AliousFenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho did not hold back in criticizing his team following their disappointing home defeat to Rangers in the Europa League round of 16.
Mourinho’s side had impressed in the previous knockout play-off round, securing a 5-2 aggregate win over Anderlecht, with a dominant 3-0 home victory paving the way for progression. However, they struggled to replicate that form against the Scottish club. Vaclav Cerny’s brace proved decisive, helping Rangers secure a **3-1 win in Istanbul** and putting Fenerbahce in a difficult position ahead of the return leg.
The game initially seemed evenly poised, with Cyriel Dessers and Alexander Djiku trading first-half goals. However, Cerny’s double after the break gave Rangers a commanding advantage, leaving Fenerbahce needing a remarkable turnaround at Ibrox to keep their European hopes alive. While Rangers have been strong at home—losing just **once in the group stage**—Fenerbahce may take encouragement from Lyon’s **4-1 victory at Ibrox in October, proving that a comeback is possible.
Mourinho’s Blunt Assessment
After the final whistle, Mourinho had the chance to shift blame, but instead, he directed his frustration at his own players. The Portuguese coach acknowledged a potential penalty decision** in Fenerbahce’s favor but dismissed the idea of focusing on refereeing mistakes, calling it “unethical” given his team’s poor performance.
He was particularly critical of his side’s defensive display, describing their mistakes as “incredible”** and highlighting their struggles against Rangers’ low defensive block and counter-attacking threat. Mourinho admitted that his team deserved to be punished with the defeat but insisted that the tie is far from over, stating, “If someone asks me if it’s over, no, I don’t think it’s over.”
Ferguson’s Tactical Approach Pays Off
This match marked Rangers’ first European game under interim boss Barry Ferguson**, who stepped in following **Philippe Clement’s departure in February**. Despite securing an impressive result against Mourinho’s side, Ferguson downplayed any suggestion that he had outsmarted his esteemed counterpart.
The 47-year-old revealed that his team spent just **an hour preparing for their tactical switch**, yet the players absorbed the information well and delivered a **performance to be proud of**. He praised their resilience, particularly after having **two goals disallowed** before securing a crucial third.
Ferguson also acknowledged Rangers’ inconsistent home form, admitting that **Ibrox has been a challenge**, but he expressed confidence that his team would **work to fix that issue** before the second leg.
What’s Next?
If Rangers can defend their lead at Ibrox next week, they will book a place in the **quarter-finals**, where they would face either **Roma or Athletic Bilbao**. The Italian side holds a slight advantage after securing a **2-1 first-leg victory** at the Stadio Olimpico, with **Eldor Shomurodov scoring a dramatic late winner** to edge them in front.
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