"Madman" led the team to counterattack and advance! Can the Turkish Super League giants return to the Champions League after 17 years?

In the early morning of August 13, 2025, the Saragioglu Stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye was in full swing. Fenerbahce, coached by Mourinho, defeated Eredivisie Feyenoord 5-2 in the third round of the Champions League qualifiers, and advanced to the Champions League play-off with a total score of 6-4.

If the playoffs can be passed smoothly, it will be the Portuguese "madman" returning to the Champions League stage after five years, and it is also the "21st charge" in his coaching career that sounded the clarion call for victory.

Back against the Wind: Tactical game in desperate situation and star flashes

Fenebache, who lost 1-2 away in the first leg, quickly showed resilience after returning to home in the second leg.

First half: The away team took the lead, the home team's Jedi counterattack

In the 40th minute: Feyenoord used a set piece to assist Huang Renfan to score a header, leading 1-0, with the total score 3-1 advantage.

The 43rd minute: Archie Brown headed the ball to equalize the score, 1-1 (total score 3-3).

In the 46th minute: Ennesri headed the ball and assisted Duran to score with a volley, overtaking 2-1 (total score 4-3).

Second half: Firepower is fully opened, blooming at multiple points

The 54th minute: Fred burst out the world wave, 3-1 (total score 5-3).

In the 82nd minute: Brown made a cross and assisted Ennesri with a low shot, 4-1 (total score 6-3).

The 88th minute: Watanabe just shot and scored a goal, 4-2 (total score 6-4).

The 95th minute: Talisca came on as a substitute to secure the victory, ending the suspense 5-2.

The last level: Playoff

Fenebache eliminated Feyenoord in the third round of the qualifying round and entered the fourth round of the Champions League qualifying round (playoff), and the opponent will be the winners of Portuguese Super League giants Benfica and French Ligue 1 Nice.

Promotion conditions

If Fenerbahce doubles his opponent in the play-offs (winning the total score), he will advance to the 2025-26 Champions League for the first time, breaking the 17-year curse. If you lose the playoffs, you will be relegated to the Europa League group stage.

Linear shortcoming: There is insufficient rotation space

Forwards rely on dual cores: Duran and Ennesri's combined net worth account for 45% of the team, but the two are only able to play in high-intensity games for 60 minutes.

The midfield creativity is lacking: Fred is defensive and lacks a core of the organization like Real Madrid Modric.

Aging of defense: Skriniyar leads the defense, and his turning speed may be targeted by the opponent's winger.

Referee risk: Mourinho's "disputed physique"

The Turkish Super League referee has launched a criminal investigation because Mourinho criticized his penalty (such as missing handball judgment and inaction of VAR). If there is another dispute in the Champions League (such as unsubscribed penalty and misjudgment of red cards), it may trigger UEFA's intervention and even affect the penalty scale.

Recruitment reinforcement: Targeting old players from the five major leagues

Fenerbahce targets marginal players from mid-range teams (such as Zinchenko and Katamo), and uses the Turkish super salary space and commercial income to attract sellers.

Risk warning: Rodrigo's loan cost is too high, and Catamo's cost-effectiveness is doubtful. If the signing fails, it may affect the competitiveness of the Champions League.

Mourinho urgently needs an efficient center (such as Akturkogru) to form a trident with Duran and Talisca, rather than simply supplementing the wing.

Future Outlook: Mourinho's "return to the five major leagues" conjecture

Although Fenerbahce's Champions League prospects are still unclear, Mourinho's career trajectory has sparked global speculation.

Return to the Premier League: Newcastle, Everton and other teams have once extended olive branches, but Mourinho's tension with the Premier League media has become an obstacle.

Serie A Redemption: After Inter Milan coach Inzaghi left office, Mourinho may take the opportunity to return to the "Blue and Black Army" and continue the script of "one step short of winning the championship".

East Asian gold rush: Japan's J League and Saudi League are constantly inviting, but Mourinho bluntly stated that "the five major leagues are the destination."

The last dance of the madman? Mourinho, 62, stands on the court in Istanbul, behind him are home fans and his unchanged Champions League dream in 17 years. Fenerbahce's path to advance may be difficult, but this reversal has injected a booster into the "madman". No matter what the result is, the story between Mourinho and football will always be full of suspense.

Do you think Fenerbahce can return to the Champions League in 17 years?

source:7m cn live vn