Başakşehir manager Abdullah Avcı has stated that his sides main aim in European competition this season will be to progress to the Europa League group stages.

The Istanbul minnows qualified for Europe for the first time in the clubs history this season following an unprecedented fourth placed finish.

Başakşehir will however, have to make it past the play-off stages if they are to make it into the group stages.

“I have spent a total of seven years at the club and we keep improving this season was a milestone,” Avcı told Milliyet in an interview with Levent Kalkan.

“We want to make it into the group stages and anything more would be a bonus.”

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Avcı returned to Başakşehir following a brief stint in charge of the Turkish national side.

The experienced coach guided the Istanbul minnows into fourth place despite the side only being promoted at the start of the season.

Başakşehir kept 16 clean sheets this season and had the best defensive record in the league.

Avcı’s side conceded the fewest goals in the league. The Istanbul minnows have only let in 30 league in total this season.