Despite the Setback, Kartal Insisted His Team's Full Focus Remains on Overturning the Tie Against Lyon in Türkiye

Fenerbahçe manager İsmail Kartal said the club was left at a disadvantage after the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) refused to postpone their league match against Gençlerbirliği, just days before a crucial Champions League playoff. Despite the setback, Kartal insisted his team's full focus remains on overturning the tie against Lyon. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the second leg against Olympique Lyon in the Champions League playoff round, Kartal said: "It will be a tough match, but we will take to the pitch to qualify for the Champions League.

Fenerbahçe has been on the rise in Europe in recent years. We want to carry that momentum into the Champions League." Kartal revealed his message to the players: "I told them to play together and be brave. I reminded them of our 18-year longing and stressed how crucial this is for the country's coefficient points.

We are focused, and both my players and I are used to playing in front of opposing fans. Assessing the opposition, he said: "We have quality and strong players. Their average age is 23, while we are a very experienced squad.

It won't be easy for either team. In the first leg we had two extra chances but failed to convert. We want to reach the Champions League by winning and make our community and country happy.

On the scheduling dispute, Kartal said: "We played the Lyon match 2.5 days after the Gençlerbirliği game, while Lyon had 7 days before facing us. Lyon will be more rested for tomorrow's match. This could happen anywhere in the world." We asked for the Gençlerbirliği match to be postponed as a club, but it was not accepted.

We were wronged as a club. But we are no longer looking at those things. We will look ahead.

We are focused on the match. Tomorrow we want to get through the tie. Addressing injuries, he added: We have absences and injuries, but this is an opportunity for players who haven't been playing.

It won't be a loss for us; everyone who takes the pitch will give their all. We came here to do our best. We have our calculations compared to Lyon.