Domenico Tedesco: I am just getting started

In the opening match of the 27th week of the Trendyol Super League, Fenerbahçe defeated Gaziantep Football Club 4-1 at home.

Fenerbahçe manager Domenico Tedesco answered questions at the press conference held after the match. Responding to a question about the different formations in recent matches, Tedesco said that there would be no need for a system change after the international break. The Italian manager said, "I hope so. If I am not mistaken, we have played 40 matches in 6 months. We played with a 4-3-3 system in about 31 matches.

Today, we tried to return to those roots. We changed the system in 9-10 matches, and the reason for this was the injuries in the team. If you only have 1 center-back, it is difficult to play with a back four. We survived. I can say this about Nene: he has fully returned for the first time. He felt pain again at the end of the match. We will apply treatment for two weeks so that he can return and reach full fitness. Talisca's return is important for us. I hope Milan Skriniar, Edson Alvarez, and Nelson Semedo will join the team during the international break. Once these players return, there will be no need for these changes," he said.

"We talked a lot to bring life back to Samandıra"

Tedesco said the following about his conversation with the players after his meeting with the management:

"We talked a lot in these last 2 days. To bring life back to Samandıra. We were experiencing disappointment. We performed very poorly. When you perform poorly, you lose. It was a match that we could normally win easily. Actually, no match is easy. We had good memories in that stadium too. After that process, we started preparing for the next opponent. We have players with very good character in the team. I had no doubt that the team would react today. All the players are wonderful. It is normal when you cannot win. When you lose, it is part of our job that these stories are produced. Especially if you are the manager of such a big club. The truth is that we have a great relationship with the team. There is a very good relationship both from the players to the coaching staff and from the coaching staff to the players."

"I am just getting started"

Stating that they evaluate the situation after every match, Tedesco said, "I think this is normal when you are in a big team. We suffered our first defeat after 26 matches. We evaluate the situation after every match. I am just getting started. We have played 40 matches, it has been 6 months. My idea is to build something. It would be great if I could spend the summer transfer window with the team. As a coaching staff, we are working day and night. It is important to look in the mirror. I do that too. Regarding pressing high, this is our DNA. When the opponent plays with a back three, we were not sure how they would play today. They play with a back three in 70 percent of their matches. We prepared the team for both situations. Sidiki needs to press the center-back, and Musa and Nene need to press the side center-backs. Levent and Archie were late in covering those shifts. The pressure you apply up front becomes meaningless. When we are late in pressing the wing-backs, they play behind us. I told Musa and Nene to wait. We want to press high in every match. We always want to have the ball," he said.

"There is great trust in each other in the team"

When asked, "You won a cup, and then you came to the point of parting ways; how do you feel?" Tedesco replied, "I feel good. I am positive. It is normal for everything to change quickly in football. The important thing is to be able to get back up. The important thing is what we talk about among ourselves. I do not care what is written on social media. What we talk about among ourselves is important. In this sense, there is great trust. I am the same manager even when we lose. There is also the opposing side of this business. It is normal in a big team. Not just at Fenerbahçe. If you are in a club with an emotional environment, this is something I like, you have to be able to deal with it."

Regarding the yellow-navy fans, Domenico Tedesco said, "I think the fans who came here supported us very well. The foundation of our fans was here. They got excited during the goals. Half of the stadium was full, the holiday is coming, and we are in the middle of the week. Our fans always support us. It is always nice to play at home," he said.

At the end of the meeting, Tedesco also conveyed his 'Happy holidays' wishes to the press members in Turkish.

News Source: 12punto