06.08.2026 00:40
Fenerbahce defeated Austria's Sturm Graz 2-0 in the first match of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. Stating that he was pleased with the performance of the players, Ismail Kartal said, "We had a special meeting last night. My players gave feedback. We talked with them about what they think and where this game is going. They gave good feedback. We held meetings about our game. The fact that these are emerging step by step makes us happy."
Fenerbahce defeated Austria's Sturm Graz 2-0 at home in the first match of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, and coach Ismail Kartal congratulated his players and staff for the victory.
''IT COULD HAVE BEEN 3 OR 4''
Speaking at a press conference held after the match at Chobani Stadium, Kartal said, "As a team, we prepared well for this match. We analyzed our opponent well. I can see that we are improving step by step by gaining better harmony each day to play our own game in training. The fact that the players put into practice on the field what we worked on and won the match this way pleased us greatly. I congratulate and commend my players. We won 2-0 tonight; it could have been 3 or 4, and we hardly gave away any chances."
''WE HAD A SPECIAL MEETING LAST NIGHT''
Kartal, emphasizing that the Champions League level is tough and that they will be on the field with the same seriousness in the second match, continued:
"We want to pass this round by going into the return leg like 0-0 with good football. I thank our fans for their support from the beginning to the end of the match. We always need their support. We are improving; we still have a long way to go. My players are willing, and I can see what we will do. We really work very well with my players. We had a special meeting last night. My players gave feedback. We talked with them about what they think and where this game is going. They gave good feedback. We had meetings about our game. Seeing these emerge step by step makes us happy."
STATEMENT ON GREENWOOD AND KANTE
Kartal spoke as follows regarding the performance of Greenwood and Kante:
"There is no need to discuss Greenwood's quality. I thank our president and our executives on this matter. This transfer was completed with great effort. He works very hard, fulfills everything we say, and is very humble. Physically, we have come to around 70 percent today. We think he can complete it in the next match. We are progressing step by step. I think he will be almost one hundred percent ready in a week. Kante has just arrived, but even in a short time, he is a smart player. He is a player who loves to work and knows how to play that position. We saw that he will be a part of our game. We gave him a task according to this opponent. He said he was one hundred percent ready. Because he showed this to us in training, we gave him a chance in the starting eleven. He also needs improvement, and I think he will rise."
''I SPOKE WITH HIM AT HALF-TIME''
Kartal, who stated that they will learn the condition of Jayden Oosterwolde, who was injured, tomorrow, concluded his words as follows:
"Kerem is a very important player for us. In the first half, he lost a few balls with good intentions. I spoke with him at half-time. I said you need to have a bit more possession of the ball and help with pressure in midfield. I said you are staying too much on the line. In the second half, he did these things. He fought selflessly. I congratulate him too."