Jose Mourinho made a surprising claim following Fenerbahce’s 3-1 home defeat to Rangers, stating that the result was not as damaging as it seemed. Barry Ferguson’s side stunned the Turkish club in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, producing a remarkable performance in Istanbul.
Rangers got off to a flying start, with Cyriel Dessers scoring in just the sixth minute to put the visitors ahead. Fenerbahce responded through Alexander Djiku’s equalizer after 30 minutes, but their momentum was short-lived. Vaclav Cerny restored Rangers’ lead just before halftime and later secured the win with his second goal in the 81st minute.
Despite the defeat, Mourinho was adamant that the result was far from a disaster. Acknowledging Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland’s crucial saves, he argued that the scoreline could have been even worse for his side. “The result is good for us,” Mourinho told TNT Sports. “I know Butland had two or three fantastic saves, but I would say that the result is closer to being bigger than smaller.”
Fenerbahce controlled much of the game, registering 23 shots compared to Rangers’ eight, though the difference in shots on target was minimal at 7-6. Mourinho admitted that Ferguson’s tactical approach was expected, crediting the Scottish side for their defensive resilience and counter-attacking threat.
“They defended as much as they could and basically well,” Mourinho said. “In counter-attack, they were dangerous. I was not surprised.” He also expressed frustration over Rangers’ time-wasting tactics, particularly Butland’s prolonged restarts, but conceded that the opposition executed their plan effectively.
Looking ahead to the second leg in Glasgow, Mourinho remained defiant and warned Rangers not to celebrate prematurely. “The only thing I tell them is don’t celebrate too much because there is a second match to play,” he said. “If at the end of the second game they celebrate, I will congratulate them. For now, calm down, because it is not over.”
Ferguson, stepping in as Rangers’ interim manager following Philippe Clement’s departure, was thrilled with his side’s display but echoed Mourinho’s sentiment about the tie not being over. “We’ve got to remember it’s only half-time in the tie,” he said. “Fenerbahce have got one of the best managers there’s ever been. He’ll be hurting, and I’m sure he’ll want to come to Ibrox with his team and beat us.”
With a two-goal advantage, Rangers are in a strong position to progress, but Mourinho’s Fenerbahce will be determined to mount a comeback. The return leg promises to be an intense showdown, with a quarter-final spot in the Europa League on the line.