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Fenerbahce will face Norwegian side SK Brann on Thursday in Matchweek 6 of the UEFA Europa League’s league phase, aiming to secure crucial three points to strengthen its position in the standings and boost its chances of advancing in the tournament.
The fixture marks Fenerbahce’s 100th appearance in the UEFA Europa League since the competition’s 2009 rebranding, with the Turkish club having recorded 48 wins, 30 draws, and 21 losses in its 99 matches to date.
The game is set to kick off at 11:00 p.m. Türkiye time (GMT+3) at Brann Stadium in Bergen, and the match will be officiated by Willy Delajod of the French Football Federation, with Erwan Finjean and Valentin Evrard serving as assistant referees.
Fenerbahce currently ranks 20th in the standings with 8 points from five matches, having secured two wins, two draws, and one loss. All victories came at home, while away performances included a 3-1 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb and a goalless draw with Viktoria Plzen.
Brann has delivered a comparable performance with two wins, two draws, and one loss. The Norwegian team maintained a perfect home record, defeating Utrecht 1-0 and Rangers 3-0, but failed to secure a win on the road, losing 2-1 to Lille and drawing with Bologna and PAOK.
Fenerbahce will be without several key players for the Bergen fixture. Forward Jhon Duran remains suspended, serving the second of a two-match ban following a red card against Ferencvaros.
Defender Caglar Soyuncu, right-back Nelson Semedo, and Spanish midfielder Marco Asensio will all miss the trip, with the former two still recovering from injuries and the latter sidelined by a minor muscle strain.
On a positive note, Polish midfielder Sebastian Szymanski, who has recently returned to full training, is expected to be included in the matchday squad.
Head coach Domenico Tedesco acknowledged Brann’s pressing strength and emphasized the need for composure under pressure. He noted that Brann consistently wins possession in advanced areas and combines physical presence with technical skill.
"They are not just physical—they press with intensity and have technically sound players who stay calm under pressure," Tedesco said. He added that breaking Brann’s pressing rhythm would require alertness and cohesion across the squad.
"We need to show character and composure. Everyone must stay switched on," he said, referring to the tactical approach Fenerbahce must adopt to return with points.
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