The 2014-15 campaign delivered an ambitious and highly competitive season for Beşiktaş as The Black Eagles, under the guidance of manager Slaven Bilić, secured a crucial 3rd-place finish in the Süper Lig, which earned them a spot in the Europa League group stage. Leading the charge was the prolific Senegalese striker Demba Ba, whose 18 league goals (and 27 overall) anchored the attack in a campaign built on an exciting, but ultimately frustrated, title challenge that saw the team top the table for a significant period.