Courtesy: Google
Fenerbahce's head coach Jose Mourinho has warned Rangers after losing to them 1-3 in the UEFA Europa League 2024-25 Round of 16 first leg. Playing at their home ground, Fenerbahce were outclassed by the visitors. However, Mourinho hasn’t lost confidence in his side despite his team’s defeat as he feels that the outcome of the game is good as the margin of loss could’ve been bigger. The Portuguese’s statement alludes to the fact that Rangers’ couple of goals got ruled out due to the off-side rule.
Regardless, Barry Ferguson’s team didn’t relent and emerged victorious eventually with a convincing margin against the hosts. With that, Rangers are in prime position to set up the last eight match with either Athletico Bilbao or Roma if they perform well in the second leg at home. But, Mourinho doesn’t agree with the fact as his statement read, "For me, I have to say that we deserved a punishment of this result. But if someone wants to ask me if it's over, no, I don't think it's over. The only thing I tell this is don't celebrate too much, because there is a second match to play, that's my only advice. If they celebrate after the second match I will congratulate them but now calm down because it's not over."
Playing at Ibrox has been a bit of a problem: Barry Ferguson
Rangers’ interim coach Barry Ferguson said playing at home stadium called the Ibrox has caused issues for his team, but he also stated that his team will celebrate tonight's victory against Fenerbahce and come up with the solution to the problem. Ferguson and his coaching squad witnessed their selection decisions getting backfired in one of their recent matches at home against Motherwell.
"I just thought I had to change the shape and it was a gamble I was prepared to take because I thought we could get a result. There's no way we think we're into the last eight. Playing at Ibrox has been a bit of a problem, but we'll enjoy tonight and then try to fix that problem," said Ferguson.
