Jose Mourinho: “We Are Ready for the Tough Lille Challenge”

Fenerbahçe will play against France’s Lille team in the first match of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round away game tomorrow. Coach Jose Mourinho said it would be a tough match for both teams and they want to win.

Mourinho attended the press conference held at Hotel Barriere Lille before the match with midfielder Mert Hakan Yandaş.

Mourinho stated that they have prepared well for the match, saying, “I know it will be a tough match. I hope we win tomorrow’s game. I like the Lille team. We started watching our opponent after the Lugano games. We watched a lot. My team and I watched all the preseason games they played. We watched their matches against Celta, Wolfsburg, and Belgian teams. They have a new coach. They have a good team and very good players. Apart from David, they have been training as a full team since day one. It will be a tough match for us, but it will also be a tough match for them,” he said.

Reminding that only Fred has been injured since the beginning of the season, the experienced coach continued:

“Fred has had a significant injury. Other than that, the team is in good condition. So far, we have played seven matches, had 40 training sessions, and only had one injury during this period. There are players who joined the team late due to the European Championship and transfers. Their conditioning is ongoing. They are getting better every day. We have been training very well since the Lugano game. We are ready for tomorrow’s match. For the first time, I am starting the season early during a period when there is a European Championship. It’s tough because you play official matches and players join the team at different times after the European Championship. This makes our job harder, but I don’t like making excuses. We are motivated for this match. I always say the same thing; my motivation is always the next match. It will be the same tomorrow.”

Regarding transfer rumors, the Portuguese coach said, “Since I don’t know Turkish, I don’t understand what you say on television and what you write on social media. So, I’m out of these rumors. I would like to speak Turkish, but sometimes I’m happy that I can’t. Fred will not be with us tomorrow, but we have other players. I expect the best from the players I have. Every coach wants more players, but I am calm about this and focused on my job with the players I have. Of course, if a new player comes before the transfer window closes, I will welcome them, but I am not desperate. I trust my players to give their all.”

Evaluating the club’s goals, Mourinho said, “The club never told me that participating in the Champions League is a necessity. If we participate in the Champions League, it will be a prestige for the club, Turkish football, and the players. If you ask me ‘Can you win the Champions League?’ I would say, ‘Anything is possible, but I don’t believe in miracles.’ However, if you ask me ‘Can we win the Europa League?’ I would say, ‘Yes, we can.’ Despite that, if you ask me ‘Would you rather play in the Champions League or the Europa League?’ I would say, ‘I want to play in the Champions League.’ Of course, it’s a tougher draw than Lugano, but it’s also a tough draw for Lille. We are also a tough team for these opponents. There will be a great football contest tomorrow.”