Domenico Tedesco opened his Istanbul chapter with a bright win, but the team then seemed to lose tempo. Under the 40-year-old specialist, "Fenerbahçe" have won only one of four matches, with two draws and a defeat in Europe. Against the backdrop of high expectations after replacing José Mourinho, this trajectory looks modest and already calls for targeted solutions in both the game plan and the squad.
A New Course After Mourinho
Tedesco's appointment promised fresh ideas: more energetic pressing, compact spacing between the lines, and quick ball progression into the final third. However, any rebuild inevitably comes with costs. The team is assimilating new principles, and the fluctuations in quality from match to match indicate incomplete synchronization between the lines and an insufficient number of automatisms in positional attacks.
An Early Surge and a Blurred Outline
The start was ideal — 1–0 against "Trabzonspor". Then came the stumbles: 2–2 with "Alanyaspor" and 1–1 with "Kasımpaşa". Overall under Tedesco — 1 win, 2 draws and 1 defeat; goals 5–6. The team creates chances but loses concentration in key spells — especially after scoring, when they need to maintain both rhythm and pressing quality.
A European Test of Resilience
In the first round of the Europa League group stage, "Dinamo (Zagreb)" proved stronger at home — 3–1. Familiar issues surfaced: vulnerability to the opponent's quick transitions, a less-than-ideal rest-defense structure, and too many yards between the holding zone and the back line. In such matches the cost of an error rises, and "Fenerbahçe" do not always keep the necessary compactness and discipline.
Game Balance: Pressing Present, Control Lacking
The coach's ideas are visible: active ball recoveries in the middle third, attempts to reach the box quickly via vertical passes. But the systemization suffers — the quality of the first pass under pressure is lacking, and set-piece routines do not provide a consistent edge. To progress, the connections between the flanks and the No. 10 must be sharper, and rotation should be calibrated to sustain intensity without losing structure.
The Table and the Immediate Crossroads
In the Süper Lig, "Fenerbahçe" sit third, six points behind leaders "Galatasaray". On September 28, the Istanbul side host "Antalyaspor" — a timely chance to seize the initiative in the season and restore confidence through organized pressing, a reliable defensive phase, and chance conversion. For Tedesco this is not just another round, but a point at which the project can gain the acceleration it needs.
