The tie is level after a 1–1 draw
Fenerbahçe drew 1–1 with Lyon in the Champions League play-off first leg on Tuesday (10). Mason Greenwood scored the equaliser for Lyon (10). Loïs Openda was also involved and earned praise from the French press (6). You go to France needing a result to end that 18-season wait for the group stage.
Fonseca calls Fenerbahçe favourites
Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca was blunt after the match: "There was clearly a favourite team against us. I am quite satisfied. I think we put in a good game" (13) (14). He also warned it would be "dangerous to think things will be easier" in the return leg (13) (14). Malick Fofana is expected to play despite Roma rumours (4).
Kerem whistled by the home crowd
Fenerbahçe fans made their feelings known, whistling Kerem in protest during the 1–1 draw (9). Hürriyet columnists wrote after the match that superstars alone are not enough for long-term success (5). Kartal also responded to the fan chants for Asensio in Kadıköy (15).
Get the next Fenerbahçe S.K. brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Muriqi finally starts
Vedat Muriqi made his first start of the season in the 1–1 draw against Lyon (2). Romelu Lukaku has also debuted, signed for one season with an option for an extra year (1).
The transfer window is heating up
Diego Carlos is in advanced talks to join Parma on loan (3). Manuel Pellegrini keeps pushing for Sofyan Amrabat, and a Greek club is also in the race (7). Fenerbahçe management is reportedly heading to Italy to chase Hakan Çalhanoğlu (8). One more Fenerbahçe star has reportedly asked to leave, with İsmail Kartal holding the final decision (11), and an agent has arrived in Istanbul to push an exit forward (12).
The domestic picture
Your last league match ended 2–1 away to Gençlerbirliği on Saturday, August 15. That leaves Fenerbahçe 14th with 0 points after one match. Konyaspor come to Kadıköy on Saturday, August 22.
