Fenerbahce’s lacklustre performance: how did the fans or coach İsmail Kartal react to the loss against Slavia?

Fenerbahce didn’t show any significant performance at home, losing to Slavia Prague 2:3. The Turkish giant had only three serious chances in the match, but managed to score twice through Ales Mandous.

The loss is certainly a failure for Fenerbahce Istanbul, although their chances are not lost yet. Ferdi Kadioglu’s lucky goal in the eighty-third minute still gives the Turkish side hope of progression.

It will be very difficult for İsmail Kartal’s charges in Eden, but football is football and a one-goal difference doesn’t have to mean anything. How did the fans and coach Kartal react to the opening game of the knockout part of the EKL?

The hot-blooded Fenerbahce fans could not fill the whole stadium. However, even though there were between 15 and 20 thousand of them in the stadium, they created a very loud crowd. Then, during the thanksgiving, the supporters of the Turkish giant let out a really loud whistle.

According to some sources, a group of around 20 Slavic fans were even attacked during the night and some were allegedly stabbed. Anyway, this information is not completely confirmed.

Reaction of Kartal’s coach and Fenerbahce fans

The home coach spoke briefly to the club website about the lost match. He pointed out that nothing is still lost and that his team is losing due to a large number of absences.

“It was an even match. But I said it at the press conference, this team (Slavia) is good at passing, can play on the counterattack, runs a lot and is strong in duels. They took their chances and we didn’t convert ours. We lost 2: 3, but we believe we can still advance. We are not giving up and we have to prepare for the rematch,” Kartal said in an interview with the club website.

Furthermore, the 60-year-old coach had to defend why he played Kadioglu at left-back. Kartal said he had no left-back available and therefore could not play Ferdi more up top, in a better and more attacking position. He also mentioned that if Filip Novak had been healthy, he would have been the one to start at left-back.

But fans on social media were not so calm. They criticized their favorite team. The only thing they were practically happy about was the performance of only 16-year-old Arda Güler.

Sources: Fenerbahce Istanbul, UEFA, Football Report