Fenerbahçe, wanting to redeem themselves after a tricky home defeat, kick off their Europa League journey on Thursday night time, internet hosting Union SG at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
The Yellow Canaries fell to Galatasaray in a heated league conflict over the weekend, whereas Union SG settled for a goalless draw towards Standard Liege in Belgium.
After taking the Fenerbahçe reins in June following his exit from Roma in January, Jose Mourinho had his sights set on a Champions League run.
However, a two-legged defeat to Lille within the qualifiers dashed these hopes, relegating the Yellow Canaries to the Europa League.
Despite that setback, Fenerbahçe has made a stable begin to the 2024-25 season, at the moment sitting second within the Turkish Super League, 5 factors behind unbeaten Galatasaray.
It was Okan Buruk’s facet that handed Fenerbahçe their first home lack of the marketing campaign final weekend, with objectives from former Arsenal star Lucas Torreira, Belgian icon Dries Mertens and ex-Norwich City playmaker Gabriel Sara sealing a 3-1 victory.
Prior to their weekend loss to the champions, Fenerbahçe had been in advantageous kind, stringing collectively a three-match profitable streak within the Süper Lig and netting 10 objectives with out conceding towards Rizespor, Alanyaspor and Kasimpaşa, with goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic conserving a clear sheet in all three matches.
Last season, Fenerbahçe had been a pressure within the Europa Conference League, defeating Union SG within the spherical of 16.
However, their marketing campaign ended within the quarterfinals towards Olympiacos, who superior through a penalty shootout.
Union SG secured a spot within the Champions League qualifiers after ending second to Club Brugge within the 2023-24 Belgian Pro League.
However, very like Fenerbahçe, they exited Europe’s high competitors after a 4-1 combination loss to Slavia Prague.
Since that Europa League-defining defeat on August 13, Les Unionistes have struggled.
They have misplaced simply as soon as in 5 Pro League video games however have did not win any of their final 4, with three goalless attracts towards St. Truiden, Anderlecht and Standard Liege.
Forward Mohammed Fuseini, a summer season arrival and Europa League veteran from Sturm Graz, leads the membership with two objectives, highlighting their struggles in entrance of objective.
After eight matches within the Pro League, Union SG finds themselves in a disappointing twelfth place, only a level away from St. Truiden, who sit within the relegation playoff zone – an unthinkable place for Sebastien Pocognoli’s facet.
Despite not profitable a league title since 1935, Union SG has not too long ago cultivated a profitable mentality in cup competitions, lifting each the Belgian Cup and Super Cup in 2024 as they gear up for this season’s Europa League journey.
Fenerbahçe might be with out former Queens Park Rangers ahead Bright Osayi-Samuel, who is anticipated to return subsequent month from a foot damage.
After scoring a second-half penalty towards Galatasaray, Edin Dzeko is poised to guide the Yellow Canaries’ assault.
The Turkish hosts boast a wealth of European expertise, with gamers like Sofyan Amrabat and Youssef En-Nesyri wanting to safe beginning spots after starting the final match on the bench.
On the opposite hand, Union SG might be lacking their high scorer, Mohammed Fuseini, who’s suspended following a purple card within the defeat to Slavia Prague in August.
Additionally, they are going to be with out Henok Teklab, who’s aiming for a comeback within the new yr after struggling a damaged leg.
Source: www.dailysabah.com