Handicap for the second leg Lugano defeated by Fenerbahce despite scoring three goals

José Mourinho's Fenerbahce fight their way to an arduous 4:3 away win in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier. After the game, however, the star coach is annoyed and grumbles about the artificial turf in Thun.

FC Lugano start their European Cup campaign with a festival of goals and a home defeat. In Thun, the Ticino side were defeated 3:4 by Fenerbahce Istanbul in the 2nd round of the Champions League qualifiers. Nevertheless, José Mourinho was furious after the final whistle.

"Top football on plastic turf is not top football. The ball is slow, the players can't dribble. The game is slow," raged the Portuguese at the press conference. "I don't understand why UEFA allows the Champions League to be played on plastic turf. And I don't understand why a good team like Lugano wants to play on it. It was not good for the game," the Turkish coach made clear.

The 38-year-old Edin Dzeko was the match-winner for Fenerbahce, who had the overwhelming majority of the 6,000 spectators in the Thun stadium on their side. The Bosnian, who has already played for Manchester City, AS Roma and Inter Milan, scored Fenerbahce's first three goals. He scored from a penalty in first-half stoppage time to make it 1:1, then 2:1 seconds after the break and 3:2 in the 67th minute.

To Lugano's credit, after conceding a fourth goal from Ferdi Kadioglu (74'), they rallied and were rewarded. Shortly before the final whistle, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Milton Valenzuela scored to make it 3-4, which improved the starting position for the second leg away from home on Tuesday.

Too many mistakes for Lugano

Lugano not only contributed to the goal spectacle in Thun with their goals, but also involuntarily with mistakes. Yanis Cimignani conceded the penalty before the 1:1 with an uncontrolled tackle, carelessly undoing the good work of Lugano, who had defended the lead taken by Ayman El Wafi in the 4th minute well until then. Lugano's second goal in the 64th minute from Uran Bislimi was also followed by a mistake from the hosts: substitute Lukas Mai played the ball into the feet of Fred in his own penalty area just two and a half minutes after making it 2-2, allowing him to set Dzeko up perfectly.

The task for the second leg looks difficult, even though Lugano had good experience in Istanbul last season, winning 3-2 against Besiktas in the group stage of the Conference League. At half-time of the duel with Fenerbahce, there are more indications that Mattia Croci-Torti and his team will continue their journey in the Europa League. Their opponents in the 3rd qualifying round would be the loser of the clash between Dynamo Kiev and Partizan Belgrade, which would almost certainly be Partizan, who lost the first leg 2:6.

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Lugano - Fenerbahce Istanbul 3:4 (1:1)

Thun. - 6009 spectators. - SR Martins (POR). - Goals: 4. El Wafi 1:0. 45. Dzeko (penalty) 1:1. 46. Dzeko 1:2. 64. Bislimi 2:2. 67. Dzeko 2:3. 74. Kadioglu 2:4. 94. Valenzuela 3:4.

Lugano: Saipi; Zanotti, Papadopoulos, El Wafi, Valenzuela; Bislimi (72. Dos Santos), Grgic (80. Mahmoud), Doumbia; Cimignani (61. Mai), Aliseda (72. Przybylko), Bottani (73. Mahou).

The live ticker to review

FC Lugano

Completed

3:4

(1:1)

Fenerbahçe

• Ayman El Wafi - 1:0 (4.)
•  
•  
• Uran Bislimi - 2:2 (64.)
•  
•  
• Milton Valenzuela - 3:4 (90.+4.)

•  
• (45.+1.) 1:1 - Edin Džeko
• (46.) 1:2 - Edin Džeko
•  
• (67.) 2:3 - Edin Džeko
• (74.) 2:4 - Ferdi Kadioglu
•  

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90.+5.

Final whistle: Lugano lose high-scoring first leg against Fenerbahce

90.+4.

Indeed: Valenzuela reduces the deficit to 3:4

Valenzuela scores the third goal for the home team shortly before the end.

90.

Four minutes of stoppage time

Lugano have four minutes left to score at least a third goal.

87.

Fenerbahce control the game

The Turks are defending their lead with aplomb. Lugano try to score from distance, but so far without success. Will the Ticino side launch a final offensive in the final minutes?

83.

Saipi saves easily against Fred

Lugano try to react to the deficit. But it doesn't really succeed. Instead, Fred gets another shot away for the visitors. But Saipi is on the spot.

74.

The joker scores - Kadioglu increases the lead for the visitors

Just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute, Kadioglu gets the ball and has too much space. The joker latches onto the ball and beats Saipi from distance. The Turks go one better.

67.

Dzeko scores his third goal - Fener hit back immediately after a mistake in Lugano's defense

Oh dear! Lukas Mai, who has just come on as a substitute, makes a huge mistake in the build-up and the visitors don't look back. Szymanski tees up Dzeko and he scores his third goal of the evening - Fenerbahce immediately go ahead again.

64.

Goal for Lugano! Bislimi scores the equalizer

And then the equalizer comes out of nowhere! Bottani has plenty of space on the left side of the attack and finds Bislimi, who turns on his axis in the center and gives Fener goalkeeper Livakovic no chance. Lugano are back!

60.

Valenzuela clearly misses the target

Lugano make their first appearance in the opposition penalty area after the break. Valenzuela skilfully outpaces an opponent and takes a shot, but misses the target by a wide margin.

53.

Fenerbahce pile on the pressure

Mourinho seems to have found the right words during the break. Fenerbahce give Lugano no breathing space and go in search of the third goal. An advance by Osayi-Samuel lands above Saipi's box. Can Lugano break free?

46.

Cold shower for Lugano - Dzeko gives Fener the lead seconds later

What a start to the second half. Dzeko is set up perfectly by Tadic and shoots straight away - Saipi has no chance of defending. Fenerbahce have turned the game around.

45.+1.

Dzeko converts with a lot of luck - Fenerbahce equalize

The veteran takes responsibility and shoots his penalty into the middle. Saipi gets his foot to it but is unable to deflect the ball goalwards. Fenerbahce equalize shortly before the break.

44.

Cimignani sabres Tadic - penalty for Fenerbahce

Cimignani is over-motivated in a tackle in the corner of the penalty area and pulls Tadic off his feet. The referee immediately points to the spot. The Luganesi claim that Zanotti was also fouled in the build-up to the attack. But the decision stands.

36.

Shot at the post! Fenerbahce almost equalize

After Luganesi lose the ball, Szymanski has plenty of space and goes for the finish. But his shot hits the post. Luck for Lugano and Saipi!

36.

Oosterwolde stops Zanotti roughly

The Fener defender stops Zanotti roughly, preventing a possible counter-attack, but gets away without a yellow card.

30.

Saipi makes a strong save from Fred

After a beautiful direct play via Söyüncü and Tadic, Fred gets a shot away from a dangerous position in the penalty area. But Lugano goalie Saipi is on hand to save the low shot.

28.

Fenerbahce get stronger

The Turkish side once again establish themselves in Lugano's half of the pitch. Dzeko is repeatedly sought in the center of the attack, but is not found. Lugano's central defense has kept the 38-year-old at bay so far.

23.

Lugano defend the lead with ease

The Ticino side are not letting anything go wrong in defense so far and are trying to be dangerous on the counter-attack. However, this has not gone according to plan in the last few minutes.

17.

Fenerbahce on the offensive for the first time

For the first time, the visitors are able to establish themselves in their opponents' half of the pitch for longer and earn several corners. However, Saipi is not yet tested. Lugano then concede a free-kick after a collision between Doumbia and Djiku.

12.

Lugano continue to push

Little has come from the Turks in attack so far. They are also repeatedly losing the ball in their build-up play. Lugano, on the other hand, continued to push forward after the opening goal and launched attack after attack. However, it has not been really dangerous since the goal.

4.

Goal for Lugano! El Wafi gives them the early lead

Lugano get off to a flying start and immediately take the lead from the first corner. El Wafi heads a cross from Bislimi into the Turkish goal.

Goool!!! Al 4 minuto El Wafi ci porta subito in vantaggio contro il @Fenerbahce! 😍😍😍#fclugano #fcl #noibianconeri pic.twitter.com/mB7TUCs9tr

— FC Lugano (@FCLugano1908) July 23, 2024

3.

Cheeky attempt from Cimignani

Luganesi's first dangerous move: Cimignani tests Fener goalkeeper Livakovic for the first time with a seemingly deliberate cross. However, Cimignani pulls the ball straight at goal and Livakovic is able to clear for a corner.

1.

Kick-off in Thun: The match is underway

0.

The teams are on the pitch - it's about to start

All set for the first leg between Lugano and Fenerbahce. Can the Swiss runners-up spring a surprise?

0.

The warm-up is about to begin: Fenerbahce take to the pitch in Thun

0.

Here star coach José Mourinho arrives at the Stockhorn Arena

0.

Numerous Fenerbahce fans wait for their team outside the stadium

0.

Hakan Yakin: "On paper, Lugano have no chance against Fenerbahce"

Last season, Hakan Yakin and Istanbulspor were well on their way to scoring against Fenerbahce Istanbul before his team completely fell apart within a few minutes. That doesn't have to happen to Lugano today.

Hakan Yakin is currently spending the last day of his vacation in Belek in southern Turkey. The ex-Nati star laughs when blue Sport asks him about his memories of Fenerbahce Istanbul last season. "We scored the 1:1 after just over half an hour. We almost beat Fener," says the former Istanbulspor coach. He doesn't necessarily want to be reminded of the fact that his team conceded four (!) goals within 12 minutes of the 1-1 draw.

To the article.

0.

More Fenerbahce fans than Lugano fans in Thun?

Lugano plays its European games in Thun. On their first appearance as home team in Thun's Stockhorn Arena, the Luganesi will not enjoy the same level of support. Although almost all of the 6000 tickets available have already been sold, around 5000 have gone to Fenerbahce fans traveling from the surrounding area, according to a report in the Thuner Tagblatt.

Click here for the article.

0.

Hello ...

... and welcome to the live ticker for the match between Lugano and Fenerbahce. The Ticino side are aiming for the Champions League. They have to get through three qualifying rounds on their way to the top flight. Hurdle number one is the Turkish top club.

90.+4.
Goal for FC Lugano, 3:4 through Milton Valenzuela

Milton Valenzuela
Defender
90.+4.
End of 2nd half
86.
Substitution in Fenerbahçe
Mert Hakan Yandas
Midfielder
86.
Substitution out Fenerbahçe

Fred
Midfielder
80.
Substitution in Fenerbahçe

Cenk Tosun
Striker
80.
Substitution out Fenerbahçe

Edin Džeko
Striker
80.
Substitution in FC Lugano
Hadj Mahmoud
Midfielder
80.
Substitution out FC Lugano

Anto Grgic
Midfielder
77.
Yellow card FC Lugano
Mattia Zanotti
74.
Goal for Fenerbahçe, 2:4 through Ferdi Kadioglu

Ferdi Kadioglu
Defender
73.
Substitution in FC Lugano

Hicham Mahou
Midfielder
73.
Substitution out FC Lugano
Mattia Bottani
Striker
72.
Substitution in FC Lugano
Daniel Dos Santos
Midfielder
72.
Substitution out FC Lugano
Uran Bislimi
Midfielder
72.
Substitution in FC Lugano

Kacper Przybylko
Striker
72.
Substitution out FC Lugano
Ignacio Aliseda
Striker
71.
Yellow card FC Lugano
Anto Grgic
70.
Yellow card Fenerbahçe
Jayden Oosterwolde
69.
Yellow card FC Lugano
Mattia Bottani
68.
Substitution in Fenerbahçe

Ferdi Kadioglu
Defender
68.
Substitution out Fenerbahçe

Dušan Tadic
Striker
68.
Substitution in Fenerbahçe

Mert Müldür
Defender
68.
Substitution out Fenerbahçe
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Defender
68.
Substitution in Fenerbahçe

Irfan Kahveci
Striker
68.
Substitution out Fenerbahçe
Ryan Kent
Striker
67.
Goal for Fenerbahçe, 2:3 through Edin Džeko

Edin Džeko
Striker
64.
Goal for FC Lugano, 2:2 through Uran Bislimi
Uran Bislimi
Midfielder
61.
Substitution in FC Lugano

Lars Lukas Mai
Defender
61.
Substitution out FC Lugano
Yanis Cimignani
Striker
59.
Yellow card FC Lugano
Antonios Papadopoulos
46.
Goal for Fenerbahçe, 1:2 through Edin Džeko

Edin Džeko
Striker
46.
Kick-off 2nd half
45.+4.
End of 1st half
45.+3.
Yellow card Fenerbahçe
Dušan Tadic
45.+1.
Goal for Fenerbahçe, 1:1 through penalties from Edin Džeko

Edin Džeko
Striker
29.
Yellow card FC Lugano
Ayman El Wafi
18.
Yellow card Fenerbahçe
Çaglar Söyüncü
4.
Goal for FC Lugano, 1:0 through Ayman El Wafi
Ayman El Wafi
Defender
1.
Start of the match