Fenerbahçe head coach Jose Mourinho said that in the Europa League his side will be able to compete to win the tournament after his team’s exit to Benfica in the Champions League qualifying playoff (0–0, 0–1).
Jose Mourinho's press conference statement
I think the stronger side won. We weren’t good; we lost too many duels. We couldn’t cope with their rhythm. Even when Benfica went down to ten men, they controlled the game. Honestly, they deserved it with the way they played in the first half. If we were in the Champions League, we'd probably play eight games. But in the Europa League, we could go all the way to the final.
The only goal in the return leg in Lisbon came in the 35th minute from Kerem Aktürkoglu. Fenerbahçe played with ten men from the 82nd minute after Talisca was sent off.
Benfica therefore advanced to the Champions League group stage, while Mourinho’s team will continue the season in the Europa League.
