Mourinho is helpless, Fenerbahce is knocked out of the Champions League by Benfica

Jose Mourinho sadly watched Fenerbahce bow to Benfica with a score of 0-1, once again losing his dream of participating in the group stage of the Champions League.

At the Stadium of Light (Estadio da Luz) in the capital Lisbon, Benfica continued their Champions League dream, while Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce had to face a bitter reality.

Fenerbahce failed to create any breakthroughs. Photo: FSK

For the second consecutive season, Fenerbahce were blocked right at the threshold of the group stage, thereby extending their 17-year absence from the most prestigious European football club competition.

Kerem Akturkoglu's only goal in the 35th minute helped home team Benfica win 1-0, ending the play-off series with a minimal but certain aggregate score.

Notably, Akturkoglu is the target that Mourinho wants to bring to Fenerbahce but has not been successful.

What makes this defeat even more painful is the context surrounding Mourinho.

Mourinho was helpless on his return to the Stadium of Light. Photo: FSK

Fenerbahce have spent big in two consecutive summers, bringing in big names and giving the "Special One" full authority to build their playing style.

However, after falling to Lille right from the third qualifying round of the 2024/25 season, the Turkish team continued to repeat the old scenario.

This time, against Benfica - an experienced opponent but not necessarily superior in terms of strength - Mourinho was still helpless.

Fenerbahce failed to score a goal for 180 minutes. In Istanbul, Mourinho's team missed a chance when the opponent was down a man.

In Lisbon, in the decisive match, they almost did not create any breakthrough. When a change was needed, Mourinho could not find any new formula.

Benfica deserved to enter the Champions League group stage. Photo: SLB

The style of play that focuses on tight defense and waiting for counterattacks no longer creates surprises, while expected signings remain silent.

Once again, the question of Mourinho's lack of ideas resounds. Once a master of the Champions League, he has now gone two seasons in a row without being able to take Fenerbahce to the group stage.

The Turkish side's outdated tactics make them more suited to the Europa League than Europe's biggest stage.

Seemingly anticipating elimination, Mourinho defended himself before the ball rolled in Lisbon, criticizing the Fenerbahce board. “If the Champions League was the club’s main objective, there should have been more moves in the transfer window.”

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/mourinho-het-bai-fenerbahce-thua-benfica-o-cup-c1-2436933.html