Fenerbahce can continue to dream of the Champions League. However, their performance in the 2-1 defeat to FC Lugano was less of an invitation to dream
It was not a home debut with a big “bang” – neither in a positive nor a negative sense. Fenerbahce progressed to the third round of Champions League qualifying with an uninspiring 2:1 win against FC Lugano. The stakes will certainly be even higher next week when they face Ligue 1 club Lille. The first leg in France will take place on August 6, the second leg in Turkey on August 13.
Fener went into the second leg against Lugano without their new goalscorer En-Nesyri, the most expensive new signing in SüperLig history. Seven days ago, the Turkish runners-up had won a spectacular match in Switzerland 4:3. A treble from ex-Wolfsburg player Dzeko had saved Fenerbace on that occasion. The now 38-year-old goalscorer was to have a decisive influence this time too.
First, however, Lugano crashed the party on coach José Mourinho’s home debut. After a chain of errors in the Turkish backline, which ended with Szymanski heading the ball to the edge of the penalty area, Hadj Mahmoud took full risk and scored with a dream finish into the right-hand corner (7th minute).
Only 42 percent possession and three shots on goal
In a first half in which Fenerbahce had just 42% possession and three shots on goal, the injury to Fred, who Yüksek had to replace after just 31 minutes, added to the problems. Krunic, who was overstretched in the first half, was then replaced by Yandas at the break.
A good decision by Mourinho, as Yandas lifted a free-kick from the right into the penalty area in the 59th minute, where Dzeko was left unmarked and headed home to make it 1-1. The game then thrived on tension before being decided in the home side’s favor in stoppage time: Dzeko initiated, Kahveci crossed, Tadic crossed with his head and Szymanski – unlucky before the 0:1 – pushed the ball over the line to make the final score 2:1 (90.+3).