UEL: Fenerbahce Edge Slavia Prague 2-1 in Europa League Thriller

Mourinho's Fenerbahce Come from Behind to Defeat Slavia Prague

The intensity of the match was evident in the heated exchanges that took place before the halftime break...

Fenerbahce secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague in the UEFA Europa League, thanks to a late winner from Youssef En-Nesyri.

Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague in the UEFA Europa League, thanks to a late winner. This triumph marked only the second time Slavia Prague had suffered defeat in seven encounters against Turkish opposition.

The hosts made a blistering start to the match, taking the lead inside seven minutes. Tomas Chory showcased his clinical finishing skills, applying a precise first-time finish to Lukas Provod's low cross. This strike marked Chory's 10th goal across all competitions this season, highlighting his impressive form.

Slavia Prague maintained their relentless pressure, and Dominik Livakovic was called upon to make a series of routine saves. The Fenerbahce goalkeeper denied Jan Boril and David Doudera in quick succession, as the hosts continued to pour forward in search of further scoring opportunities.

Fenerbahce posed a threat of their own, with Tomas Holes forced to intervene at the last moment to prevent Edin Dzeko from getting a clear shot on goal. The Turkish side's counter-attacking prowess was on full display, as they rapidly transitioned from defense to offense.

Slavia Prague, however, continued to cause problems for Fenerbahce with their aerial threat, delivering a series of high-quality crosses into the box. Unfortunately for the hosts, neither David Doudera nor Tomas Chory could capitalize on these opportunities, with both players spurning chances to score. This profligacy ultimately proved costly, as Fenerbahce punished Slavia's wastefulness in the 35th minute. A swift counter-attacking move culminated in Edin Dzeko drifting inside Jan Boril and unleashing a powerful strike that flew past Antonin Kinsky's outstretched hand.

Lukas Provod thought he had regained the lead for Slavia Prague with a well-placed volley that sneaked inside the post. However, his joy was short-lived, as the goal was disallowed due to Tomas Chory being in an offside position.

The intensity of the match was evident in the heated exchanges that took place before the halftime break. This competitiveness carried over into the second half, with Slavia Prague picking up two yellow cards within a 10-minute span following the restart.

The score remained level, with David Doudera squandering a prime opportunity to put his side ahead. Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho responded by introducing Irfan Kahveci and Youssef En-Nesyri in the 78th minute, seeking a decisive goal. His tactical switch paid dividends just seven minutes later, as En-Nesyri was set up by Dusan Tadic and showcased his clinical finishing skills. Despite goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky getting a touch on the shot, En-Nesyri's effort proved too powerful, securing a 2-1 lead for Fenerbahce.

Slavia Prague manager Jindrich Trpisovsky swiftly responded to Fenerbahce's goal by making a double substitution, but his team was unable to capitalize on the changes. Despite their efforts, Slavia Prague was ultimately unable to find the equalizer, succumbing to their third consecutive Europa League defeat. This loss leaves them outside the play-off places, adding pressure to their European campaign.

In stark contrast, Fenerbahce's victory marked a welcome return to winning ways in European competition, ending a three-game winless streak. This triumph propelled them to 15th place in the standings, and they now sit just two points adrift of the automatic qualification spots. The win provides a significant boost to Fenerbahce's Europa League ambitions, as they seek to secure a spot in the knockout stages.