Fenerbahçe’s coach Jose Mourinho, who drew 1-1 away with Twente in the 2nd week match of the UEFA Europa League, made a statement after the match.
Here are the words of the Portuguese coach:
Good and positive score. Every point you get away from home in Europe is positive. We got points against a good team, which makes it more valuable. We missed a clear position when it was 0-0, it happens to us every match. Oosterwolde’s shot hit the post, En-Nesyri missed it. This was the reason for our disappointment. Our opponent has short, agile players. Their coach is not a philosopher, but a good coach. They know counterattacks and defense. At half-time, I told my players that we should not concede 2 goals. We controlled the game well in the second half. We were able to keep and turn the ball better. If I were watching from an outside perspective, I would say it was a good match.
“The score we received is positive”
We could have found a draw earlier with Szymanski. After the equalizing goal, the momentum passed to us, we could have won. We saw too many yellow cards. Then we made changes. The score we received is positive for us. We have 4 points now. Our goal is to be as far away as possible from the teams that cannot advance to the next round in this league.
“Amrabat is a good character”
Amrabat is playing well, he is fit. He was playing in matches at Fiorentina, even playing 120 minutes in one match. He just needed to understand our game. He’s a good character. In such positions it is necessary to make such passes.
“I don’t know how many points are needed”
I don’t know how many points are needed to advance to the next round. According to one account, 11 points were enough. More than this score is required to reach the next round without playing in the play-offs. I am thinking step by step for this tournament. Let’s go to the next round and see what happens next.
“We need to get points away from home”
The 8-game draw is very difficult. Normally you expect to collect more points at home, but we will play against Manchester United, Athletic Bilbao and Lyon at home. Considering the difficulty of these opponents, we need to get points from the away matches in order to compensate for this situation.
“There is not enough time to explain”
Sometimes I feel like I came to Turkey to learn my job. Looking at the questions asked; It’s a good opportunity to learn my job. One day, maybe I can sit with journalists in Samandıra and explain things that are difficult to explain at the press conference. Because there isn’t enough time here.
“It’s hard to fall behind 1-0”
It is difficult to fall behind 1-0 against such a team. I told my players at halftime that we should not concede a goal. We were able to do more of what we wanted in the second half. Now they have 2 points, but they got these points from Fenerbahçe and Manchester United. I think they can advance to the next round.
“Tadic is playing with his brain”
I don’t like the age of actors. There are good players, average players, bad players. There is no age. Tadic has a brain, he plays with his brain. He understands everything. If he wants to be a coach one day in the future, he can do it, he has the right mind. We practiced the goal he scored yesterday. This made me very happy. He doesn’t panic when facing the goalkeeper, he stays calm, the experienced player hits the open corner. He is an important player. If he had the speed he had 10 years ago, I’d rate him more on the right side. People are probably wondering why I have him playing on the right and not on the left, that’s why. It is very important to play football with the brain, and Tadic has this too.
“The referee handled it well”
I always shake the opposing coach’s hand before and after the match, regardless of the result. I went directly inside. Should I celebrate 1 point? I am happy for 1 point, but it is not a reason for me to celebrate on the field. There was no reason for me to go directly inside. There was a foul on Szymanski, his return was a dangerous counter. Maybe I’m wrong. The referees managed it well. There were a lot of cards, but the criteria were the same for both teams. Both teams helped the referee to perform well.
