Fenerbahçe suffered their first defeat in the Europa League. The Canaries lost 1:3 away at AZ Alkmaar. En-Nesyri equalized the Dutch lead, but in the end Mourinho’s team acted far too carelessly, especially in the second half, and let themselves be taken by surprise.
Compared to the prestigious 3-2 win in Trabzon, coach José Mourinho had to do without the injured Irfan Can Kahveci and Alexander Djiku. Cengiz Ünder and Jayden Oosterwolde were also missing from the squad. For the away game in Alkmaar, Mourinho opted for a 4-3-3 with Dzeko instead of En-Nesyri, who started three times in a row. Mourinho himself sat in the stands after his red card in the game against Manchester United.
Lots of control, few chances – a tiring first half from low-risk Fenerbahce
There wasn’t much to report about the first half. Fenerbahçe started the match at the AFAS Stadium in Alkmaar at a relaxed pace, mainly focusing on avoiding the opponents’ chances, which at times completely stopped their own offensive game. Neither Saint-Maximin with his speed nor Fred with his intelligence could change that at first. They kept looking for Dzeko – who was found from time to time, but then failed - as in the 29th minute with a low shot to the bottom left corner - by the strong Alkmaar keeper Owusu-Odoro. It was a bright day in the first half for Tadic, who always had good ideas on the right wing, but his teammates rarely recognized them. The bottom line is that Mourinho’s team dominated the game – but nothing else. The goalless draw meant we went into the break.
En-Nesyri misses a penalty but scores the equalizer with his head
After the break, the game suddenly picked up speed – because of tough duels, but above all because both teams opened their sights a little. Alkmaar was the beneficiary of the riskiest choice. The Dutch teamed up quickly on the right side, in the penalty area Parrott picked up the ball on the left and ran to Daal (59th), who pushed the ball into the bottom right corner with his forehead. Almost in return, Fenerbahçe had a quick chance to equalize. After an offense by Alkmaars de Wit, the visitors were awarded a penalty. In the meantime, the substitute En-Nesyri (62′) went into action, but he was only successful with a shot in the center of the goal.
A few minutes later the Moroccan did better with his header. En-Nesyri (70th) pushed a chip from Dzeko across the entire defense into the goal at the left post – the equaliser, which was very similar in style to Holland’s opening goal. However, the score did not last long as Fenerbahçe were no longer solid, especially in defence. Smit (75) marched centrally through the danger zone, brought down Becao in the penalty area and then beat Livakovic to give AZ another lead. A few minutes before the end, the scorer set up Kasius’ goal, which made the final score 3-1.
In the Europa League table, Fenerbahçe dropped to 22nd place with their first defeat in the competition. The next opponent is Slavia Prague on November 28. The series continues on Sunday against Sivasspor.
Interview: Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our interview today! We’re here to discuss Fenerbahçe’s recent match against AZ Alkmaar, where they unfortunately faced their first defeat in the Europa League. Joining me is renowned football analyst, Dr. Elif Kara. Elif, thank you for being here!
Dr. Elif Kara (DEK): Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to dive into the beautiful game.
TNE: Let’s talk about Fenerbahçe’s performance in that match. They lost 1-3, and it seems like there were some tactical issues at play. What did you observe?
DEK: Absolutely. The first half was quite telling. Fenerbahçe played with a lot of control but created very few chances. Their approach seemed overly cautious, which hindered their attacking flow. It was almost as if they were prioritizing not conceding over scoring.
TNE: Indeed, the Bergama team ended the first half goalless. Do you think José Mourinho’s tactical choices contributed to this?
DEK: Certainly. Mourinho’s lineup, especially with injuries to key players like Irfan Can Kahveci and Alexander Djiku, forced him to make adjustments. Though switching to a 4-3-3 with Edin Dzeko in place of En-Nesyri offered some promise, it didn’t translate into effective offensive plays. Dzeko’s efforts, particularly that low shot against the Alkmaar keeper, showcased potential, but they lacked the spark needed to break through.
TNE: You mentioned the injuries. How much of an impact do you think they had on the squad’s performance?
DEK: Injuries can significantly affect team dynamics and morale. Irfan Can and Djiku are pivotal players in midfield and defense, respectively. Their absence meant the team lost both creativity and stability. Then adding Carlos Tavares’ absence from the attack, it’s understandable why the team struggled to find its rhythm.
TNE: Mourinho himself was seated in the stands due to a suspension. How do you think this affected the team’s performance and decision-making?
DEK: Mourinho is known for his intense presence on the sidelines. His strategic adjustments during the game are one of his trademarks. Without him there, it may have left a gap in leadership during critical moments, especially when they needed to adapt to AZ Alkmaar’s tactics in the second half.
TNE: Speaking of the second half, it seems like Fenerbahçe was overwhelmed. What happened with their gameplay after halftime?
DEK: After the break, the defensive structure began to crumble, and AZ Alkmaar capitalized on that. Mourinho’s men were caught off guard and let their guard down. It was almost as if they were surprised by the Dutch side’s intensity. Unfortunately, that carelessness led to the three goals against them, which ultimately sealed their fate in that match.
TNE: Reflecting on this match, what do you think Fenerbahçe needs to address moving forward in the tournament?
DEK: They need to find a balance between defense and attack. It’s crucial for them to regain their attacking instincts and increase their offensive threats while solidifying their backline. Developing a more resilient strategy, especially when facing tough opponents, will be key to bouncing back from this defeat.
TNE: Great insights, Elif. Do you think Fenerbahçe can turn it around in their next matches?
DEK: Absolutely! Every loss is a learning opportunity. If they can analyze the mistakes from this game and regroup, they have the potential to bounce back. With Mourinho at the helm, I’m optimistic they’ll come back stronger.
TNE: Thank you for your time, Elif! This analysis has been incredibly helpful in understanding Fenerbahçe’s challenges and the road ahead in the Europa League.
DEK: My pleasure! Let’s hope for exciting performances in the matches to come!