At this rate, the fans will have to see cardiologists or psychiatrists

José Mourinho's Fenerbahçe pulled off a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against Rizespor, keeping their title hopes alive in the Turkish Super Lig.

At this rate, the fans will have to see cardiologists or psychiatrists Embed from Getty Images

José Mourinho pulled off an impressive comeback on Sunday as Fenerbahçe overturned a two-goal deficit to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig.

The match, played at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the home fans experiencing despair, frustration, and ultimately, euphoria as their team clawed back from what seemed to be a disastrous evening.

The game started in the worst possible way for Fenerbahçe, as Rizespor, currently in mid-table, came out with an aggressive and fearless approach. The visitors shocked the home crowd by taking the lead through Ali Sowe, who struck twice to put his team 2-0 ahead in the first half. The Gambian forward’s finishing was clinical, exposing Fenerbahçe’s defensive lapses and leaving Mourinho fuming on the sidelines. The second goal, in particular, was a defensive nightmare for the hosts, as a misplaced pass in midfield led to a rapid counterattack, which Sowe finished off with composure.

Fenerbahçe, title contenders and currently in pursuit of league leaders Galatasaray, looked lost for most of the first half. Mourinho's frustration was evident, as his team struggled to create meaningful chances and failed to control the tempo of the match. The experienced coach has often spoken about the importance of defensive organization, but his players seemed to lack urgency, making Rizespor's job easier as they took full advantage of Fenerbahçe's slow start.

However, just before halftime, Fenerbahçe found a lifeline. Deep into stoppage time, the home side was awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed that a handball had occurred inside the box. With the 45+8th minute ticking, Edin Dzeko stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty home, giving Fenerbahçe a crucial goal before heading into the dressing room. The goal lifted the spirits of the players and fans alike, shifting the momentum in favor of the home side.

After a frustrating first half, Mourinho made tactical adjustments at halftime, introducing a more aggressive pressing system and demanding greater intensity from his players. His team responded with renewed energy, pinning Rizespor back in their own half and increasing the pressure. The equalizer came midway through the second half, once again through Edin Dzeko, who rose above his marker to head home a precise cross, bringing the score level at 2-2. The veteran Bosnian striker, who has been instrumental for Fenerbahçe this season, celebrated passionately, knowing that the comeback was now within reach.

With the game hanging in the balance, Fenerbahçe pushed forward relentlessly, sensing that Rizespor were beginning to struggle defensively. It was only a matter of time before the breakthrough arrived, and it came through Youssef En-Nesyri, the Moroccan striker who secured the winning goal in dramatic fashion. The goal sent the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium into a frenzy, with the home fans celebrating wildly after witnessing yet another unforgettable comeback under Mourinho’s reign.

Despite the euphoric ending, Mourinho remained critical of his team’s first-half performance, expressing frustration over their inconsistency. In his post-match interview, he didn’t hold back, stating: "At this rate, our fans will have to start signing up with cardiologists or psychiatrists. Once again, we played a terrible first half. It looks like this has become a trend because Fenerbahçe did absolutely nothing in the first 45 minutes. Our fans should probably start watching the matches only after halftime."

Mourinho’s comments reflect a growing pattern of slow starts from his team, something that has frustrated both him and the fans. Fenerbahçe has been involved in multiple comeback victories this season, showing their resilience and fighting spirit but also highlighting their inconsistencies in starting games with the right intensity.

With this victory, Fenerbahçe remains in second place in the Turkish Super Lig, three points behind Galatasaray, who currently sit at the top of the table. However, Fenerbahçe has played one more match, meaning that their title challenge remains complicated. The pressure is on Mourinho’s side to maintain momentum and hope that Galatasaray slips up in the coming weeks.

Looking ahead, Mourinho will undoubtedly demand improvements from his squad as they prepare for their next fixtures. The Portuguese manager, known for his high standards and tactical discipline, will be working tirelessly to ensure that his team does not continue relying on dramatic second-half turnarounds to secure victories. While their ability to fight back is a positive trait, Mourinho will want his players to start dominating matches from the opening whistle rather than needing late heroics.

As the Turkish title race heats up, Fenerbahçe will need to find greater consistency to keep pace with Galatasaray and avoid unnecessary nail-biting finishes. With Mourinho at the helm, the team has the experience and leadership to remain in contention, but as the season reaches its crucial stage, they must improve their performances if they are to lift the Super Lig trophy at the end of the campaign.

Updated: 09:04, 2 Feb 2025

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