Istanbul, Turkey – Fenerbahçe don pack their bags as dem prepare to embark on dia 2025-26 UEFA Europa League journey. Di journey go start on Wednesday night wey dem go travel go Croatia to face Dinamo Zagreb for Stadion Maksimir. Under di guidance of coach Domenico Tedesco, di Turkish giants dey ready to show say dem no dey play, especially after dem draw dia last two matches for di Süper Lig. Dem dey look for chance to redeem dia self.
This season, Fenerbahçe don begin with di UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, where dem beat di Dutch side Feyenoord to reach di playoffs. Na there, dem meet one Portuguese team and e push dem down to di Europa League. Na wah! (Talk about dramatic twists!)
Dis match go mark dia first test for dis European second-tier tournament, where dem dey hope to establish some kind momentum early. But no be all good news, oh! Dem go play without dia main playmaker, Anderson Talisca, wey don collect red card during di Benfica playoff. Plus, Colombian forward Jhon Duran dey sidelined due to head injury wey go take am reach early October. E no too sweet for Fenerbahçe fans right now.
For di upside, Marco Asensio wey don start to show his scoring levels in dia last match with Kasımpaşa, go lead di attack for Fenerbahçe. Di fitness of Edson Alvarez dey questionable due to muscle issue, so e fit miss di clash. Na so e be, competition na competition, abi? (No rest for the wicked!)
On di other side, Dinamo Zagreb dey come into di match with strong form. Dem dey lead di Croatian league with five wins, one draw, and one loss from seven games. But dem self no showcase full squad as Raul Torrente dey out with cruciate ligament injury, plus another player, Ronael Pierre-Gabriel dey out due to muscle wahala, and di fitness of Sergi Dominguez dey in jeopardy. Miha Zajc dey face late fitness test, e get plenty drama.
Na third time Fenerbahçe go meet Dinamo Zagreb for official European level, and their previous meetings don show some gboom! In di 2018-19 Europa League group stage, Zagreb carry di day with 4-1 win for Croatia before dem clash for Istanbul end in 0-0. Last season, Dinamo top di group while Fenerbahçe come second. E no show finish for dem wahala o!
Over di years, Fenerbahçe don play 291 European matches, wey dem don chop 114 wins, 114 losses, and 62 draws, scoring 397 goals but allowing 412 goals enter nets. For di Europa League wey dem don dey call UEFA Cup before, dem don play 148 matches, winning 64, losing 46, wey dey pass di sporting limit, e no easy. Since dem start dis Europa League rebranding, Fenerbahçe don play 94 matches and e still dey very competitive.
As Fenerbahçe dey enter di match, dem no fit forget say dem dey under pressure to perform for both Europe and local grounds. Galatasaray don already fly six points ahead in di Süper Lig, so di Europa League dey look like one clear road dey take trophy home. Dinamo Zagreb wan show say dem still get di juice wey go make dem remain dominant inside Croatia. Make we see as e go play out. Na impressive battle ahead!
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