Lyon 2-1 Away in the Second Leg of Their UEFA Champions League Play-off Tie, Advancing to the Group Stage With a 3-2 Aggregate Victory

The Turkish side had drawn the first leg 1-1 at home. "We could have gotten a better result in the first match, in front of our own fans, at home." I said these matches are two-legged. If we had been fresher in that match, it could have been different.

Those who wanted to understand understood; those who didn't want to understand lynched us. It doesn't matter. We work very hard.

We knew we could reach the Champions League with this team. We were very relaxed. We played without fear, courageously, Kartal told the broadcaster after the match.

"At the start of the second half, there were 3-4 clear chances. There was a penalty; if it had been given, the match would have been over. Qualifying for the Champions League by winning here after many years is a source of pride.

It was very important for the Fenerbahçe community and Turkish football. It will give us motivation in the economy and the championship race in the league. Kartal also addressed his players' trust in him: "Day and night, I think about how to make Fenerbahçe play better football.

When we weren't working, I sent my colleagues abroad to reset and renew ourselves. The players believe in and trust us. We achieved this together.

The players see the innovations in training, that we are not behind world football. They see that we are ready as a team. There are no problems between us and the players, and they respect us greatly.

I congratulate my players. He also hit back at critics: Criticism is fine, but constant negative talk, talking about things that didn't happen as if they did, efforts to discredit us... I have never talked about any of my friends on television. Tomorrow they could be here too.

I have my own world and I try to live honestly, with honor. You don't support Fenerbahçe by lynching and discrediting me. Give support.

Tomorrow you will be here. Sometimes there is overly harsh criticism, and I am saddened especially when I hear it from our former footballer friends and brothers. If they were by my side, what would they feel if they heard this?

Health is what matters, what can we do? This is our profession.