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Fenerbahce head into a decisive UEFA Europa League playoff second leg against English side Nottingham Forest determined to keep their European hopes alive, despite a heavy first-leg defeat and a long injury list.
Head coach Domenico Tedesco stressed that the tie is far from over, insisting his team still believes it can pull off what he described as a “miracle” result away from home.
The match will be played at City Ground in Nottingham at 11 p.m. local Turkish time, with Italian referee Maurizio Mariani in charge.
Speaking at the club’s Can Bartu training facilities in Istanbul, Tedesco pushed back against suggestions that Fenerbahce’s European campaign is effectively finished. He underlined that the team has no intention of approaching the game as a lost cause, emphasizing that thinking the tie is already over would be a serious mistake.
The German-Italian coach explained that managing pressure is part of his role, adding that he tries to take tension off his players while encouraging internal confidence. He pointed out that the season remains long, noting that the team has already played 34 matches while still being only in February, a schedule he suggested inevitably brings injuries and difficult periods.
Tedesco also addressed recent domestic performances, arguing that the team is not in a poor overall position despite setbacks. He highlighted comeback victories earlier in the season and said the squad continues to compete strongly in both the Turkish Super Lig and European competition.
According to the coach, players sometimes underestimate their own resilience, and he expects the decisive phase of the season to unfold closer to April and May. He added that European matches should not be viewed as a distraction but rather as an opportunity, especially in intense away atmospheres.
The Nottingham Forest match will mark a historic moment for Fenerbahce, as the club prepares to play its 300th match in European competitions. Across its previous 299 games, the Istanbul side recorded 117 wins, 65 draws and 117 defeats, scoring 407 goals while conceding 422.
In the UEFA Europa League era alone, Fenerbahce has played 103 matches, winning 49 of them while losing just 23.
Fenerbahce will travel to England without seven players. Fred Rodrigues and Jayden Oosterwolde are suspended, while Ederson Moraes, Anderson Talisca, Edson Alvarez, Milan Skriniar and Caglar Soyuncu are sidelined through injury. Goalkeeper Mert Gunok and Anthony Musaba are also unavailable due to competition regulations.
These absences add to the difficulty of overturning the first-leg result, which saw Fenerbahce lose 3-0 at home.
To advance, the Turkish side must win by at least four goals in England to qualify directly. A three-goal victory would send the tie into extra time, and potentially penalties if the score remains unchanged.
Any other result would see Nottingham Forest progress.
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