Carlos Carvalhal may not be familiar with the lion’s share of football grounds on these shores – but that is far from the case regarding the Britannia Stadium.
The Owls’ head coach takes his team to Stoke for the Capital One Cup quarter final clash on Tuesday, returning to a venue with which he is fully conversant.
Carvalhal was in charge of Besiktas in September 2011 when the Turkish giants were drawn with Stoke at the Europa League group stage.
After taking the lead, Besiktas went down 2-1, conceding a late penalty dispatched by Jonathan Walters.
Two months later, though, fortunes were reversed as Carvalhal’s men ended the Potters’ unbeaten run in the competition, triumphing 3-1 in Istanbul.
Besiktas went on to top Group E, with Stoke also qualifying for the next stage in second place.
Reflecting on his maiden visit to the Britannia, the Wednesday chief said:
“I remember a very good atmosphere at Stoke, with Besiktas taking many fans to the game.
“So this is not my first time at the ground of Stoke.
“I think they are the favourites for this game as the Premier side but we will go there and do the best that we possibly can.
“Our massive fans, thousands of them, will be there with us all the way and we want to make them proud.”