Jose Mourinho has lauded Fenerbahce's supporters as the critical factor in their Champions League qualifying victory. The Turkish side overcame a first-leg deficit to defeat Feyenoord 5-2 in Istanbul, securing their place in the playoff round.
Fenerbahce's path to victory was not without its challenges. After losing the first leg 2-1 in the Netherlands, they had to mount a comeback at home. Feyenoord initially took the lead in the second leg, but Fenerbahce responded with a flurry of goals from Archie Brown, Jhon Duran, Fred, Youssef En-Nesyri, and Talisca.
Despite Watanabe's two goals for Feyenoord, Fenerbahce maintained control of the match. Talisca's late goal sealed the victory, sending the home crowd into raptures. Mourinho emphasized the critical role of the fans, stating that their support had been instrumental in overcoming adversity and securing the win.
"Compared to last season, the decisive factor today was our fans," Mourinho said. He explained that the team's resilience and positive response to setbacks were directly linked to the fans' unwavering support. This victory sets up a crucial playoff tie against Benfica, who defeated Nice to advance.
Looking ahead, Mourinho acknowledged the challenges posed by Benfica. He emphasized the importance of strategic adjustments and maximizing the team's strengths. The Fenerbahce coach will be hoping that home support will be able to push them into the group stages of the competition.
The attacking duo of Duran and En-Nesyri proved a handful for the Feyenoord defence. Duran had the most shots, shots on target, passes in the final third and touches in the box for his side, whilst En-Nesyri won the most duels in addition to his goal and assist.
