Fenerbahçe settles for a draw against Lyon at Kadıköy

In the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round, Fenerbahçe drew 1-1 with Olympique Lyonnais at Kadıköy. In the match played at Chobani Stadium, the yellow-navies equalized the score with a goal from Mason Greenwood at the beginning of the second half and carried their qualification hopes to the return leg in France.

In a balanced match, the French side took the lead with a goal from Lois Openda. Rising in the six-yard box to meet a cross from Corentin Tolisso on the right wing, Openda beat goalkeeper Ederson Moraes with a header.

Fenerbahçe started the second half quickly. In the 47th minute, Mason Greenwood, who met the ball following a pass from Kerem Aktürkoğlu, took Moussa Niakhate out of the play with a stylish move. The English footballer sent the ball into the far corner of the net with a powerful and precise shot from the right side of the penalty area, bringing the score to 1-1.

With this result, the side that will advance in the tie will be determined in the return leg to be played in France on Wednesday, August 26. The second match between Olympique Lyonnais and Fenerbahçe will start at 22:00 TSI. Before the return leg, the yellow-navies will host Konyaspor on August 22; Lyon will travel to face Toulouse on the same date.

7 CHANGES TO THE SQUAD FROM KARTAL

Fenerbahçe Manager İsmail Kartal made 7 changes to the starting 11 compared to the league match against Gençlerbirliği. Tarık Çetin, Mert Müldür, Levent Mercan, İsmail Yüksek, İrfan Can Kahveci, Marco Asensio, and Oğuz Aydın started on the bench.

Kartal fielded Ederson Moraes, Nelson Semedo, Archie Brown, N’Golo Kante, Mason Greenwood, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, and Vedat Muriqi in the starting 11. While Nelson Semedo, Milan Skriniar, Nathan Ake, and Archie Brown served in defense, N’Golo Kante and Matteo Guendouzi were in midfield. Greenwood, Anderson Talisca, and Kerem Aktürkoğlu played in the attacking line, while Vedat Muriqi played up front.

The yellow-navies' star signing Romelu Lukaku was added to the UEFA list 24 hours before the match and was included in the match squad for the first time in a Fenerbahçe jersey. The Belgian footballer entered the game in the 82nd minute, replacing Vedat Muriqi.

Marco Asensio also started the match among the substitutes. Following intense demand from the stands, the Spanish footballer was brought into the game in the 73rd minute, replacing Anderson Talisca. Goalkeeper Ederson Moraes played his first official match of the season against Lyon.

Mert Günok and Çağlar Söyüncü, who have injuries, were not included in the Fenerbahçe match squad. Jayden Oosterwolde, who was not on the UEFA list due to his injury, was also unable to join his team against Lyon.

News Source: 12punto