Fenerbahce turns the tide against Gaziantep to stay in title race

Fenerbahce secured a crucial 3-1 comeback victory against Gaziantep FK in the 33rd week of the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday, maintaining their pursuit of the league title despite an early setback.

After conceding shortly into the second half, Fenerbahce responded swiftly. A penalty converted by Talisca, awarded after a VAR review for a foul on En Nesyri, brought the visitors level.

Edin Dzeko then headed home from a corner to put Fenerbahce ahead, and Fred added a third goal minutes later, capitalizing on a loose ball inside the box to seal the win.

With the victory, Fenerbahce stands second in the Turkish Super Lig with 75 points from 31 matches, trailing archrivals Galatasaray, who lead the table with 77 points from 30 matches.

‘We took risks and deserved to win’

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho praised his players for their resilience and composure in a high-pressure encounter. He noted that the team remained mentally strong despite several key decisions going against them and emphasized the importance of maintaining belief throughout difficult moments.

“We took risks and deserved to win,” Mourinho said, underlining that Fenerbahce’s attacking philosophy naturally involves exposure to counterattacks. He added that, while Gaziantep scored through a quick transition, his team dominated possession, dictated the rhythm, and created continuous pressure.

Mourinho also highlighted the tactical adjustments made during the match, including switching to a more offensive formation in the second half to increase attacking options. “When things do not go as we want, we are not afraid to take risks. This team is built to play offensively and to fight until the end,” he stated.

The Portuguese coach reiterated his long-standing principle of focusing on the next match rather than external expectations, saying, “I cannot think like the fans. My mentality has always been to prepare to win the next game.”