Athletic vs. Fenerbahçe: A Key Europa League Clash
Athletic Club visits José Mourinho's Fenerbahçe at the Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium, determined to maintain their impressive streak of five consecutive victories and eleven unbeaten matches across LaLiga and the Europa League. The Basque side arrives in Turkey after traveling in a personalized plane, making its debut for this trip. Currently, Ernesto Valverde’s team occupies fourth place in LaLiga and shares the lead in their Europa League group with 13 out of 15 possible points, edging closer to the Round of 16 in a tournament whose final will be held in Bilbao on May 21.
The tight schedule has forced Valverde to rotate his squad constantly, as seen in their recent victory over Villarreal (2-0), where Nico Williams started on the bench. For this match, it is likely Iñaki Williams’ turn to get some rest. Nevertheless, the coach has a deep squad with almost two players per position, allowing him to compete on all fronts. Unai Simón, now recovered from a wrist injury, is set to play his second match since returning, while Yeray Álvarez might return to the defense.
Fenerbahçe comes into this match with an urgent need to earn points, as they sit in a modest 15th position in the Europa League. Adding to the pressure is their performance in the Turkish Super League, where they are second but six points behind leaders Galatasaray. Additionally, their morale has taken a hit following a derby loss against Besiktas (1-0) last weekend. However, they still hold a comfortable seven-point lead over the third-placed team.
Key absences for Fenerbahçe
The Turkish side faces this game with several important absences. Left-back Jayden Oosterwolde is out with a cruciate ligament injury, Mert Hakan Yandas remains sidelined, and Brazilian midfielder Fred Rodrigues is serving a suspension. Despite these setbacks, the fans’ trust in Mourinho remains high, given his track record in European competitions and the quality of his squad.
In the Europa League, Fenerbahçe has shown inconsistent form. They achieved victories against Union Saint-Gilloise (2-1) and Slavia Prague (1-2), drew with Twente and Manchester United, but suffered a heavy defeat to AZ Alkmaar (3-1), complicating their path to qualification. This match will be crucial for their hopes in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Athletic is confident in continuing their positive run and solidifying their position as one of the most competitive teams this season. With Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet in great form, and a squad that has shown depth and quality, the Lions aim to make a statement in Istanbul and move closer to the Round of 16.
