Fenerbahce’s Champions League hopes hang on defeating Lille
Players of Fenerbahce pose for a team photo ahead of UEFA Championship League 3rd qualifying match between Lille and Fenerbahce at Hainaut Stadium in Valenciennes, France on August 6, 2024. (AA Photo)
Fenerbahce faces a critical challenge in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round against Lille on August 13, 2024.
The match at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul is a do-or-die scenario for the Turkish giants, who must overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in France to keep their Champions League dreams alive.
Fenerbahce’s expected starting 11 against Lille
Fenerbahce began their preparations for this crucial encounter immediately after the first leg. Head coach Jose Mourinho has been leading rigorous training sessions focused on tactical drills, conditioning and match simulations.
The team’s starting lineup is likely to feature key players like goalkeeper Livakovic, defenders Mert, Djiku, and Oosterwolde and midfielders Ismail Yuksek and Sebastian Szymanski.
The expected starting eleven for Fenerbahce includes Livakovic in goal, with Mert, Djiku, Oosterwolde and Ferdi in defense. The midfield is likely to be composed of Ismail Yuksek, Rade Krunic, and Sebastian Szymanski. The attack is expected to be led by Edin Dzeko, with support from Dusan Tadic, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Irfan Can Kahveci.
Edin Dzeko, who has been in excellent form this season, is expected to lead the attack. However, Youssef En-Nesyri, another recent signing, is not expected to start because of fitness issues. Fenerbahce’s squad is otherwise fully fit and ready to take on the French side, with the players showing determination and focus during their final training sessions.
Fenerbahce’s extensive European experience
As Fenerbahce prepares for this decisive match, they will mark their 274th appearance in European competitions. Over these 273 matches, Fenerbahce has secured 109 victories and experienced 109 defeats, with 55 games ending in draws.
The team has scored a total of 373 goals while conceding 390. This match will also be Fenerbahce’s 38th in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. In their previous 37 qualifier matches, they have achieved 14 wins, 11 draws and 12 losses, scoring 55 goals and conceding 45.
| Competition | Matches Played (O) | Wins (W) | Draws (D) | Losses (L) | Goals For (GF) | Goals Against (GA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Cup | 54 | 18 | 10 | 26 | 72 | 91 |
| UEFA Europa League | 82 | 42 | 23 | 17 | 119 | 80 |
| European Cup | 33 | 9 | 4 | 20 | 30 | 70 |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifiers | 37 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 55 | 45 |
| UEFA Champions League | 40 | 11 | 6 | 23 | 42 | 70 |
| European Cup Winners’ Cup | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 11 |
| UEFA Europa Conference League | 18 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 44 | 23 |
| Total | 273 | 109 | 55 | 109 | 373 | 390 |
Fenerbahce needs strong performance to overcome Lille’s first-leg advantage
In the first leg played in France, Fenerbahce fought hard but ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat.
The match saw Fenerbahce equalize after falling behind, only to concede a late goal that gave Lille the advantage going into the second leg.
To advance to the playoff round of the Champions League, Fenerbahce must win by at least two goals. A one-goal victory would send the match into extra time, with the possibility of penalties if the tie remains level after 120 minutes.
“Fenerbahce will do everything to secure a win at home and move to the next stage,” said Mourinho ahead of the match. The coach emphasized the importance of the team’s mental and physical preparation, noting that the players are well aware of what is at stake.
What’s next for Fenerbahce if they advance or fall short after Lille match?
The match will be officiated by Spanish referee Jose Maria Sanchez, with the kickoff scheduled for 20:00 local time. Fans eager to watch the match can do so live on the Exxen platform.
If Fenerbahce wins by the required margin and advances, they will face the winner of the Slavia Prague vs. Union Saint-Gilloise tie in the playoff round.
The first leg of this next challenge is set for Aug.20 or 21, with the return leg scheduled for Aug. 27 or 28. Should Fenerbahce fall short, they will continue their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League.
Fenerbahce’s performance in this match will determine the direction of their European journey this season. The team, driven by their passionate fan base, knows the significance of this match, and they will give their all to secure the victory that will keep their Champions League hopes alive.
