The Europa League Round of 16 first-leg matches delivered shocking results, with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe narrowly avoiding disaster against Rangers, while Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles continued with a dismal performance against AZ Alkmaar. Mourinho, already facing off-field troubles, saw his side suffer a 3-1 home defeat, while Spurs failed to register any real attacking threat in a 1-0 loss.
Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe Struggles Amid Off-Field Turmoil
Jose Mourinho has been at the center of controversy in recent weeks, facing accusations of racism and receiving a four-match suspension in the Turkish league. With the possibility of a six-month ban looming, the Portuguese manager had hoped for a positive performance from his Fenerbahçe squad. Instead, his team barely held on in a frustrating night at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
If not for VAR, the result could have been even more embarrassing for Fenerbahçe. Rangers dominated much of the game, with Nigerian forward Cyriel Dessers finding the net twice—only for both goals to be ruled out for the slimmest of offside margins. Despite their misfortunes, the Scottish side secured a crucial 3-1 win, leaving Fenerbahçe with a mountain to climb in the second leg at Ibrox.
Rangers took the lead early in the match, as Dessers capitalized on a defensive mistake, rounded the goalkeeper, and fired towards an empty net. Defender Caglar Soyuncu attempted a clearance, but goal-line technology confirmed that the ball had crossed, giving Rangers a deserved lead.
Rangers rampant in Istanbul
Bodø/Glimt stun OlympiacosWhich performance was best? ️#UELPOTW
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 7, 2025
Fenerbahçe briefly found hope when Alexander Djiku, who replaced the injured Soyuncu in the first half, executed a stunning overhead kick to level the score at 1-1. However, that was the highlight of their night, as Rangers continued to pile on the pressure.
Before halftime, Vaclav Cerny restored Rangers’ advantage, making it 2-1. Dessers, already frustrated after having two goals ruled out, played a crucial role in the Scottish side’s third goal late in the second half. His relentless pressing led to another defensive mistake, allowing Cerny to grab his second goal of the night and seal a massive 3-1 win for Rangers.
Despite featuring key players like Dusan Tadic and Filip Kostic, Fenerbahçe struggled to impose themselves. Barry Ferguson, who took over as Rangers’ manager in late February, has already made a significant impact, setting his team up perfectly for the second leg at Ibrox.
Tottenham’s Europa League Hopes Hang in the Balance
Meanwhile, in London, Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles continued with a lackluster 1-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar. The Premier League side failed to register any real attacking threat, managing just one shot on target throughout the entire game.
Troy Parrott, once tipped as Harry Kane’s long-term successor at Spurs, played a decisive role in the only goal of the match. The former Tottenham striker, who was sold to AZ for €4 million after a series of loan spells, saw his deflected shot fall perfectly for Sweden’s rising star Lucas Bergvall, who fired home in the 18th minute.
Despite falling behind early, Tottenham lacked any real urgency. Their attack, led by Richarlison and Son Heung-min, failed to break down a disciplined AZ defense. Ange Postecoglou’s side struggled in midfield, with Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur unable to dictate the tempo.
Defensively, Spurs were not overly troubled, but their failure to create clear-cut chances left them frustrated. The 1-0 deficit is not insurmountable heading into the return leg in North London, but Tottenham will need a drastic improvement if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.
Other Europa League Round of 16 Results
Elsewhere in the Europa League, several teams made significant statements in their first-leg ties:
- FCSB 1-3 Lyon: Nicolas Tagliafico opened the scoring for Lyon in the 30th minute before Seko Fofana sealed the victory with two late goals, giving the French side a comfortable advantage.
- Real Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United: Joshua Zirkzee gave United the lead in the 58th minute, but Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty to level the score, leaving the tie finely poised heading into the second leg.
- Ajax vs. Eintracht Frankfurt, Bodo vs. Olympiacos, Plzen vs. Lazio, and Roma vs. Athletic Bilbao were still in progress at the time of writing.
What’s Next?
The second-leg fixtures will take place next week, with several teams needing to overturn deficits to keep their Europa League hopes alive. For Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe, the challenge will be daunting as they travel to Ibrox, where Rangers will be confident of finishing the job.
Tottenham, on the other hand, must show much more attacking intent in the return leg at home if they are to avoid yet another disappointing European exit. With their Premier League campaign faltering, their Europa League run remains their best chance of securing silverware this season.
As the road to the final in Dublin continues, all eyes will be on these teams to see who rises to the challenge and who falls short in their pursuit of European glory.
READ NEXT:
