Jose Mourinho called the Fenerbahce fans the “decisive factor” in their 5-2 Second-Been victory over Feyenoord in Champions League qualification.
Despite losing the first stage with 2-1 in the Netherlands, goals from Archie Brown, Jhon Duran, Fred, Youssef En-Nesyri and Talisca de Turkish side helped to reach the Playoff round of the competition.
Feyenoord took the lead in the 41st minute by defender Tsuyoshi Watanabe, but Fenerbahce managed to take the lead for the break after Quickfire objectives of Brown and Duran.
Fred and En-Nesyri helped Mourinho’s side to get further control over the draw, but Watanabe appeared with a different goal for the visitors to give Feyenoord hope for an equalizer.
However, Talisca scored a fifth deep in the stopping time when Fenerbahce achieved a 6-4 aggregated victory in style in Istanbul.
Mourinho praised the impact of their fans, especially after they had done a goal, that his side would probably have lost this match last season.
“Compared to last season, the decisive factor today were our fans,” said Mourinho.
This is Kadıköy. This is hell.
And here we lead the dance. pic.twitter.com/xrtvfbghtk– Fenerbahce English (@fenerbahce_en) August 12, 2025
“When we were 1-0 lower, the score was 3-1. If it had been last season, this would have been very different. The situation of my players would have been different.
“When the score fell to 3-1, there was a positive feeling on the field. That was the difference in comparison with last season. The game was clear at any time. The first goal we admit was a farce. Then there was a crucial rescue by Irfan [Egribayat]Immediately back. It could have made it 2-2 and he made a fantastic salvation.
“Our strength was also decisive. We try to adjust our players to what we have and what we don’t have. Of course we don’t have the same level of players as Feyenoord. The strikers are very aggressive, the midfielders worked hard and the defense was very solid.
“Looking at today, we had to be firmer on the second goal. We had to keep the second goal. But it is the start of the season and the team is very tired. Nelson was on vacation until a week ago. The midfielders experienced many difficulties. But I think we have earned more than the defeat in Rotterdam.
“In general, I think the better side is advanced.”
Fenerbahce will be confronted to Benfica for a place in the competition phase of the competition after the Portuguese side Nice 2-0 in the second stage defeated and aggregated 4-0.
Fred Aursnes scored the opener after 19 minutes before he kept the Norwegian countryman Andreas Schjelderup eight minutes later to give Benfica an indisputable lead in the draw.
Nice failed to register a single shot on goal of their nine attempts, because Benfica beat their Ligue 1 opponents 1.48 to 0.56 on expected goals (XG).
Debrief data: Duran and En-Nesyri cause damage to Fenerbahce
The attacking partnership between Duran and En-Nesyri turned out to be too much for Feyenoord to use in the second stage.
Duran had the most shots (four), shots on Target (two), passes in the last third (nine) and gets in the box (six) in front of his side, while En-Nesyri won the most duels (seven) next to his goal and assist.
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