The 2011-12 campaign was a season of dramatic European adventure and domestic consolidation for Besiktas, as the Black Eagles secured a respectable 4th-place finish in the Süper Lig under the guidance of manager Carlos Carvalhal. Spearheading the attack was the Portuguese powerhouse Hugo Almeida, whose 10 league goals and 14 goals in all competitions provided vital striking power. The season’s defining memory was a strong run in the UEFA Europa League, where the team advanced from the group stage and defeated Braga before their journey was ended by the eventual champions Atlético Madrid in the Round of 16, a campaign built on grit and the flair of their Portuguese contingent.