Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Fenerbahce
Match Time & Date:
30/07/2024
19:00
Prediction: 2-1
Lugano
Fenerbahce will be aiming to clinch their spot in the Champions League third qualifying round when they face Lugano at Ulker Stadium Sukru Saracoglu in the return leg. Fenerbahce won the first leg 4-3, with veteran Edin Dzeko scoring a hat-trick and the Turks are now on a quest to defend their slim lead. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team.
The Swiss club, on the other hand, face an uphill task in the reverse fixture as they need to overcome a one-goal deficit in Istanbul. As Lugano need to adopt yet another attack-minded approach, we predict that Fenerbahce will have a number of chances to score on the break. Anyhow, yet another interesting game is on the cards. Both Cimignani and Bottani are pushing for recalls after the duo was rested in a 2-1 win over Basel at the weekend.
Highlighted Player (Miha Zajc):
Born in Sempeter pri Gorici, Slovenia, Miha Zajc started his career in Interblock, recording only five appearances before moving to NK Olimpia on a loan deal. In season 2013/14, the attacking midfielder made 13 appearances in the Slovenian Prva Liga, netting 5 goas in the process.
After yet another loan deal, now with Celje, Miha Zajc moved to NK Olimpia on a permanent deal. The player can perform as an attacking midfielder and as a central midfielder. During his 81 appearances for NK Olimpia, Zajc scored 20 goals and recorded 12 assists, which was good enough for the Empoli officials to sign the 24-year-old for about €1.7 million.
In 2017/18, Zajc helped Empoli win Serie B with 8 goals and 14 assists. Thanks to his good performances, he made his debut for Slovenia national team in March 2016 and has played in 5 games so far, with one goal on his tally.
Highlighted Team (Fenerbahce):
Fenerbahce are one of the biggest football clubs in Turkey. The Kanaryalar were founded on 3 May, 1907 as Fenerbahce Futbol Kulubu. Fener won their first domestic trophy in 1959 and they quickly established themselves as one of the main forces in Turkish football.
In 2014 Fenerbahce clinched their 19th league title, with the team finishing the season nine points clear of Besiktas. Galatasaray are considered Fener’s bitterest rivals and the two teams face each other in Kitalar Arasi Derbi. The rivalry between the clubs started back in 1934, when a friendly between the two teams was abandoned due to riots. Besiktas are regarded as Fenerbahce’s big rivals as well.
The likes of Mujdat Yetkiner, Zeki Riza Sporel, Aykut Kocaman, Emre Belozoglu, Alex, Nicolas Anelka, Diego Lugano, Roberto Carlos and Dirk Kuyt are famous footballers who played for the club in the past. The Kanaryalar play their home games at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, the venue that was opened in 1908. Fener’s home kits are navy blue and yellow.
