Sports writers evaluated the Benfica-Fenerbahçe match
Zeki Uzundurukkan – Success won’t come with Mourinho
We had high expectations for Fenerbahçe ! But we fell victim to Mourinho 's cowardly approach to football at Luz (Işık) Stadium. I've watched matches at that magnificent stadium in years. The atmosphere is truly extraordinary! Yesterday, we saw how the fans who filled Işık Stadium fired up Benfica! Fenerbahçe couldn't find the motivation for this historic match! For 15 days, Kerem Aktürkoğlu was down; Kerem Aktürkoğlu was up... When will he return? Will he? Has the deal been canceled? What happened? Questions were running rampant... But there was only one thing left: the Champions League... While the club was obsessed with Kerem's transfer, Mourinho couldn't say a single word to ignite his team!
Mourinho deemed Fenerbahçe worthy of the Europa League, not the Champions League! He kept squeezing Benfica into his sights! And yet, Fenerbahçe was completely devastated in the first half against Benfica, a team he had longed for! At times, Benfica stepped up their game and attacked Fenerbahçe's goal. At other times, they let the game cool down and lulled Fenerbahçe on the pitch. Benfica is a team that can play its moments very well!
Referee Vincic officiated the match like a lion. Fenerbahçe's midfield couldn't hold its own against Benfica. Fred, Amrabat, and Syzmanski weren't on their best behavior. This trio was utterly ineffective.
Mourinho started the second half by replacing Amrabat Ismail.
Fenerbahçe's midfield suddenly recovered.
Benfica, playing well, took the lead in the first half thanks to Kerem Aktürkoğlu, whose transfer to Fenerbahçe is being discussed. Kerem didn't go to the stands after the goal, nor did he celebrate it. Kerem is an emotional footballer... He didn't celebrate, but he showed what a professional star he is. He scored. No matter what anyone says, Kerem is a great player! Livakovic made the difference with two superb saves.
Why does Mourinho play Irfan Can in goal when he is in such good form?
I think this choice should be questioned as well...
Fenerbahçe , more effective in the second half, hit the post in the 71st minute when En-Nesyri's header hit the post. Talisca did more harm than good for Fenerbahçe yesterday. He was sent off after receiving two consecutive yellow cards in three minutes. Just as Fenerbahçe was recovering and going after Benfica...
How could Mourinho trust Talisca, whom he didn't trust in the league, and let him play in the starting eleven in such an important match?
Mourinho 's cowardice and poor player choices have made the Champions League a distant dream once again! Benfica practically lulled Fenerbahçe in both matches, securing their place in the Champions League... We wish Fenerbahçe success in the Europa League! Fenerbahçe is constantly making transfers, but there's no football to be found!
I think the biggest transfer for Fenerbahçe would be to part ways with Mourinho!
MUSTAFA ÇULCU – IT’S A SHAME FOR FENERBAHÇE
It will be remembered as a match lost without being played due to Mourinho 's unacceptable and bizarre pre-match statements. They took the first leg by capitalizing on Mourinho's mistakes and fears.
It was a shame for the country's football and Fenerbahçe .
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic is 45 years old, a seasoned, experienced, and well-known name. His assistants from last season's Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe match in Turkey, along with VAR referee Alen Borosak, are the same as for this match. Vincic tried to control the match with verbal warnings, which started very heatedly. But he realized too late that he couldn't control it.
Benfica scored a goal in the 11th minute, but Barreiro, who was offside, prevented Semedo from making a tackle at the far post. VAR called for the referee's interpretation and decision on this play. Vincic, who watched the play, correctly ruled out the goal for offside. Benfica scored the goal in the 23rd minute, but Barreiro pushed Brown in front of him, committing a foul and claiming the ball. Vincic's foul call and disallowance were correct. Otamendi fouled Talisca in the 26th minute with his elbow on the chest, but the referee remained silent and missed the call. Fred then fouled Barreiro off the ball. Fred should have received a yellow card, but the referee didn't show it either.
Silva, who intimidated Talisca with his fouls, didn't receive a yellow card. The fierce play continued in the second half. Talisca received an unnecessary and easy yellow card in the 79th minute. He was sent off for a second yellow card in the 82nd minute. Çağlar's yellow card in the 87th minute is bizarre! Vincic finished the match with 30 fouls, 7 yellow cards, and a red card for 1 yellow.
EMRE BOL – KEEP ON THE ROAD
Football is never just football. It's life itself. Being eliminated from the Champions League thanks to a goal from Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who will likely be playing for Fenerbahçe next week, is an incredible football story. Friends, let's sit tight and talk about the truth. Benfica is a better and more organized team than Fenerbahçe. Their playing habits are top-notch. I agree with Mourinho 's statement about the delay in the transfer window. I've always said from the beginning that it makes more sense to play for the Europa League than to skid in the Champions League.
It's fair to say we witnessed one of the worst performances from the midfield. Szymanski, in particular, lost almost every challenge against the opposition. With the midfield so weak, Benfica played inside our penalty area, especially in the first half. Because we couldn't offer any resistance. En-Nesyri played like a regular wing forward. When the ball comes in, he crosses in. So, who's going to head the ball? A whole 90 minutes went by without a shot on target! And what about the Semedo-Çağlar substitution? How logical is it to bring in a defender when there's Oğuz and İrfan Can there to enrich the attack?
In the second half, Benfica turned entirely to counterattacks. Even then, we couldn't find any real chances. There's no need to worry. It would be better to build a squad that can win the Europa League and continue there. This looks to be the weakest Europa League this season.
GÜRCAN BİLGİÇ – THE SİPEYŞIL FIASCO
Fenerbahçe , reflecting the mood of Mourinho , who had said the day before, "Benfica is good this way, bad that way," were on the field. They were barely able to execute two passes in a row, acknowledging their opponent's superiority and anxious to avoid conceding a goal. There are "heroes" in the stories of such matches. Either the team produces them from within, or the manager devises a special plan. While we expected this uncertain figure from up front and in midfield, it was Livakovic who kept Fenerbahçe in the game. He prevented the match from falling apart with two special saves. Despite Mourinho's complaints about his players, Benfica manager Lage possessed a weapon like "playing power." They pressed well up front and ran back. Whichever Benfica player received the ball, the plan was clear. He displayed his touches as if he were imitation of the Fenerbahçe manager who said, "Let the transfers come in and save us."
Kerem scored. Many of my friends sent messages of "rebellion." They expected Kerem to be like everyone else, playing against other teams. Yet, like a true Fenerbahçe fan, he gave his all to the club he earned his living. By not celebrating his goal, he also demonstrated his loyalty. Kudos to him. If Mourinho remains in charge after all this, if I were Ali Koç, I'd say, "Lage is your friend. Buy their training kit, learn their language, and apply it to our team." Or, I'd add, "Go, get a house on the street named after you in Settubál, and tell everyone who visits your local coffeehouse about the trophies you've won." Should such potential be entrusted to a "sipeyşıl" man whose only job is to talk and complain? Should we continue with a general who fled war, let alone failing to qualify for the Champions League? That's a matter for Fenerbahçe fans to discuss.
Takvim
