In the early hours of July 24, 2024, Fenerbahce staged a dramatic comeback in the first leg of the second round of Champions League qualifying, beating Lugano 4-3. Before the game, Mourinho's first game in charge attracted a lot of attention, and this game made his debut a hot topic of discussion.
As soon as the match began, Lugano made Fenerbahce feel the pressure. In the fourth minute, Lugano's Gokic attacked from the right and his cross found Ayman in the box with precision. Against Fenerbahce's defence, Ayman headed into the net with little interference to give Lugano a 1-0 lead. At that moment, Fenerbahce's players and fans were in a state of anxiety, knowing that there was no room for error and that they had to react immediately.
Fenerbahce began to actively look for ways to break down the opposition defence after being upset. Although they quickly increased the tempo of the attack, the actual effect was not obvious. Szimanski came close to equalising with a long-range shot in the 30th minute that bounced off the woodwork. The players were clearly feeling some frustration and desperately needed to find their way as the game entered the final stages of the first half.
Just when everyone was a little anxious, towards the end of the first half, Fenerbahce was awarded a precious penalty. Tadic was fouled and fell to the ground, and the referee did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot. Dzeko stepped forward, his expression calm and confident. Despite the intense pressure on the pitch, Dzeko slammed the ball into the net to level the score at 1-1. At that moment, Fenerbahce's players were relieved and the tension on the field eased a little.
At the beginning of the second half, Fenerbahce immediately launched a fierce attack. Dzeko stepped up in the 46th minute and, after receiving a pass in the box, he didn't hesitate to shoot at goal, and the ball flew firmly into the net to take Fenerbahce to a 2-1 lead. At this point, Mourinho looked particularly excited on the sidelines, his fists waving, clearly pleased with the goal. The coaches and players alike felt the excitement they hadn't felt for a long time, but the game was far from over.
Lugano didn't throw in the towel easily. In the 64th minute, Bislimi's goal made the score 2-2 and the situation became tense again. Fenerbahce's players are under tremendous pressure and will have to recover quickly in order to maintain their advantage.
It was at this moment that Dzeko once again showed his heroic qualities. In the 67th minute, he made a successful tackle at the back of Lugano and then calmly pushed it home to complete his hat-trick and make it 3-2. Mourinho was so happy that he could hardly help himself when he saw Dzeko's excellent performance, and hugged the players excitedly. This moment is not only a tribute to Dzeko, but also a recognition of the team's all-out performance.
The game wasn't over yet, and in the 74th minute, Fred sent a pinpoint pass to find striker Kadioglu, who fired a long-range shot into the far corner to extend Fenerbahce to 4-2. The morale of the team has improved significantly, and the players have a confident smile on their faces. The tension was a little more relaxed, but everyone knew they had to stay focused to secure the win.
Some netizens commented: "There is an old man in the family, if there is a treasure." This assessment is particularly apt to describe the value of Dzeko. Lately, there has been a lot of talk about why Inter let Dzeko go in the first place, and this topic makes people feel a little regretful about that decision.
Dzeko's performance at Fenerbahce was truly impressive, especially in the opening game of Champions League qualification, where his hat-trick almost decided the course of the game. Recalling the situation at Inter at that time, Dzeko's departure made many fans feel regretful. As an experienced striker, Dzeko's sophistication and consistency are undoubtedly what any team aspires to have. His performances at key moments, especially the consistency of his penalty kicks, make one wonder if the result would have been different if he had been at Inter.
Those comments that "if there is an old family and a treasure", it is not unreasonable. Although Dzeko is old, his abilities and experience have become more valuable over time. His performance in Fenerbahce was a testament to that. In particular, his crucial goal in the game not only showed his attacking ability, but also his composure and courage under pressure.
Some netizens mentioned that if Inter had not let Dzeko go, maybe in some key games, like against opponents like Atletico Madrid, they would have performed better, and might even win the game. There is some truth to this view. Dzeko's penalty technique is very reliable, which is especially important in high-pressure games. Assuming he is still at Inter, against a strong team like Atletico Madrid, Dzeko's consistency and performance in key moments could be a big factor in determining the outcome of the game.
What is evocative is not only Dzeko's individual ability, but also his overall contribution to the team. An experienced striker is more than just a goal-scoring machine, his composure on the pitch and understanding of the game can help the team better cope with various situations. Dzeko's departure has indeed deprived Inter of a key tactical asset. This kind of loss is not only a shortcoming on the offensive end, but also a psychological impact, especially in the face of strong opponents, the lack of psychological advantage may make the team not stable enough at critical moments.
Looking back at Dzeko's performances at Fenerbahce, it is not difficult to see that his value lies not only in the number of goals he scores, but also in his presence in the game and his performance in key moments. His hat-trick gave Fenerbahce hope in the face of adversity and added a lot of luster to Mourinho's debut. It's fair to say that every appearance of Dzeko could change the course of the game.
Therefore, when everyone discusses the decision of Inter in the first place, it is difficult to feel regretful. If Dzeko is still at Inter, the team may have more confidence when it comes to big games. After all, having a veteran like Dzeko is a valuable asset, both on the offensive end and on the mental side of the game. His departure has undoubtedly deprived Inter of a stabilizing factor that they can rely on at some critical moments.
Although Fenerbahce had a slight problem late in the game, a lax defence allowed Lugano to score another goal in stoppage time, but it didn't detract from their victory. The 4-3 score was a bit of a sweat, but the win was crucial for them.
Towards the end of the game, Fenerbahce's defence was clearly a bit relaxed. Maybe it's because the leading mentality makes them let their guard down a bit, or maybe it's because the fatigue makes them less focused and there are some holes in the defensive line. Lugano seized the opportunity to score a goal in stoppage time, at which point Fenerbahçe's fans and players felt a little uneasy. Although this goal made the aggregate score 4-3, on the field, this goal made everyone's hearts rise to the throat.
Still, Fenerbahce's 4-3 victory put them on a solid footing on their way to qualifying. After all, they have a pretty important win away from home. For them, although the opponent's goal added a little suspense to the joy of victory, the whole game was still satisfying. The result of the victory left Fenerbahce with only a draw in the second leg at home to qualify for the next round.
Jose Mourinho's debut ended in such a result, which is really exciting. The game showcased his ability to make decisions and adjust as a new manager, and although there were some flaws, the overall performance was good. The atmosphere of celebration after the game also gave a sense of Mourinho's recognition and pride in the team's performance. His passion on the sidelines and the hugs he gave to his players showed how much he valued the victory.
In the next second leg, Fenerbahce only need to keep it to a draw at home, which is a relatively favorable situation for them. The support of the home team and the advantage of the lead will be a help for them. And the victory in this game also injected more confidence into them in the next games. While the players know that the defence is a problem, they also know that as long as they continue to perform consistently, there is still a good chance of progression.
This match is not only Mourinho's debut, but also a battle to test Fenerbahce's overall strength. Despite the challenges, they overcame them through their own efforts and adjustments. Fenerbahce's players and coaching staff are well aware that they will need to be more focused and careful in the next game to progress. As long as you maintain your good form and take advantage of the home advantage, you still have a good chance of qualifying.
The match not only showcased Fenerbahce's attacking prowess, but also allowed the 38-year-old Dzeko to prove his worth once again. His hat-trick was not only a turning point in the game, but also an exciting start to Mourinho's managerial career.
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