Fenerbahçe advanced to the UEFA Champions League play-off round following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sturm Graz in their second-leg fixture, securing the aggregate win after a 2-0 triumph in the opening leg, according to coverage from Fanatik and Habertürk.
Skriniar Assesses the Hard-Fought Play-Off Berth
According to post-match comments reported by Fanatik, the Slovak defender emphasized that the team achieved its primary objective despite a tense night on the pitch.
“Our goal was to get through the round, and we achieved that,” Skriniar stated, as recorded by Habertürk. He noted that matches against opponents trailing on aggregate and facing elimination are inherently unpredictable. “We knew today’s match would be difficult. Because, especially in the second leg, matches against teams that have nothing to lose are tough. We thought it would be like this.”
The veteran central defender also pointed out that an early conversion could have shifted the dynamic of the fixture. “If we had found the goal earlier, maybe things could have been easier for us. We are happy that we passed the round,” Skriniar added in quotes published by both outlets.
Midfield Balance and Guendouzi’s Tactical Value
Beyond the collective result, Skriniar singled out teammate Matteo Guendouzi for high praise, highlighting the midfielder’s spatial awareness and distribution during build-up phases. According to reports from Fanatik, Skriniar described the midfielder as an exceptionally smart and high-quality operator.
“Guendouzi is a very smart and quality player,” Skriniar said, via Habertürk. “He knows very well when he needs to approach us and when he needs to stay in the center. He always offers us an option in the build-up. Truly fantastic.”
Next Steps in Europe
With the 1-0 away win sealing the tie, Fenerbahçe turns its attention to the upcoming UEFA Champions League play-off round fixtures, where the club will fight for a spot in the competition’s lucrative group stage.
Worth a look
