Tough Road Ahead: Fenerbahçe Needs Two Wins for Europa League Play-Offs
With their victory against Slavia Prague, Fenerbahçe regained a competitive position for a top-8 spot in the Europa League. However, the defeat to Athletic Bilbao has dealt a blow to their ambitions. If the Yellow Canaries win the remaining two matches, they can still qualify for the Play-Offs. This would mean two additional matches.
The Yellow Canaries lost 2-0 to Athletic Bilbao. Following the tense final moments of the match in Kadıköy, Fenerbahçe‘s hopes of a top-8 finish in Europe have been significantly challenged. Even if they defeat Lyon and Midtjylland in their last two games, they may not advance directly to the next round. The results of their rivals will play a crucial role. Should Fenerbahçe fail to finish in the top 8, they will enter the Play-Offs and play two additional matches, scheduled for February 13 and 20.
Derby After the Second Leg
Coincidentally, the second leg of the Play-Offs aligns with the Galatasaray derby. In other words, if Fenerbahçe reaches the Play-Offs, they will face Galatasaray in the league potentially just three days after the second leg. Therefore, it is crucial for Fenerbahçe to secure a top-8 finish in the Europa League to avoid extra matches and maintain their momentum in both European and domestic competitions.
