İsmail Kartal evaluates the Sturm Graz victory: We could have won by a larger margin

Fenerbahçe manager İsmail Kartal evaluated his team's performance after their 2-0 victory over Sturm Graz in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

Kartal stated that they had prepared well for their opponent and that the planned game plan was largely implemented on the pitch. The experienced manager pointed out that the tie is a two-legged affair and spoke cautiously about the return match.

İsmail Kartal said, "We worked very hard on Sturm Graz and analyzed them very well. As a team, we were very happy that they did what we wanted on the pitch. It is a two-stage match; we won 2-0, but Champions League matches are difficult. We will prepare for the second match as if it were 0-0 and we want to advance by playing with the same seriousness."

Emphasizing that he is pleased with the tactical discipline of the yellow-navy team, Kartal expressed that the team's game continues to improve. Commenting on the victory, Kartal said, "We are improving, but we still have a long way to go. It could have ended 4-0; we finished without conceding a chance, and I am very happy in that sense."

PLAYER PERFORMANCES AND THE RETURN LEG PLAN

Kartal expressed his satisfaction with the performances of Mason Greenwood and Marco Asensio. Opening a separate parenthesis for Greenwood's goal, Kartal stated that the team's physical level is gradually rising and noted that his players are currently at around 75-80 percent capacity.

Touching on the harmony in midfield, Kartal stated that with the arrival of N'Golo Kante, they have established a good balance in the center alongside Matteo Guendouizi. Expressing his satisfaction with the ball recovery time, Kartal noted that the team pushed the opponent back by increasing the speed of the ball.

Stating that Vedat Muriqi is injured and Cheriff is not yet fully ready, Kartal said regarding Anderson Talisca, "He is fulfilling the task we gave him properly. We will continue according to developments. We will evaluate him in some way as well."

Explaining that they held a special meeting with the players before the match, Kartal said he was pleased with how the tactical work was reflected on the pitch. Stating that Jayden Oosterwolde's injury status will be clarified tomorrow, Kartal also praised Kerem's selfless effort in the second half.