Joe
In a dramatic Champions League qualifier, Fenerbahce narrowly avoided an embarrassing defeat, edging out Swiss side Lugano with a 4-3 victory but despite the victory, Jose Mourinho was not happy.
The match, which featured a remarkable 21-minute hat-trick by Edin Dzeko, marked Jose Mourinho’s debut as Fenerbahce manager.
Mourinho, 61, expressed his frustration with UEFA following the game, criticizing the use of synthetic pitches. The clash at the Stockhorn Arena nearly started disastrously for Fenerbahce, but they managed to pull through.
“We tried not to make excuses before the match, but playing quality football on a synthetic pitch is a challenge,” Mourinho said. “The ball doesn’t move as it should, players struggle to dribble, and the game’s pace slows significantly. I can’t fathom why UEFA permits Champions League matches on synthetic surfaces.”
He also questioned Lugano’s decision to use such a pitch, stating, “It’s perplexing why a good team like Lugano would choose to play on such a pitch. It wasn’t ideal for the game.”
