, just like in the first match. Istanbul Başakşehir F.K.'s Ivorian defender Christopher Operi was given a red card for protesting. Operi was given a yellow card for protesting to the referee in the 80th minute, and after continuing to protest, the referee Daniel Schlager gave him a second yellow card and then a red card. A fight broke out between the two teams' benches after Universitatea Craiova's 3rd goal. Tension arose between the two teams' benches after Nsimba's goal. Çağdaş Atan made statements to the press after the match. Atan expressed his sadness over the defeat, saying, 'We had a dream start. We started great with the goal we scored from a set piece. We were quickly defeated in the 1-on-1 games we emphasized before the match. These problems are punished with goals in such intense environments. In fact, two goals were scored like that. We dominated the game with our moves until the red card in the second half. The game was over for us after the red card. Nuno Da Costa got injured after entering the game. We had to finish the game with 9 players. I congratulate Universitatea Craiova. I wish them success in the UEFA Conference League. We need to return to the league to be here again.'