Fenerbahçe Stunned 3-0 at Home as Pereira and Tedesco Brace for Heated Wembley-Style Return Leg
fenerbahçe suffered a damaging 3-0 defeat in the UEFA Europa League last-16 play-off first leg as Nottingham Forest — now under Vitor Pereira — left Istanbul with a commanding advantage. The result, and the tactical notes from both benches, set up a high-stakes rematch on Feb. 26 at 3: 00 PM ET in England.
fenerbahçe left reeling after first-leg collapse
Nottingham Forest opened the tie with an early breakthrough in the 21st minute, when a quick midfield transition released a shot that beat the goalkeeper low to the left. The visitors doubled their lead before halftime with a set-piece sequence finished close-range by Igor Jesus in the 43rd minute, and Gibbs-White sealed the 3-0 win early in the second half with a composed finish from a one-on-one chance in the 50th minute. The scoreline gives the English side a clear cushion heading into the return leg.
The loss brought a spate of immediate problems for fenerbahçe. Milan Skriniar exited injured in the 23rd minute and was replaced by Çağlar Söyüncü, disrupting the hosts’ defensive rhythm. In addition to injury worries, the team picked up disciplinary blows: Oosterwolde was booked in the 69th minute and will miss the return leg through suspension, and Fred also received a late yellow that rules him out of the second leg in England.
There were some notable squad developments amid the defeat. Winter signing Sidiki Cherif earned his first start for the club, his first time in the XI since joining, while Archie Brown was named in the matchday group for the first time after a long injury layoff of 66 days. Those selections underline the coach’s search for answers even as the tie now favors the visitors.
Tactical chess: Pereira’s return and Tedesco’s flexible reply
Vitor Pereira, who has worked at the Istanbul club in previous stints, described an emotional homecoming to face his former employers and underlined his respect for fenerbahçe’s quality. He said he expects a passionate atmosphere but reminded that his team must be organized and brave — a promise that translated into a disciplined away display and three crucial goals.
On the other touchline, coach Domenico Tedesco stressed adaptability rather than fixed formations. He emphasized that player profiles matter more than market values and that a new opposition coach can change incentives for many squad members — something his side prepared for by focusing on individual roles and flexibility. Tedesco framed the match as a final, urging zero errors and readiness for multiple systems, noting that the opposition’s new coach might favor a three-man backline while his own unit must remain unpredictable.
Both managers highlighted the importance of motivation and identity. Pereira said he has fond memories of working at the Istanbul club twice before but that as the visiting coach he is there to win. Tedesco echoed that mentality, pointing to internal debates over specific midfield patterns and the need to select the best combination for the tie rather than one coach’s personal preference.
Road to the return leg and what to watch
The 3-0 deficit forces fenerbahçe into an aggressive approach in England, but suspensions and the loss of Skriniar complicate the plan. Forrest’s confidence under Pereira will be high, yet the visitors must manage the expectations that arrive with a successful away performance. The rematch on Feb. 26 at 3: 00 PM ET promises tactical adjustments from both sides: whether Pereira continues to prioritize midfield control or Tedesco deploys a different shape to exploit the suspensions will decide if the tie remains alive or is closed out.
Key items to monitor include the fitness update on Skriniar, whether Cherif keeps his place after his first start, and how both coaches handle set-piece marking and transitions — the phases that produced goals in the first meeting. With the tie far from mathematically over but practically tilted toward Nottingham, the return leg is set to be one of the more charged European nights of the week.
