Fenerbahçe 2–0 Sturm Graz, one foot in the next round
Your team took control of this Champions League third qualifying round tie on Wednesday. Talisca opened the scoring and Mason Greenwood added a second just before half-time, assisted by Marco Asensio (1) (3) (8) (10) (15) (17). A clean sheet at home, a two-goal cushion. That is as good as it gets for a first leg.
Sturm Graz manager Fabio Ingolitsch did not hide how the night went. "Nothing went as we planned against Fenerbahçe," he said (11). He also admitted stopping Talisca is no easy task (1).
İsmail Kartal kept it simple afterwards: "There is no need to discuss his quality," the manager said of his team (12). He also noted the squad is physically reaching 70 percent fitness (16).
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
Oosterwolde injured, club issues statement
Jayden Oosterwolde went down during the Sturm Graz match. Fenerbahçe released an official statement on his condition, though details of the injury are still emerging (2).
Kartal on Kante, Greenwood, and Cherif
İsmail Kartal had plenty to say after the win. He praised N'Golo Kante and Mason Greenwood specifically (5) (16). On Sidiki Cherif, the manager offered his assessment, though the striker is drawing interest from VfB Stuttgart as a potential alternative to Dzenan Pejcinovic (14).
Talisca and Greenwood both spoke after the match. Greenwood described his goal as a proper number nine's finish (15).
Board member confirms striker search
Board member Cihan Kamer addressed the striker situation directly after the match. The club is working on a forward addition (4). The transfer window is open and the intention is clear.
Asensio runs the show
Marco Asensio wore the number 10 and delivered the assist for Greenwood's goal that sealed the win (8). His creative role in this team is growing at exactly the right moment.
Uğur Meleke: escape the 2024 nostalgia
Hürriyet columnist Uğur Meleke assessed the win with a pointed observation, suggesting the team needs to move beyond the glow of the 2024 season and focus on what this current side can build (3).
What comes next
The second leg in Austria will decide the tie. Before that, your Süper Lig season opens Saturday, August 15 away at Genclerbirligi.
Fan-reaktioner
The mood is upbeat but restless. Greenwood's goal was celebrated widely, and a Pavlidis rumor has fans debating whether Benfica's €50 million asking price is realistic. Join the discussion on the Greenwood goal thread.
