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Fenerbahçe coach dismisses Asensio rumors, focuses on Champions League tie
🇹🇷 Turkey /Sports

Fenerbahçe coach dismisses Asensio rumors, focuses on Champions League tie

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Fenerbahçe defeated Gornik Zabrze 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round match.
  • Coach İsmail Kartal expressed respect for the opponent but confidence in his team's ability to advance through good football.
  • Kartal also commented on the foreign player rule, stating his opinion that it would be beneficial for all clubs if implemented.

Fenerbahçe secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Gornik Zabrze in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie. The Turkish club now travels to Poland for the return match, holding a slim advantage.

We are very concentrated. We also watched our opponent's first league match. We respect our opponent. We have a small advantage, but without taking refuge behind it, we want to pass the round deservedly with good football.

— İsmail KartalSpeaking about the upcoming second leg match.

Ahead of the game in Poland, head coach İsmail Kartal addressed the media, emphasizing his team's focus and respect for their opponent. "We are very concentrated. We also watched our opponent's first league match. We respect our opponent. We have a small advantage, but without taking refuge behind it, we want to pass the round deservedly with good football," Kartal stated.

When asked about potential transfer rumors, specifically regarding Marco Asensio, Kartal dismissed them with amusement. "I laugh a lot at these things. We are focused on our own business. People are looking for different things in different places. I am a sincere person. There is no problem between me and Asensio. There is no problem between me and any player. My players strive to show high performance on the field. Hopefully, this year we will win all the cups with these players I am proud of," he said.

I laugh a lot at these things. We are focused on our own business. People are looking for different things in different places. I am a sincere person. There is no problem between me and Asensio. There is no problem between me and any player. My players strive to show high performance on the field. Hopefully, this year we will win all the cups with these players I am proud of.

— İsmail KartalResponding to questions about Marco Asensio and player relations.

Kartal also shared his thoughts on the potential foreign player rule, stating, "I expressed my opinion. I said it would be good for all clubs if it were implemented." He added that there is healthy competition within the squad and that the players have embraced the team's playing philosophy, expressing confidence in achieving success this season.

I expressed my opinion. I said it would be good for all clubs if it were implemented.

— İsmail KartalCommenting on the foreign player rule.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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