Fenerbahçe secures play-off spot in draw: Points tally reaches 10

In the 8th and final week of the UEFA Europa League, Fenerbahçe faced Danish representative Midtjylland away from home.

Although Fenerbahçe started the match played at Arena Herning with pressure and created consecutive chances in the opponent's half, it was the Danish side that found the goal.

In the 27th minute, Ousmane Diao scored with a header from Aral Şimşir's cross, putting Midtjylland 1-0 ahead.

The Yellow-Navies responded in the 39th minute. En-Nesyri, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper following a through ball from Dzeko, sent the ball into the net with a chip shot to level the score at 1-1.

The first half of the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Fenerbahçe started the second half with a goal. Edin Dzeko met a cross from Sebastian Szymanski from the left wing at the near post and put the ball into the net, giving his team a 2-1 lead.

Midtjylland equalized in the 86th minute. A shot by Valdemar Byskov deflected off Fred and went into the net, bringing the score to 2-2.

SECURED THE PLAY-OFF TICKET

There were no more goals in the remainder of the match, and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

With this result, Fenerbahçe reached 10 points and finished the league phase in 24th place, securing their spot in the play-off round.

Midtjylland, who reached 11 points, also secured a play-off ticket.

FENERBAHÇE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR SALVATORE FOTİ EVALUATED THE MATCH RESULT

In Fenerbahçe, which advanced to the last 24 by drawing 2-2 away against Danish side Midtjylland in the final week of the UEFA Europa League, technical director Salvatore Foti stated that they deserved to advance to the next round.

Speaking at the press conference held after the match played at MCH Arena, Foti expressed that they went into a match they knew would be difficult.

Emphasizing that they were very effective in the first half, Foti said, "We knew it would be a difficult match for us because we came with few players. We had a very good first half; we were very good with the ball. We made mistakes in our passing choices in the final 20 meters. We conceded the goal during our best period, but we showed a very good reaction. We suffered in the second half because it was difficult to make substitutions. Players who hadn't played for a long time, like İsmail and Mert Hakan, played. Looking at the 8-match process, I think we deserved to qualify."

Stating that the new additions to the team will help them significantly in the future stages, Foti continued:

"Those who have newly joined the team will definitely help us. We experienced significant numerical shortages in the Lyon match and today. Especially our new transfers will help us. Our coach will make a list again. As for the goal, I can say this: if there is one thing I have learned from our coach, it is to look at it match by match, step by step. It is to think match by match, not long-term. At the end of 8 tough matches, we managed to advance to the next round deservedly. We played very difficult matches, but I think we deserved to pass the round."

Explaining that the final minutes of the match were difficult for them, Foti stated, "The final minutes of the match were difficult moments; the team was very tired. We had difficult moments on the pitch, and when the opponent equalized, we had to look at the other matches as well. It wasn't easy. We fought to win. It ended 2-2 and carried us to the next round, so we are happy."

Foti concluded his remarks by answering a question about which match he enjoyed more, the Göztepe match or the Midtjylland match:

"First of all, I must state that this is actually a situation I am accustomed to. It is not the first time I have been in charge of the team. I can say it was more enjoyable due to the beautiful atmosphere created by the fans in the Göztepe match at home. Our coach will return now, and I will take my place."