Fenerbahçe 2-1 Union Saint-Gilloise

In the opening match of the Europa League, Fenerbahçe faced Union Saint-Gilloise at Ülker Stadium. The Yellow Canaries emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline.

Fenerbahçe’s goals came from Çağlar Söyüncü in the 26th minute and an own goal by Burges in the 82nd minute.

OSAYI SENT OFF, LIVAKOVIC SAVES A PENALTY

In the 73rd minute, Union SG’s Mac Allister received a red card, leaving his team with 10 men. Fenerbahçe’s Osayi Samuel committed a foul in the 90th minute, leading to a penalty and earning a second yellow card, which resulted in a red. In the 90+1 minute, Livaković saved Ivanović’s penalty.

NEXT OPPONENT: TWENTE

The Yellow Canaries, having started the Europa League with 3 points, will travel to the Netherlands to face Twente on Thursday, October 3, for their second group-stage match.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

2′ Sadiki reached the left edge of the penalty box for Fenerbahçe and crossed into the six-yard box. Oosterwolde slid in just in time to clear the ball, preventing a potential goal. Becao cleared the loose ball.

15′ Sadiki’s shot from the left edge of the penalty box was saved by Livaković.

17′ Ivanović latched onto a pass behind Fenerbahçe’s defense and fired a shot after beating Çağlar, but Livaković tipped it wide.

GOAL | 26′ Szymanski crossed from the left into the Union SG penalty area, where Becao headed the ball back into the six-yard box. Çağlar, with his back to the goal, struck the loose ball into the net. 1-0.

33′ Becao was booked for dissent.

36′ Mert Müldür sent a long pass into the Union SG defense, finding En Nesyri, who volleyed from near the penalty spot, but missed the target.

The first half ended with Fenerbahçe leading 1-0.

SECOND HALF

46′ The second half began with Fenerbahçe in possession.

48′ En Nesyri went one-on-one with the goalkeeper but shot over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.

54′ En Nesyri’s header from a corner was cleared off the line by Vanhoutte. Moris gathered the loose ball.

55′ Mert Müldür received a yellow card for a foul on Niang.

61′ Union SG made their first substitution, with Khalaili replacing Rodriguez.

62′ Sadiki’s shot from just outside the penalty area was saved by Livaković.

65′ Fenerbahçe brought on Osayi Samuel and Tadic, replacing Mert Müldür and İrfan Can.

67′ Khalaili’s shot from outside the box deflected narrowly wide.

69′ Castro-Montes fired a low shot from 22-23 meters out, but Livaković was well-positioned to save.

70′ Boufal replaced Rasmussen for Union SG.

71′ Tadic crossed into the penalty area, finding En Nesyri, but his header was saved by Moris.

RED CARD | 73′ En Nesyri was fouled by Mac Allister as he broke into the penalty area. Mac Allister was shown a red card, reducing Union SG to 10 men.

77′ Fenerbahçe made substitutions, with Cengiz Ünder and Youssef En Nesyri replaced by Mert Hakan Yandaş and Edin Dzeko.

80′ Boufal was shown a yellow card for Union SG.

GOAL | 82′ Osayi Samuel entered the box from the left after receiving a pass from Tadic. His shot was saved by the goalkeeper but deflected off Burges into the net. 2-0.

86′ Fenerbahçe substituted Fred with Cenk Tosun. Union SG brought on Sykes and Perre for Sadiki and Burgess.

87′ Osayi Samuel received a yellow card.

RED CARD | 90′ Osayi Samuel fouled Niang in the penalty area, receiving a second yellow card and was sent off. Union SG won a penalty.

PENALTY | 90+1′ Ivanović’s penalty was saved by Livaković.

GOAL | 90+3′ Union SG’s Ross Sykes scored, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

The match ended 2-1 in Fenerbahçe’s favor.

STARTING LINE-UPS

Fenerbahçe: Livaković, Mert, Becao, Çağlar, Oosterwolde, Fred, Amrabat, Szymanski, İrfan Can, En Nesyri, Cengiz

Union SG: Moris, Rasmussen, Mac Allister, Ivanović, Rodriguez, Burges, Castro-Montes, Niang, Vanhoutte, Sadiki, Machida

Fenerbahçe vs Union Saint-Gilloise Match Notes

In the first week of the UEFA Europa League, Fenerbahçe’s coach José Mourinho rotated his squad significantly compared to the starting 11 from the Galatasaray derby.

The experienced coach benched Alexander Djiku, İsmail Yüksek, Edin Dzeko, Dusan Tadic, and Allan Saint-Maximin for this match.

Mourinho entrusted Rodrigo Becao, Sofyan Amrabat, İrfan Can Kahveci, Cengiz Ünder, and Youssef En-Nesyri to start against Union Saint-Gilloise.

Livaković started in goal, while Mert Müldür, Rodrigo Becao, Çağlar Söyüncü, and Jayden Oosterwolde formed the defense.

Amrabat and Fred anchored the midfield, with İrfan Can, Szymanski, and Cengiz in advanced roles, supporting En-Nesyri upfront.

Among the substitutes were Ertuğrul Çetin, Ömer Bircan Camcı, Samet Akaydın, İsmail Yüksek, Alexander Djiku, Mert Hakan Yandaş, Edin Dzeko, Dusan Tadic, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Cenk Tosun, Yusuf Akçiçek, and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Cengiz Ünder’s First Start

Cengiz Ünder made his first start of the season. Initially rumored to be leaving during the summer transfer window, Cengiz had come off the bench in two league games but was given a starting role for the first time this season against Union Saint-Gilloise.

Irfan Can Eğribayat Out Due to Injury

Goalkeeper İrfan Can Eğribayat was removed from the match squad due to injury, and 17-year-old Ömer Bircan Camcı was called up as a replacement.

Irfan Can Kahveci Wears Captain’s Armband

Irfan Can Kahveci captained Fenerbahçe in the absence of regular captains Edin Dzeko and Dusan Tadic, who were both on the bench.

Amrabat’s First Start

Sofyan Amrabat made his first start for Fenerbahçe since joining late in the transfer window.

Osayi-Samuel Returns After Injury

Bright Osayi-Samuel returned to the squad after missing four matches due to injury. He made his comeback after 41 days but started the match on the bench.

Tadic’s First Time on the Bench

For the first time this season, Dusan Tadic did not start a match. Tadic had been in the starting 11 for all 10 of Fenerbahçe’s matches this season.

Sparse Attendance in the Stands

Fenerbahçe fans did not show as much interest in the Union Saint-Gilloise match compared to previous games this season, leaving some empty sections in the stands.