Fenerbahçe clashes with Feyenoord in the initial battle of the third qualifying round in the Champions League
Fenerbahçe Overturns First-Leg Deficit to Advance in UEFA Champions League
Fenerbahçe has secured a place in the Champions League playoff round after an impressive comeback against Feyenoord in the third qualifying round. The Turkish side, managed by José Mourinho, overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit to win 5-2 at home, resulting in a 6-4 aggregate victory.
Past Encounters and Current Squad
The two clubs have a history, having played each other four times since 2016. Fenerbahçe has the upper hand, winning two matches, while Feyenoord has only managed one victory. In this recent qualifying tie, Feyenoord took the lead in the first leg with a 2-1 win in the Netherlands, but Fenerbahçe turned the tables in the return leg, securing a 5-2 victory in Istanbul.
Fenerbahçe's squad is packed with talent, led by manager Mourinho and featuring notable players such as Jhon Durán, on loan from Al Nassr, who scored in the second leg to help overturn the deficit. Other key contributors include Edin Džeko, Anderson Talisca (who scored late), and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Feyenoord, coached by former Fenerbahçe star Robin van Persie, relied on players like Santiago Giménez and Quinten Timber in midfield, with Tsuyoshi Watanabe scoring twice in the second leg for Feyenoord.
Expected Lineups and Future Matches
In the second leg, Fenerbahçe's notable players included Anderson Talisca (who scored at 90'+5), Youssef En-Nesyri (83'), Jhon Durán (62', plus an earlier goal), İrfan Can Yüksek, Mert Müldür, and Attila Szalai in defense/midfield. For Feyenoord, Tsuyoshi Watanabe (scored at 41' and 89'), Fred (55'), Santiago Giménez, and Quinten Timber featured for attacking and midfield roles, with van Persie overseeing the tactical setup.
Fenerbahçe will now face Benfica or Nice in the next playoff round for a place in the Champions League group stage. The winner of the Fenerbahce vs Feyenoord tie will advance to the Champions League playoff round, scheduled for 10 p.m. Turkish time (7 p.m. GMT) on an unspecified date.
John Duran is planned to be used as an impact substitute for Fenerbahce, according to team preparations. However, Fenerbahce will not have Anderson Talisca in their starting lineup due to injury concerns.
In the 38 qualifying matches, Fenerbahce has scored 56 goals and conceded 46. Over the course of 39 matches in the Champions League qualifying rounds, Fenerbahce has a record of 14 victories, 12 draws, and 12 defeats.
The return leg will be played on Aug. 12 at Fenerbahce's home stadium in Istanbul. New signings Milan Skriniar, Archie Brown, and Nelson Semedo are expected to feature in the match. Robin van Persie coaches Feyenoord, and the return leg will mark the second time these two teams meet in this qualifying round. Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg will officiate the encounter.
The Champions League playoff round is the next step towards the group stage of Europe's premier club competition, and Fenerbahce will aim to leverage home advantage to secure their progression in the tournament.
- Fenerbahçe, managed by José Mourinho, is set to face Benfica or Nice in the next Champions League playoff round, aiming to advance to the group stage.
- Despite manager Robin van Persie leading Feyenoord, the Turkish side Fenerbahçe has a successful history against them, with two wins compared to Feyenoord's single victory since 2016.
- Turkiye's football economy may see a boost with Fenerbahçe's progression in the Champions League, especially with their exciting lineup featuring players like Jhon Durán, Edin Džeko, and Anderson Talisca.
- In the European sports landscape, Fenerbahçe's participation in the Champions League playoff round presents a significant opportunity for Turkish teams to showcase their talent against the top European teams, including Russia's Benfica and France's Nice.
