Fenerbahçe Coach Kartal: 'If We Lose With 5 New Players, There's a Problem'

Fenerbahçe coach İsmail Kartal expressed disappointment after his team's unexpected 2-1 loss to Gençlerbirliği in the opening week of the Trendyol Super Lig. The team had taken a 1-0 lead but conceded two goals, leading to a defeat that Kartal described as "not expected."

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If you cannot give chances to some of your players and rest others, how far can you go with the same players?

Kartal pointed to a self-inflicted error that led to the first goal and a lack of offensive productivity in the second half. He also mentioned two penalty calls that he felt were not given in Fenerbahçe's favor, though he refrained from further comment on the refereeing. "We are sorry. We apologize to our fans," Kartal stated, acknowledging the team's failure to meet expectations.

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If Fenerbahçe loses by playing 5 new players, then there is a problem.

The coach also raised concerns about player rotation ahead of a crucial Champions League match. "If you cannot give chances to some of your players and rest others, how far can you go with the same players?" he questioned. Kartal emphasized that if Fenerbahçe loses with new players on the field, "then there is a problem." He acknowledged that while they had more chances in the second half, they failed to convert them, resulting in the loss.

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We are sorry. We apologize to our fans.