Vedat Muriqi praises Lukaku, eyes Champions League progress after Lyon draw

Fenerbahçe striker Vedat Muriqi reflected on the team's 1-1 draw against Olympique Lyon in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie. Muriqi, who played 80 minutes in the match, expressed contentment with the team's effort and optimism for the return leg in France. He thanked the fans for their support, acknowledging that conceding a goal from a half-chance in the first half was difficult but praised the team's response.

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We gave up a goal from half a chance in the first half. These things happen in football. We started the second half well. Greenwood's beautiful goal equalized, and control shifted to us. Towards the end, the opponent waited very deep, and they sought a counter-attack goal, but we prevented that.

"We gave up a goal from half a chance in the first half. These things happen in football," Muriqi stated. "We started the second half well. Greenwood's beautiful goal equalized, and control shifted to us. Towards the end, the opponent waited very deep, and they sought a counter-attack goal, but we prevented that."

Muriqi acknowledged that while a win would have been preferable for the second leg, the draw is still a positive outcome. "We would have liked to go into the second match with an advantage with a good score, but it didn't happen. We are waiting for our fans in France. Hopefully, we want to win in France and let them hear the Champions League music we miss," he said.

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We would have liked to go into the second match with an advantage with a good score, but it didn't happen. We are waiting for our fans in France. Hopefully, we want to win in France and let them hear the Champions League music we miss.

Discussing his own return from injury, Muriqi shared his challenging start to the season. "I'm a new transfer, and I started in the worst possible way. I tore my hamstring in the second training session. I returned much earlier than expected. Thanks to everyone who contributed. The entire staff mobilized. Thanks to them, I played 80 minutes," he explained. He remains confident about scoring, stating, "I need to score, and I know it. People who know me know that my goal is not just to score but to be useful to the team. It's enough for me if I helped the team; if I score, I'll be twice as happy. The goals will come."

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I'm a new transfer, and I started in the worst possible way. I tore my hamstring in the second training session. I returned much earlier than expected. Thanks to everyone who contributed. The entire staff mobilized. Thanks to them, I played 80 minutes.

Muriqi also expressed enthusiasm for the arrival of Romelu Lukaku. "We are a very, very good team. World star Lukaku has arrived. I will learn a lot from him. We will complement each other. He is also a very good-hearted person. Fenerbahçe is a quality team in every position," he commented. He stressed the importance of focusing on the main goals: qualifying for the Champions League and winning the league title.

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I need to score, and I know it. People who know me know that my goal is not just to score but to be useful to the team. It's enough for me if I helped the team; if I score, I'll be twice as happy. The goals will come.