José Mourinho's Fenerbahce Seizes Dominant Lead Over Anderlecht in Europa League Quest

by Jason Darries, 14 Feb 2025, Sports

9 Comments

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.

Byron Marcos Gonzalez 14 Feb

Ah the symphonic brilliance of Mourinho’s 3‑0 orchestration a veritable ballet of precision and poise 😏

Chris Snyder 14 Feb

Nice breakdown of the first leg the 3‑0 cushion is huge but the second leg will test the squad’s depth especially with injuries looming keep an eye on the midfield rotations 😊

Hugh Fitzpatrick 14 Feb

Oh sure a 3‑0 lead means the title is practically handed over right and the fans can just relax now sarcasm intended but still kudos to the boys.

george hernandez 14 Feb

Mourinho entered the stadium with his trademark calm. The Turkish crowd roared as Tadic rose for the opening header. The ball kissed the net at the eleventh minute and the scoreboard flickered to one. Dzeko paced forward with relentless vigor and met Kostic’s pass with a thunderous strike. The net rippled again and the two‑goal cushion felt inevitable. En‑Nesyri timed his run perfectly and delivered a soaring header in the second half. The final whistle echoed the dominant performance across the pitch. Tactical discipline defined every passing lane and defensive line. Mourinho’s experience manifested in the measured tempo and controlled aggression. The opposition struggled to find pockets of space against the compact midfield. Set pieces became a weapon as the Turkish side orchestrated each corner with precision. The coaching staff rotated quietly preserving energy for the upcoming second leg. Fans celebrated with chants that blended hope and nostalgia for past glories. The next match will demand focus composure and a touch of luck. In the end the 3‑0 lead offers a platform but not a guarantee of triumph.

bob wang 14 Feb

Indeed, the statistical analysis of the first‑leg performance, when examined through a rigorous lens, reveals a possession rate exceeding sixty percent, an expected‑goals tally of two point‑three, and a shot‑on‑target conversion of seventy-five percent; such metrics, undeniably, underscore Mourinho’s tactical acumen, and they bode well for the forthcoming encounter, provided the squad maintains discipline, mitigates fatigue, and adapts to the opponent’s adjustments. 📊

Seyi Aina 14 Feb

Man that long rant about Mourinho is just bragging the man’s already past his prime and that 3‑0 isn’t gonna save him from a comeback keep it real fam.

Alyson Gray 14 Feb

i cant even describe how i felt watching that header from en‑nesyri it was like a movie scene my heart was pounding i was screaming at the tv seriously the vibes were off the charts just pure joy omg.

Shaun Collins 14 Feb

What a flop total disappointment.

Chris Ward 14 Feb

actually i think the 3‑0 lead is huge not a joke maybe u’re being too cynical the team looks solid and the fans are buzzing keep the faith!