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The Mourinho Effect

Fenerbahcefootball.com Columnist and editor Onur Mutlu has analyzed The Mourinho Effect for Fenerbahce...

Fenerbahçe fans have been eagerly waiting for weeks to observe the “” on their team. So far, the fans are not yet satisfied, and they are not entirely wrong. The team’s loss of points in an away game against Göztepe, a team newly promoted to the Trendyol Süper Lig, and their defeat to their biggest rival, Galatasaray, at home have raised doubts among fans, leading them to question if Mourinho is still the same Mourinho as before.

First and foremost, it’s worth noting that it’s common for teams newly under Mourinho’s management to experience some difficulties early in the season. During the period when he’s getting to know the team, experimenting with different strategies, evaluating players outside of their usual positions, and as players adapt to intense training sessions, minor setbacks are quite normal.

Another well-known fact is that Mourinho’s teams prioritize not conceding goals before seeking to score themselves. As a result, the number of scoring opportunities for in matches may decrease compared to before, but the number of chances they allow their opponents will significantly decrease as well.

New Transfers

The contribution of new transfers to the team is currently not at the expected level. Only has managed to secure regular playing time, while El-Nesyri and are still being used as substitutes. Kostic has not yet reached his full playing capacity, so he only comes on in the later stages of games. The performance of these players will be critical in achieving the expected team performance.

It’s difficult to say that Maximin has fully utilized the time he’s been given. He is a player who loves to dribble and take on defenders, but his decision-making has not been very effective. Mourinho may need to advise him to focus more on providing assists, and perhaps he has already done so.

Amrabat joined the team on the final days of the transfer window, and since he was in good physical condition, he did not have to wait long to play. In the recent match against Twente, he made a classy assist, proving himself to be a very smart transfer. He is a key player who can help transition the ball from defense to Fred, and it’s clear that he will become one of Mourinho’s indispensable players.

El-Nesyri has disappointed fans by converting only one of the many chances he had during his limited playing time. His two missed opportunities in the match against Galatasaray could have significantly impacted the game’s outcome. Despite not yet meeting expectations, his achievements at Sevilla are still being talked about in Spain. There must have been a strong reason why Mourinho prioritized him at the top of his list. Fans need to be a bit more patient.

Europa League

In addition to a disappointing start in the league, Mourinho and his team have had a promising beginning in the Europa League. They defeated Union St. Gilloise, one of Europe’s standout teams in recent years, at Kadıköy, and secured a draw away against an in-form Twente. Up next is a match against Manchester United on October 24th. Mourinho, along with Fred and Amrabat, knows this team very well. While everyone is aware that their current form in the league might not be a good indicator for this game, facing a Manchester United side in such low spirits could be a great opportunity for Fenerbahçe.

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