Fenerbahçe Walk Tightrope in the Europa League Playoff against Anderlecht

On February 14, 2025By Littum

Jose Mourinhos Fenerbahçe will host Anderlecht at şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium on Thursday in a pivotal Europa League playing game as the Turkish giants aim to keep their European hope alive.

Fenerbahçe hardly scraped into the playoffs and secured the 24th and last unrequited place by the slimmest margins.

Despite an impressive undefeated home drive, their European campaign has been underway, which has left Mourinho’s side with plenty to prove.

Fenerbahçes European matches in the middle of the domestic wave

A 2-2 draw with Central Jutland on Matchday Eight was just enough to exit Elfsborg and Braga on target difference, but it expanded Fener’s Winless strip in Europe to three matches.

Home draws against athletic Bilbao and Lyon emphasized their matches on the continental scene.

However, their domestic form has been another story. Three consecutive wins over Rizespor, Erzurum tracks and Alanyaspor, with 10 scored goals, have kept them in the title race and advanced them in the Turkish Cup.

But Mourinho knows that Europe requires a different level of performance, especially considering Fenerbahç’s worrying tendency to lose four of their last six first legs in knockout ribbon.

Their last meeting with Anderlecht in this competition, a 2-0 win in 2018, offers a glimpse of optimism.

The Belgian side has not yet scored in three visits to Istanbul, but the recent form suggests that they could pose a harsher challenge this time.

Anderlecht’s European edge

Anderlecht finished 14 places over the Fenerbahçe in the Europa League position thanks to a strong start that saw them collect 14 points from their first six games.

However, back-to-back defeat for Viktoria Plzen (0-2) and Hoffenheim (3-4) forced them into the playoffs.

Despite the setback, David Hubert’s team has raised well in Europe and only little one away defeat in the league while collecting seven points from three other trips.

Their domestic form has also been solid and reached the Belgian cup final with a 3-2 overall win over Antwerp before defeating the same page 2-0 in the league.

However, with Anderlecht, which is 15 points behind league leaders Genk, their focus is on European progression.

Transfer increase

Fenerbahçe was active in the transfer window in January and strengthened their team with the arrival of Anderson Talisca and Milana Skriniar, both included in their Europa League team with Juventus borrower Filip Kostic.

However, limited squadry registration meant no place for other newcomers Diego Carlos, and nine Mimovic or I-form anduz Aydin.

On the positive side, Sofyan Amrabat and Bright Osayi-Samuel are back from European suspensions, while Youssef EN-NE-SYRI is also available after missing the Alanyaspor game due to a domestic ban.

The Moroccan striker is on the brink of history and sits a goal shyly for Fenerbahçe’s record for most goals in a single European season (five).

After neting 14 times in his last 11 games, he will support himself to reach that milestone.

Defensive questions continue to be a concern for Mourinho, where several key players are sidelined, including goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, Rodrigo Becao, Jayden Oosterwolde, Alexander Djiku, Mert Muldur and Caglar Soyuncu, forced to early this weekend.

Anderlecht also has selection challenges with veteran defender Jan Vertonghen in the long term due to an ankle injury.

However, Moussa N’Diaye returns from suspension and strengthens Backline. Sam Edozie remains the sideline with a muscular problem, but Kasper Dolberg returned to the starting lineup against Antwerp and scored twice in a much needed confidence boost.

While Dolberg stepped up, Anderslecht saw the Danish duo Anders Dreyer and Zanka travel to MLS in January.

To compensate the club added defensive reinforcements in Adryelson, Cesar Huerta and Lucas Hey, all included in their Europa League teams.