Jose Mourinho wins first official match with Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce's head coach, Jose Mourinho present on the sidelines before first leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, Switzerland's Lugano team hosting Fenerbahce at Thun Stadium in Switzerland on 23 July, 2024. (Anadolu Images)
In the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, Fenerbahce clinched a dramatic 4-3 victory against Switzerland’s Lugano, marking Jose Mourinho’s first official match as the head coach of the Turkish side.
The Portuguese manager fielded a lineup closely resembling the one he favored in preseason friendlies for the match held at Arena Thun. Dominik Livakovic started in goal, with a backline consisting of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Caglar Soyuncu, Alexander Djiku, and Jayden Oosterwolde. Rade Krunic was positioned just in front of the defense, while the midfield featured Dusan Tadic, Fred Rodrigues, Sebastian Szymanski, and Ryan Kent. Leading the attack was veteran forward Edin Dzeko.
Notably, Bartug Elmaz, who impressed during the preseason, began the game on the bench. Mourinho opted to start Krunic in his place. New signings Oguz Aydin and Cenk Tosun were also included in the squad, though they began the match as substitutes.
Fenerbahce started slowly, conceding an early goal to El Wafi in the 4th minute. The Turkish side struggled to find their rhythm initially but managed to regain composure as the match progressed. Despite missing several opportunities, including a shot from Szymanski that hit the post, Fenerbahce earned a penalty just before halftime. Dzeko converted from the spot in the 45th minute to level the score.
The second half saw Fenerbahce take the lead through Dzeko once again in the 46th minute. Although Bislimi equalized for Lugano in the 64th minute, Dzeko completed his hat-trick shortly after in the 67th minute, restoring Fenerbahce’s advantage. Substitute Ferdi Kadioglu extended the lead to 4-2 in the 74th minute. Despite a late goal from Valenzuela, Fenerbahce held on for a 4-3 win.
Dzeko’s hat-trick
Edin Dzeko, Fenerbahce’s experienced striker, marked the new season with a hat-trick. The 38-year-old’s goals came at critical moments, helping his team secure the win. His performance not only showcased his scoring prowess but also made him the oldest player to score a hat-trick for a Turkish club in European competition, surpassing Shabani Nonda’s previous record.
Dusan Tadic continued his impressive form, orchestrating Fenerbahce’s attacks and assisting on Dzeko’s second goal. Newcomer Cenk Tosun made his debut in the 80th minute, replacing Dzeko.
Post-Match Remarks
Mourinho criticized the synthetic pitch at Arena Thun, stating, “Playing on a synthetic field was challenging, especially at Champions League level. It was difficult for the players to dribble and adapt. Such conditions are unacceptable.”
