Fenerbahçe made a victorious begin to their UEFA Europa League marketing campaign, defeating Belgian facet Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 at Ülker Stadium on Thursday.
The Yellow Canaries needed to overcome early strain, however a first-half aim from Çağlar Söyüncü set them heading in the right direction for the win.
Union Saint-Gilloise appeared harmful within the opening 20 minutes, creating three clear probabilities however failing to capitalize.
Fenerbahçe, nonetheless, slowly discovered their rhythm, controlling possession and pushing ahead.
Their persistence paid off within the twenty sixth minute when Çağlar Söyüncü netted a header from a set-piece to offer the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The residence facet held agency for the remainder of the half, maintaining their opponents at bay.
In the second half, Fenerbahçe pushed to increase their lead however struggled to create clear alternatives.
The recreation’s turning level got here within the 74th minute when Union Saint-Gilloise was decreased to 10 males after a pink card.
Fenerbahçe capitalized eight minutes later when Christian Burgess scored an personal aim, doubling the result in 2-0.
However, Fenerbahçe’s late-game nerves virtually price them. In the ninetieth minute, Bright Osayi-Samuel acquired a second yellow card, conceding a penalty.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic heroically saved the spot-kick, however Union Saint-Gilloise managed to attain within the 93rd minute by way of Ross Sykes, making for a tense end.
Despite the late drama, Fenerbahçe held on for the 2-1 win.
Fenerbahçe’s victory was sparked by nationwide staff defender Çağlar Söyüncü, who scored his first aim of the season.
The skilled center-back was strong all through the match, each in protection and assault.
On the other finish, Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero within the dying minutes, denying Union Saint-Gilloise from the penalty spot and incomes the adoration of the house crowd.
His efficiency drew lengthy chants of reward from the stands, particularly after his essential save within the 92nd minute.
Müldür beneath hearth
Not all Fenerbahçe gamers have been applauded. Right-back Mert Müldür discovered himself beneath hearth from followers after a sequence of misplaced passes.
Supporters voiced their frustration, chanting for Bright Osayi-Samuel, who ultimately changed Müldür within the sixty fifth minute.
In a shocking flip, some Fenerbahçe followers turned their consideration to Turkish nationwide basketball staff coach Ergin Ataman.
The supporters loudly expressed their displeasure with Ataman through the ultimate levels of the match, including to the tense environment within the stadium.
Mourinho’s reflection
Fenerbahçe head coach Jose Mourinho addressed the media post-match, acknowledging his staff’s struggles early on. “We couldn’t break their pressure in the first half. Both teams pressed high, and we found it difficult to find space,” Mourinho stated. “After the first goal, things changed. We started the second half well, created chances, but after going up 2-0, we thought the game was over. Clearly, it wasn’t. We made the final minutes harder for ourselves.”
Mourinho, identified for his candor, additionally mirrored on his strategy to success, reminding journalists, “The ‘Mourinho effect’ is winning trophies. It’s September; you can’t win trophies in September. I’ve won everywhere I’ve been, except Tottenham, where I left just before the final. But I can’t win trophies this early in the season.”
He additionally praised En Nesyri, saying, “His performance mirrored the team’s – good, but not great. He gave us what we needed until Dzeko came on. The goals will come, for sure.”
Fenerbahçe will face Twente on Oct. 3 of their subsequent Europa League fixture, the place they’ll goal to construct on this hard-fought victory and iron out the late-match jitters that nearly price them towards Union Saint-Gilloise.
Source: www.dailysabah.com