Ahead of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round second leg, Fenerbahçe manager İsmail Kartal has made it clear that his side will not sit back on their aggregate lead when they face Sturm Graz away from home. According to official club channels and regional press reports, the Turkish side arrived in Austria carrying a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, but the technical staff has warned against complacency.
Fenerbahçe enters the decisive fixture aiming to dictate the tempo rather than protect their two-goal cushion. “The first match gave us an advantage, but it didn’t secure the tie,” Kartal stated during his pre-match press conference, as reported by outlets including A Spor and Fotomaç. “Tomorrow we aren’t here to protect the score, but to play our own game and get through the tie. Sturm Graz is a team that plays very well at home. Our single aim is to return to İstanbul with the qualification.”
Tactical Blueprint and Squad Preparation
Fenerbahçe’s preparation has focused heavily on structured attacking patterns and defensive stability. Kartal addressed the team’s recent scoring form, emphasizing that their goals are the product of rigorous training ground routines rather than mere individual brilliance. “Every player has different qualities. All the goals we score are worked-on goals,” Kartal explained. “Of course quality comes into play, but if you work on these things, the quality emerges.”
The manager highlighted the defensive shielding provided in midfield by Matteo Guendouzi and N’Golo Kanté, noting how their positioning allows attacking players like Marco Asensio, Anderson Talisca, and Kerem Aktürkoğlu to push forward with freedom. “Guendouzi and Kanté defend very well. Up front, having quality players like Asensio, Talisca, and Kerem go for goals is a huge advantage for us. We think match by match, according to the opponent, and we will continue this way until the end of the season,” Kartal said.
Defensive Partnership and Personnel Updates
At the back, Nathan Aké and team captain Milan Škriniar have established a strong central defensive partnership. Kartal praised Aké’s pedigree and distribution from the back line. “Aké played in the biggest clubs in the world, he has huge achievements and played in the last World Cup. He is a very quality and professional player,” Kartal noted. “He and our captain Skriniar have formed a very good pair, playing in harmony. He brings the ball out very well and their communication is great. Our team defense actually starts from the front.”
Addressing squad fitness, Kartal confirmed that Jayden Oosterwolde is unavailable due to an injury sustained ahead of the fixture. “We are currently focused on the pitch. An unwanted injury happened for Oosterwolde, but we have players who will fill his place. Therefore, I don’t think we will experience any problems,” the manager said. Reports from NTV Haber indicated that three players in total would miss the European encounter.
Sturm Graz’s Perspective and Staging
On the opposing bench, Sturm Graz head coach Fabio Ingolitsch acknowledged the task facing the Austrian side at their home stadium. According to coverage in Hürriyet, Ingolitsch struck a defiant tone ahead of the kickoff, remarking that his team has nothing to lose and hopes to pull off an improbable comeback against the visitors from Istanbul.
Beyond immediate match preparations, Kartal also fielded questions regarding ongoing roster planning, stating that the club’s transfer committee is managing the window diligently while the coaching staff remains entirely focused on on-field performance. “Both our work on and off the pitch continues. Whatever decision needs to be made regarding players coming and going will be taken,” Kartal said.
Fenerbahçe will take to the pitch for the second leg, looking to secure their progression to the next round of continental competition before turning their attention back to domestic league commitments.
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