Jose Mourinho welcomes his former membership Manchester United to Fenerbahçe on Thursday within the Europa League. Whereas the Crimson Devils have been unconvincing beneath Erik ten Hag, among the best coaches of recent occasions can be enjoying second fiddle to Galatasaray’s hegemony in Turkish soccer.
“You must win each recreation to be the champions”
When unveiled at Fenerbahçe, Mourinho talked about his title ambitions. The Portuguese stated it’d have been his consolation zone to educate at golf equipment aiming for Europa League qualification. He additionally doesn’t see the necessity to keep near house with a return to Liga Portugal.
In line with Particular One, there may be stress to win each recreation should you plan to be a Turkish Tremendous Lig champion. Fenerbahçe collected 99 factors final season, however they missed out on the title as their fierce rivals gained 33 of their 38 video games.
That made the primary assembly of the 2 giants a high-profile recreation. Galatasaray gained every of the primary 5 video games earlier than the journey to Fenerbahçe, who have been within the shut neighborhood with 13 factors.
The guests raced to a three-goal lead by the hour mark, however Mourinho as soon as once more confirmed his cussed facet after the sport. Davinson Sánchez escaping an early sending-off was the primary issue for his frustration as he walked out of an interview.
Fenerbahçe additionally dropped two extra factors on the weekend after conceding a late equalizer at third-placed Samsunspor. This opened an insurmountable eight-point hole between final season’s champions and runners-up, who do have a recreation in hand.
Victor Osimhen’s sensational switch additional strengthened Turkish’s most profitable membership. Mourinho accepted the problem when the Nigerian joined Tremendous Lig, however his crew already misplaced main floor within the title race.
Mourinho readies for showdown with Manchester United
Earlier than they get again into home enterprise, Fenerbahçe will host Manchester United within the Europa League. Ten Hag’s facet returned to successful methods within the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday.
After a quick spell out of the broader public, Mourinho can be anticipated to fireplace controversial statements in his press conferences earlier than and after the sport. Mourinho’s unmatched fame began when his Porto facet knocked out Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United on their technique to lifting the Champions League in 2004.
He additionally gained Europe’s premier competitors with Inter Milan in 2009. Nevertheless, he hasn’t returned to the Champions League correct since Tottenham Hotspur’s defeat to Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig within the Spherical of 16 tie again in 2020.
On Thursday, Mourinho will face the membership he helped to win the Europa League in 2017. Final April, he hinted at a scarcity of help from Manchester United’s board when he was at reign.
The sport in İstanbul may even be a reunion for United’s two former midfielders. Fred spent 5 years at Previous Trafford earlier than his transfer to Fenerbahçe final season. Sofyan Amrabat was initially seen as his substitute, however the membership determined towards signing him completely from Fiorentina.
Fred and Amrabat are designated starters in Mourinho’s double-pivot midfield. Up entrance, former Manchester Metropolis striker Edin Džeko will hope to attain for the tenth time towards United.
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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