Champions League
2024-07-30 - Fenerbahce vs Lugano
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg
Tuesday 30th July 2024 - Kick Off 6pm
Preview
His time at the very top of European club football feels like it has long been at an end, but Jose Mourinho still carries a 'cult of personality' around him. His decision to take over as manager of Fenerbahce after a successful time with Roma came with a lot of fanfare and Mourinho's European experience could be invaluable for the Turkish club.
They are going through the tougher League Path in the Champions League Qualifiers, but Fenerbahce bring back a 4-3 lead from the First Leg in Switzerland. This makes them favourites, but the manager will not have been happy with the late goal conceded that gives Lugano hope, even faint hope.
Lugano have begun their domestic campaign and two wins from two means they will be a dangerous opponent, even if Fenerbahce now have home advantage in the Second Leg. They will feel they have shown what they are capable of by winning at Basel this past weekend, but this is not an experienced club when it comes to UEFA competition and that will be a factor going against them.
Last season they played in the Europa Conference League Group Stage and Lugano were beaten in 2 of the 3 away games played. However, confidence will be taken from the fact that the exception was a 2-3 win over Besiktas in the Turkish capital and so returning here may not be as intimidating as it would have been in other circumstances.
It should be noted that Lugano have lost 5 of their last 6 away European ties and they will be tested to find the balance in this fixture. The away goals rule no longer applies so any victory would at least force Extra Time, although at some point Lugano will have to commit to the attack and cannot be nearly as open as they were defensively in the First Leg.
Jose Mourinho's experience will help his squad, but he is also in charge of a club that reached the Europa Conference League Quarter Final a few months ago and were only beaten on Penalties by eventual Winners Olympiacos. Fenerbahce have won 10 of their last 11 home European ties and this is a side that ended last season with 5 consecutive home wins in all competitions.
A tie with Lille is up next for the winner of this one, and the narrow victory last week certainly makes it feel like Fenerbahce have the edge to enter the Third Qualifying Round.
Prediction
A 2-4 win would have really eased the pressure on Fenerbahce in the Second Leg, but the late Lugano goal means there is still some work to get through for Jose Mourinho's new team.
The manager is known for being a little cautious and he will settle for a draw to take Fenerbahce through, but the Turkish club have a proud recent record in home European ties.
Winning 10 of 11 at home in UEFA competition, Fenerbahce may have the qualities to expose the defence of Lugano again and they can win by a couple of goals as they pick off the visitors late on.
The Pick :
Fenerbahce 3-1 Lugano
