Midtjylland 2-2 Fenerbahçe: Late Equalizer Denies Fenerbahçe Victory, but Playoff Ticket Secured

In this crucial eighth-week encounter of the UEFA Europa League, Fenerbahçe took on Danish side Midtjylland with qualification on the line.

The match concluded with a 2-2 draw, allowing Fenerbahçe to advance to the playoffs.

Fenerbahçe initially fell behind 1-0 but managed to turn the score around to 2-1. However, Midtjylland found a late equalizer in the 86th minute.

Match Highlights

• 5th minute: Szymanski delivered a cross from the left inside the box, but the clearance fell to Edin Dzeko near the penalty spot. The experienced striker’s shot went wide.
• 23rd minute: Szymanski played a low pass from the left into the penalty area, where Tadic struck the ball first-time, sending it just wide.
• 27th minute: Midtjylland took the lead. From a short-corner play, Aral Şimşir sent in a cross, and Daio rose highest inside the six-yard box to head the ball into the net: 1-0.
• 39th minute: Fenerbahçe equalized. En-Nesyri latched onto Dzeko’s through ball and lobbed the ball over the keeper to find the net: 1-1.
• 42nd minute: Aral Şimşir worked a one-two inside the box but sent his shot over the bar.
• 47th minute: Edin Dzeko tapped in a low cross to put Fenerbahçe ahead: 2-1.
• 86th minute: Midtjylland equalized through Andreasen, who capitalized on a loose ball from a throw-in: 2-2.

Starting Lineups

Midtjylland: Lössl, Gabriel, Diao, Bech, Paulinho, Castillo, Andersson, Sorensen, Osorio, Şimşir, Buksa

Fenerbahçe: İrfan Can Eğribayat, Djiku, Çağlar Söyüncü, Yusuf Akçiçek, Mert Hakan Yandaş, Fred, İsmail Yüksek, Szymanski, Tadic, Dzeko, En-Nesyri

Saint-Maximin Left Out of Squad

Fenerbahçe’s experienced attacker Allan Saint-Maximin was not included in the squad for this tough away match.

Despite traveling with the team, the 27-year-old was left out due to a knee injury.

Fenerbahçe Missing Seven Key Players

Fenerbahçe played without seven of their key squad members against Midtjylland.

• Injured players: Jayden Oosterwolde, Rodrigo Becao, Dominik Livakovic, and Mert Müldür were unavailable.
• Allan Saint-Maximin was ruled out due to a pre-match injury.
• Sofyan Amrabat and Bright Osayi-Samuel were suspended after picking up yellow cards against Olympique Lyon.

Mourinho Watched from the Stands

Fenerbahçe’s head coach Jose Mourinho was absent from the dugout due to a UEFA suspension.

The Portuguese manager received a touchline ban after delaying kickoff in the Olympique Lyon match and had to watch the game from the stands.

Previously, Mourinho was also suspended for the AZ Alkmaar away match due to a red card received during the Manchester United game at Ülker Stadium.

İsmail Yüksek Returns After Six Matches

Fenerbahçe’s national midfielder İsmail Yüksek returned to action after six matches.

His last appearance came as a late substitute against Eyüpspor. Since then, he had missed league games against Hatayspor, Konyaspor, Adana Demirspor, and Göztepe, as well as cup and European fixtures against Kasımpaşa and Olympique Lyon.

He started in the Midtjylland match, marking his first UEFA Europa League start since December 11 against Athletic Bilbao.

Mert Hakan Starts After Over Two Months

Team captain Mert Hakan Yandaş returned to the starting lineup after more than two months.

With injuries, suspensions, and UEFA list omissions, Mert Hakan was given a starting role. His last start came on November 23, 2024, against Kayserispor.

Four Academy Players on the Bench

Due to a depleted squad, Fenerbahçe included four youth academy players in their matchday squad for the Midtjylland fixture.

• Engin Can Biterge (GK)
• Şükür Toğrak (DM)
• Zeki Dursun (CM)
• Yiğit Emir Ekiz (Winger)

Additionally, 19-year-old center-back Yusuf Akçiçek was given a starting role.