José Mourinho had a confrontation with the Turkish press on Sunday after Fenerbahçe's loss of points against Samsunspor. After the league match, the Portuguese coach was critically questioned about his tactical decisions.
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Fenerbahçe and José Mourinho find themselves under pressure after their 1-1 draw against Samsunspor, which saw them fall further behind Süper Lig leaders Galatasaray.
The gap between Fenerbahçe and Cim Bom now stands at eight points, though Fenerbahçe still has a game in hand. Mourinho, known for his candid remarks, took the opportunity to praise Samsunspor and their coach for their strong organization, saying, “I want to congratulate Samsunspor and my fellow coach: they have a very well-organized team. I don't know how much impact this loss of points will have at the end of the season, because I don't have a crystal ball.”
The frustration among fans and media over Fenerbahçe’s recent form has been mounting, and it was reflected in the post-match press conference, where Mourinho faced pointed questions about his tactical decisions. One journalist in particular questioned why Irfan Can Kahveci, considered one of the team’s key players, didn’t start the match, only coming on as a substitute after nearly an hour of play. Mourinho, visibly irritated, responded, “I already expected these questions, because you now ask them every week. You keep crying about players who don’t play. You could also ask why goalkeeper Irfan Egribayat doesn't play or why Cenk Tosun doesn't play.”
Defending his choices, Mourinho refused to go into detail about his player selections in front of the media, stating, “I'm not going to explain in front of the camera why one player plays and another doesn't. I stand by my choices.” He did, however, highlight the contributions of Dusan Tadic, saying, “Tadic was our best player in the last few games. Not just because of his goals, but also because of the way he maintains balance and organizes our team.” Mourinho also gave Jayden Oosterwolde significant playing time, with the Dutch defender featuring for 75 minutes. On the opposing side, Samsunspor’s Dutch defender Rick van Drongelen played the entire match.
Meanwhile, Mourinho’s tactics have also come under fire from former Turkish international Nihat Kahveci, now a well-known analyst. Kahveci criticized the Portuguese manager for his choices, especially in light of Fenerbahçe’s inconsistent performances this season. “No Fenerbahçe player is performing better this season than last season,” Kahveci remarked. “And their best player, Irfan Can Kahveci, only played for twenty minutes. I don’t understand that. Fred is also a shadow of the Fred from last season, and Edin Dzeko was more of a defender than a forward against Samsunspor.”
Kahveci's remarks reflect a growing sentiment among fans and pundits who feel that Mourinho's tactical approach has left Fenerbahçe lacking the attacking edge they displayed in the previous season. The form of key players like Fred and Dzeko has been questioned, with both struggling to replicate their past performances. Fred, in particular, has drawn attention for his decline in form, while Dzeko, usually a leading figure in the attack, appeared to take on more defensive responsibilities in the Samsunspor match, much to the surprise of fans and analysts alike.
Looking ahead, Mourinho faces a significant challenge as Fenerbahçe prepares for a crucial European showdown against his former club, Manchester United. The match, which will take place at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium on Thursday, sees Mourinho up against United manager Erik ten Hag in what promises to be a highly anticipated clash. With Fenerbahçe's domestic struggles now compounded by their European commitments, Mourinho will need to find a way to reinvigorate his side if they are to keep pace in both competitions. The upcoming match against Manchester United will serve as a key test of Mourinho’s ability to turn things around and restore confidence among Fenerbahçe supporters.
Updated: 10:56, 21 Oct 2024
