The Daily Star Ireland
The Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium will be the stage on October 2nd as Fenerbahçe host Nice in a Europa League clash that carries high stakes for both sides. With home advantage and a strong domestic run behind them, the Turkish giants aim to seize control of their group, while Nice arrive desperate to reverse a faltering start to their European campaign.
Fenerbahçe’s Steady Momentum
İsmail Kartal’s men head into this fixture on the back of a solid run in the Super Lig, where they’ve remained unbeaten in their last three outings. A 1-1 draw away to Kasimpasa showcased their resilience, while earlier performances highlighted their ability to blend structure with creativity. Veteran striker Edin Džeko continues to lead from the front, supported by the flair of rising star Arda Güler.
Fenerbahçe’s Europa League opener built on that consistency, giving them confidence to take full advantage of their home crowd in Istanbul. With Fred and İsmail Yüksek forming a reliable double pivot in midfield, Kartal’s side has shown a capacity to control games and launch incisive attacks through wide areas.
Nice’s Struggles and Search for Form
Nice arrive in Turkey under pressure to spark life into their season. Francesco Farioli’s side has endured a difficult run in Ligue 1, with back-to-back defeats—1-4 to Brest and 1-3 against Le Havre—leaving questions about their defensive discipline. Despite this, there have been glimmers of quality from attackers Jérémie Boga and Gaëtan Laborde, who remain capable of troubling defenses when given space.
Farioli’s familiarity with Turkish football, from his time as an assistant at Alanyaspor, adds intrigue to the tactical duel. He will be looking for his players to stay compact, absorb pressure, and hit Fenerbahçe on the counter through the pace and creativity of Khephren Thuram and the wide attackers.
Tactical Battle and Prediction
The key to this match may lie in the midfield battle. Fenerbahçe will seek to dictate tempo with their central pairing, while Nice will count on Thuram’s dynamism to break up play and transition quickly. Set pieces could also prove decisive, as both sides have shown defensive vulnerabilities in aerial situations.
Expect Fenerbahçe to start aggressively, pressing high to pin Nice deep and force mistakes, while the French side will likely adopt a pragmatic approach, looking for opportunities to break forward with speed.
Given current form and squad balance, the advantage leans toward the hosts. A 2-1 victory for Fenerbahçe seems a fair prediction, with Džeko and Güler tipped to play decisive roles. Nice, however, could still find a goal on the break, keeping the contest alive until the final whistle.
Prediction: Fenerbahçe 3 – 0 Nice
