Europa League: Osayi-Samuel confident Fenerbahce can overcome Rangers to reach quarterfinals

By Wale Mustapha

Nigerian defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is confident that his Fenerbahce side can still qualify for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League despite their 3-1 loss to Rangers in the first leg of the Round of 16 last week.

Fenerbahce will face Rangers at Ibrox on Thursday in the second leg, where they need to score at least three goals without conceding to progress to the next round.

Osayi-Samuel, who missed the first leg due to suspension, believes the task is achievable. He highlighted that Fenerbahce had created numerous chances in the first leg and must replicate that performance in the return fixture.

“As a team, we are aware of how important tomorrow night’s match is. When we analysed the first game, we created a lot of chances, and if we repeat that tomorrow night, if we create the same chances again, we can definitely get the result we want,” Osayi-Samuel said on the club’s official website.

He acknowledged the threat Rangers will pose with their counterattacks but emphasized that Fenerbahce must dominate possession and avoid losing the ball to have a chance of advancing.

“We know Rangers will come at us with counterattacks, but we have to keep the ball and not lose it. That way, we can have a chance to win,” he added.