So Annoyed With Turkey's Madia, Mourinho Asks TV Experts To Solve Left-back Crisis

Jose Mourinho challenged Turkish media to solve the injury storm problem at Fenerbahce (Instagram/@fenerbahce).

JAKARTA - Fenerbahce coach, Jose Mourinho, has asked experts in Turkish media to help resolve the left-back dilemma for the next Europa League match against Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) which is scheduled for January 24, 2025.

The Turkish team was not strengthened by the injured left-back Jayden Oosterwolde and Mert Muldur, who were suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the 0-2 home defeat in the Europa League against Athletic Bilbao, 11 December 2024.

"If you look at the next (Erupa League) match against Lyon, Muldur is suspended, who will play left-back?"

"If any of you can help me, if there is a TV expert who can help me. Who will play as a left back?", said Mourinho.

Fenerbahce, who has won twice and lost twice to six Europa League games, hopes to win the Super Lig (Super Turkey League) title this season for the first time since 2014.

The 0-1 defeat in the league on December 7, 2024 when they travel to Besiktas headquarters has ended five previous consecutive victories.

Fenerbahce could then rise again after beating Istanbul Baskasehir 3-1 on December 15, 2024.

Now, they are in second place in the standings with a collection of 35 points from 15 matches, six points adrift of Galatasaray at the top.

Currently, Mourinho is clearly frustrated by the dilemma of player selection given the storm of injuries he experienced.

No wonder he was annoyed with the local Turkish media who always pressed him without knowing the reality inside the club.

For this reason, Mourinho challenged the Turkish local media crew back to provide a solution related to the player crisis they are currently suffering from.

"Sometimes you (media) see something without knowing the reality well. I don't know because unfortunately I can only speak a few broken words in Turkish."

"We as a club give you the right information to understand the situation. I want all my players to be available."

"You see how difficult it is for us. We don't have a single midfielder on the bench (against Athletic Bilbao)," Mourinho quipped the media and revealed about the last defeat in the Europa League.

Meanwhile, Mourinho still rules out recruiting players in the January 2025 exchange to overcome the crisis of player availability.

"I'm happy with my players. I won't sacrifice my players. Don't expect me to come here and say I want to have a better player."

"I want Jayden Oosterwolde to be available because for us it is very difficult (without him). But don't worry, we will qualify (in the Europa League)."

"We have two games left to get the three points. We will get it. We will be stronger in the second half of the season," said Mourinho.

Currently, Fenerbahce is ranked 21st in the Europa League standings 2024/2025 with a collection of eight points.

They are only three points apart from the straight path to the round of 16, aka the top eight.

There are still two remaining matches that are all played in January 2025. Fenerbahce is scheduled to host Lyon and then travel to Midtjylland headquarters.