Newsletters
Fenerbahce suffered a 3-0 home defeat against English side Nottingham Forest on Thursday evening in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 16 playoff.
The visitors struck twice in the first half and added a third after the break to take firm control of the tie ahead of the return leg.
Fenerbahce threatened early in the 19th minute when Marco Asensio delivered a corner from the right that Mert Muldur met with a header, but the effort went just over the bar.
Nottingham Forest took the lead two minutes later. Murillo won possession in midfield, combined with Anderson and drove toward the edge of the penalty area. Shaking off Jayden Oosterwolde, he fired a long-range shot into the corner past goalkeeper Ederson Moraes’ left to make it 1-0.
Forest continued to apply pressure in the 28th minute when Odoi found Hutchinson on the left side of the penalty area. Hutchinson crossed to Morgan Gibbs-White, whose header was well saved by Ederson.
In the 38th minute, Anderson’s free kick from outside the box deflected off Williams and fell to Igor Jesus, whose first-time effort went wide.
The English side doubled its lead in the 43rd minute. Anderson sent in a corner from the left that Gibbs-White flicked on, allowing Igor Jesus to finish from close range at the far post for a 2-0 advantage.
The first half ended with Nottingham Forest leading 2-0.
Nottingham Forest made it 3-0 in the 50th minute, with Morgan Gibbs-White finding the net to extend the visitors’ lead.
Fenerbahce head coach Domenico Tedesco made one change from the lineup used in the previous Trabzonspor match. Ismail Yuksek was left on the bench, with winter signing Sidiki Cherif handed a starting role.
Ederson Moraes started in goal, with a back four of Nelson Semedo, Milan Skriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde and Mert Muldur. Matteo Guendouzi and N’Golo Kante played in midfield, while Marco Asensio, Anderson Talisca and Kerem Akturkoglu supported Cherif in attack.
Fenerbahce substitutes were Tarik Cetin, Engin Can Biterge, Archie Brown, Caglar Soyuncu, Ismail Yuksek, Fred Rodrigues, Yigit Efe Demir, Levent Mercan, Dorgeles Nene, Alaettin Ekici and Oguz Aydin.
Nineteen-year-old striker Sidiki Cherif, signed during the winter transfer window, made his first start for Fenerbahce.
The forward had previously featured as a substitute in league matches against Genclerbirligi and Trabzonspor.
English winger Archie Brown returned to the squad after 66 days out injured.
He had missed 11 official matches, including six league fixtures, three Turkish Cup games and two Europa League matches. His last appearance came against Konyaspor on Dec. 15, 2025. Brown began the match on the bench.
Fenerbahce were without Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez, who was sidelined after undergoing surgery due to ankle swelling.
Three winter signings — Matteo Guendouzi, Sidiki Cherif and N’Golo Kante — made their European debuts for Fenerbahce, all starting the match.
The match was attended by Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak and Turkish Football Federation President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu.
They were welcomed by vice president Murat Salar, general secretary Orhan Demirel and board member Taner Sonmezer.
Fenerbahce supporters filled Chobani Stadium, gathering hours before kickoff and creating an intense atmosphere. Fans called players to the stands one by one before the match, and all sections of the stadium were sold out.
Nottingham Forest fans also showed strong support, filling the 2,250-seat away section.
Former Fenerbahce head coach Vitor Pereira was on the Nottingham Forest bench, marking his return to the stadium in a different role.
Two Fenerbahce academy players were named in the matchday squad: 17-year-old goalkeeper Engin Can Biterge and forward Alaettin Ekici. Both remained on the bench.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
