21.02.2025 16:40
Fenerbahçe Vice President Acun Ilıcalı evaluated their matchup against Glasgow Rangers in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League and made a reference to Galatasaray regarding the contributions made to the country coefficient. Stating that Fenerbahçe has been the most successful Turkish team in Europe over the last five seasons, Ilıcalı said, "If a team from Turkey is going to participate directly in the Champions League, it is because of the points collected by Fenerbahçe."
Fenerbahçe, which eliminated Belgium's Anderlecht team in the round of 16 play-off of the UEFA Europa League, faced Scottish team Glasgow Rangers in the round of 16. Acun Ilıcalı, the vice president of the yellow-navy team, evaluated this matchup. Ilıcalı also made a reference to Galatasaray regarding the contribution made to the country’s coefficient.
"I WANTED OLYMPIAKOS"
Commenting on the draw on TRT Spor, Acun Ilıcalı said, "I can't say the draw is very easy, but it's a good draw. I won't say God gave me what I wanted, personally, I wanted Olympiakos. Of course, it doesn't matter for our coach and our club. Our draw before Anderlecht was very, very difficult. After coming out of such a group, we saw our team's exit as a success. We eliminated Anderlecht convincingly. We haven't seen Turkish teams remember such European clubs so easily. We thank our coach Jose Mourinho and our players for keeping us away from this tension. We love them," he said.
"WE GO, OUR COACH STAYS"
Speaking about coach Jose Mourinho, Ilıcalı stated, "We have been watching Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahçe from the very beginning. It is true that there is an adaptation process. He is a coach who quickly adapts to every team he goes to and gets the highest efficiency. Here, Mancini was not accepted as a coach, he went and became European champion. We didn't like two Spanish coaches, one became European champion, the other won the Champions League. Our president has emphasized from the very beginning; we go, our coach stays," he expressed.
"THE REASON IS THE POINTS COLLECTED BY FENERBAHÇE"
Acun Ilıcalı also stated, "If a team from Turkey is to participate directly in the Champions League, the reason is the points collected by Fenerbahçe."
"WE ARE THE TEAM THAT COLLECTS THE MOST POINTS"
Ilıcalı continued, "Actually, we fell on the hard side again. Bilbao is the number one favorite for the cup. Roma is our coach's former team. Which one would I prefer? I would prefer Roma, because it is also our coach's former team. As Fenerbahçe, we are the most successful team in Turkey in the last 5 years. We are the team that collects the most points. Today, a team from our country will participate directly in the Champions League, and the biggest reason for this is us. We have only one desire; the cup. It is not to belittle the teams in the cup. We trust our team," he said.
"OUR FANS ARE WRITING HISTORY IN KADIKÖY"
Ilıcalı, who expressed that he wants the first matches to be at home, said, "I want the first matches to be at our home. I trust our fans very much. Our fans have been incredible in the last few matches, they are writing history. We can inflict serious damage on the opponent in the first matches. If we win by 2-3 goals, we will gain a very, very big advantage. When you go to the second match with an advantage, the opponent will have to attack you." he stated.