Istanbul Basaksehir 0 Burnley 0: Hart keeps clean sheet on debut

Joe Hart kept a clean sheet on his Burnley debut as Sean Dyche’s side battled to a 0-0 draw away to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Europa League’s third qualifying round.

Burnley were without key players including Chris Wood, Steven Defour and Robbie Brady for Thursday’s trip to Turkey ahead of the start of the Premier League season.

And although Basaksehir had the better chances in a tight match at the Fatih Terim Stadium, Burnley held on to prevent the hosts taking a lead into next week’s return leg at Turf Moor.

The winners of the tie will face either Olympiacos or Luzern for a place in the group stages, with the Greek side leading 4-0 after the opening leg.

8 – Ashley Barnes had just 8 touches of the ball in the first half against Istanbul Basaksehir – fewer than any other player. Lonesome. pic.twitter.com/NNCXXSjPTA

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 9, 2018

Former Turkey international Emre pulled the strings in the Basaksehir midfield but the hosts lacked end product in the final third during the opening exchanges.

Hart, making his first appearance after joining from Manchester City, had to push away Junior Caicara’s cross-cum-shot, with the goalkeeper then turning over a header from Manuel da Costa in the 36th minute.

James Tarkowski and Jonathan Walters both failed to bundle home in the box as Burnley made a strong start to the second half.

Edin Visca proved a handful for the Burnley defence and when the striker flicked on a long pass, substitute Milos Jojic should have scored but hit the side netting at Hart’s near post.

That miss proved the decisive moment in the tie’s first leg, as referee Srdjan Jovanovic waved away late penalty appeals for a Sam Vokes handball, with Basaksehir travelling to Lancashire for next Thursday’s reverse fixture.