(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Jose Mourinho One Step Away from Returning Fenerbahce to Champions League
Jose Mourinho is closing in on a historic return to the Champions League with Fenerbahce, who are just one round away from the group stage for the first time in 17 years.
Fenerbahce reached the Champions League qualifying playoffs after a stunning 5-2 victory over Feyenoord, overturning a two-goal deficit on aggregate. The Turkish giants won 6-4 on aggregate, setting up a high-stakes clash with Benfica — the club where Mourinho began his head coaching career 25 years ago.
The playoff first leg will take place in Istanbul next Wednesday, with the return leg scheduled for August 27 at Lisbon’s Stadium of Light, where Mourinho had a brief three-month stint in 2000 before going on to win the Champions League twice.
Benfica earned their spot in the playoffs after defeating Nice 2-0 at home, following a 2-0 win in France last week. The upcoming tie promises drama as Mourinho aims to guide Fenerbahce back to Europe’s elite competition.
