Fenerbahce Takes Command Against Anderlecht
José Mourinho once again finds himself in the spotlight as his **Fenerbahce** squad seized a commanding 3-0 lead over **Anderlecht** in the first leg of their Europa League playoff battle. Taking place on February 13, 2025, the match highlighted the prowess of seasoned stars like Dusan Tadic, Edin Dzeko, and Youssef En-Nesyri. Tadic set the pace early by scoring with a precise header in the 11th minute, momentously giving Fenerbahce the upper hand. By halftime, Dzeko, facilitated by Filip Kostic's assist, eased his team into a comfortable two-goal cushion. Not to be outdone, En-Nesyri sealed the victory with yet another header in the 57th minute, ensuring the Turkish club’s grip on the match.
Mourinho, with his enviable track record and memories of past triumphs with Porto and Manchester United, remains characteristically cautious. "Normally, of course, when you are leading 3-0, you are happy, but there is a second leg. Therefore, everything is still out there," he remarked. His cautious optimism reflects the practical wisdom that comes from years of experience in football management, reminding fans and players alike that the battle isn't won until the final whistle of the second leg.
Highlights From The Playoff Round
In the same round of fixtures, other matches unveiled thrilling moments. Porto and Roma played to a 1-1 draw, where a late goal from Zeki Celik was canceled out by Porto's Francisco Moura. Roma's lineup took a hit with Bryan Cristante's late red card, leaving them at a disadvantage for the upcoming match.
A standout moment of the evening came from **Ajax's** Jorthy Mokio, who, at just 16, became the youngest player ever to score in the Europa League knockout rounds. His historic goal contributed to Ajax's 2-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise. Fans were treated to yet another record-breaking performance when Shamrock Rovers' Michael Noonan, only 16 years and 197 days old, scored the lone goal in their 1-0 victory against Molde, making European club competition history.
Elsewhere, **AZ Alkmaar** comfortably overpowered Galatasaray with a 4-1 triumph, while Real Betis exhibited their strength with a solid 3-0 win over Gent. An underdog story unfolded with Víkingur Reykjavík, as they became the first Icelandic club to win a European knockout match, edging out Panathinaikos 2-1. These matches added layers of excitement to what is already a thrilling Europa League season.
**Fenerbahce**, under **Mourinho**'s tactical watch, continues to march toward glory, even as they navigate injuries and suspensions. Their journey to this point hasn’t been straightforward, having narrowly clinched the playoffs as the 24th-ranked team in the new extended format. Fans and players alike are hopeful that Mourinho can guide them not only to knockout success but also in breaking their prolonged league title drought.