Fenerbahçe-Zimbru is a match valid for the second qualifying round of the Conference League and is played on Wednesday at 20:00: predictions.
Reducing the gap with Galatasaray is the main objective of Fenerbahçe, who came off worst in last season’s thrilling title sprint with their historic city rivals. The Gialloblù were in the running until the very end, but in the photo finish Mertens and his team-mates made the decisive breakthrough, proving they have something more, not only in terms of the quality of their squad.
In comparison to two months ago, there are many changes. Starting with the coach: Jorge Jesus has left for Saudi Arabia, and in his place comes Ismail Kartal, a coach who did very well at the helm of Erzurumspor. Jewel Arda Guler ended up at Real Madrid for around 20 million euros and central defender Szalai also could not resist the Bundesliga sirens. Their disposals, however, were necessary to finance the far from trivial purchases: Edin Dzeko arrived from Inter Milan and Tadic from Ajax. Two over-30-year-olds who, however, despite their identity cards, still have plenty of petrol in the tank. The Bosnian is not the only player Fenerbahçe have picked up from Serie A: picking up Szalai’s legacy will be Brazilian Becao, the former Udinese captain.
The Zimbru is not scary
It is vital to have a long squad as Kartal and his men will also be involved in the Conference League, a competition in which they will be well placed.
Zimbru players in training
In order to reach the group stage of the third continental competition, Fenerbahçe will in any case have to overcome some preliminary rounds. The first obstacle is the Moldovans of Zimbru, who beat the San Marino side La Fiorita in the first qualifying round. But no goleada: in the small republic, Lilian Popescu’s men even drew (1-1), while in the return match in Moldova they ‘only’ won 1-0 thanks to a goal from defender Dedechko.
The prediction
In spite of a necessarily experimental line-up – several of the new signings will not be involved by coach Kartal – Fenerbahçe should mortgage qualification against an opponent who, on paper, is clearly inferior. There could be at least four goals in total in the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium match.
Fenerbahçe-Zimbru’s likely line-up
- FENERBAHCE (4-3-3): Bayindir; Osayi-Samuel, Aziz, Peres, Oosterwolde; Hakan Yandas, Crespo, Yuksek; Kent, Dzeko, Rossi.
- ZIMBRU (5-3-2): Agachi; Dedov, Misaras, Dedechko, Stefan, Gaiu; Raileanu, Djou, Soumah; Caruntu, Alaribe.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
