In the third round of UEFA Europa League action, Fenerbahçe welcomed German giants Stuttgart to the legendary Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. Head coach Domenico Tedesco made four changes to the lineup that had just beaten Fatih Karagümrük in the Super Lig—one due to UEFA squad rules, the rest strategic tweaks to keep the momentum alive.

Levent Mercan, who started against Karagümrük, had to sit this one out since he’s not registered on Fenerbahçe’s UEFA list. Tedesco also gave a breather to goalkeeper Tarık Çetin, defender Çağlar Söyüncü, and playmaker Anderson Talisca, opting for fresh legs and tactical flexibility.

Stepping in were Ederson between the posts, Milan Skriniar locking down the defense, Archie Brown injecting speed on the wing, and Youssef En-Nesyri leading the charge up front—all slotting straight into the starting eleven.

Against Stuttgart, Tedesco relied on Ederson to hold steady in goal, backed by a solid defensive line featuring Nelson Semedo, Skriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde, and Brown. The midfield got a gritty edge with Edson Alvarez and İsmail Yüksek, while the attack sparked with Dorgeles Nene, Marco Asensio, and Kerem Aktürkoğlu pulling the strings. Up top, En-Nesyri hunted for chances, but it was Aktürkoğlu who made the early impact—coolly converting a penalty to give Fenerbahçe a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Fenerbahçe’s bench was stacked with talent, ready to jump in if needed: İrfan Can Eğribayat, Tarık Çetin, Çağlar Söyüncü, Fred Rodrigues, Jhon Duran, Yiğit Efe Demir, Mert Müldür, Sebastian Szymanski, Oğuz Aydın, and Anderson Talisca.

Ederson Returns to the Starting XI

Fenerbahçe’s dependable keeper Ederson reclaimed his spot for this high-stakes clash against Stuttgart. After missing the Samsunspor and Karagümrük matches due to injury, the seasoned Brazilian looked sharp from the first whistle. His last appearance? That gritty 2-1 Europa League win over Nice, where Fenerbahçe dug deep for the result.

Duran Back After Two-Month Layoff

Colombian striker Jhon Duran made his return to the Fenerbahçe squad after a frustrating two-month injury break. Though he started on the bench, his presence was a welcome boost. His last minutes came in the Champions League playoff against Benfica on August 27, with his final start against Kocaelispor just days earlier.

Talisca Benched for the First Time Under Tedesco

Brazilian playmaker Anderson Talisca found himself on the bench for the first time since Tedesco took charge at Fenerbahçe. The coach had started him in seven matches—six in the league and one in Europe—excluding the red-card absence against Dinamo Zagreb. But tonight, Talisca watched from the sidelines as Stuttgart pushed forward.

Fenerbahçe Missing Two Key Players

Fenerbahçe had to manage without İrfan Can Kahveci and Cenk Tosun, both left out by club decision. Their absence narrowed attacking options, but the squad remained deep enough to hold firm.

Stuttgart Fans Bring the Noise

Stuttgart’s traveling supporters filled the away section in Istanbul, turning their corner of the stadium into a sea of red and white. Their energy was felt from kickoff, adding to the electric atmosphere.

Kadıköy Comes Alive—Sold Out Crowd

Fenerbahçe fans packed the Şükrü Saracoğlu hours before kickoff, creating a buzzing scene in Kadıköy. Waves of yellow and navy filled the streets, with chants and flags flying as every seat was claimed for this European night.

Fenerbahçe Hosts Stuttgart and UEFA Officials for Pre-Match Dinner

Fenerbahçe’s leadership welcomed Stuttgart’s executives and a UEFA representative for a friendly dinner ahead of the match. The gathering took place in Çengelköy, with board members Burçin Gözlüklü and Taner Sönmezer hosting Stuttgart’s Alexander Wehrle and Fabian Wohlgemuth, along with UEFA’s Peter Oskam. The evening ended with gift exchanges, setting a respectful tone before kickoff.

Match Details and Early Europa League Form

Kickoff was at 7:45 p.m. local time, with Danish referee Jakob Kehlet in charge, supported by assistants Lars Hummelgaard and Wollenberg Rasmussen. Fenerbahçe entered the match having bounced back from a 3-1 loss to Dinamo Zagreb with a 2-1 win over Nice. Stuttgart followed a similar path—beating Celta Vigo 2-1 before falling 2-0 to Basel.

Fresh off a hard-fought 2-1 league win over Karagümrük, Fenerbahçe came into this clash with confidence—and Aktürkoğlu’s first-half penalty gave them a deserved edge heading into the second half.

Four Question Marks for Fenerbahçe

There were whispers that Fenerbahçe might be without four players for this match, but most made the cut. Ederson, despite injury concerns, started strong. Duran stayed on the bench, easing back into fitness. However, İrfan Can Kahveci and Cenk Tosun remained sidelined as expected.

Spotlight on the Goalkeepers

Fenerbahçe’s İrfan Can Eğribayat returned from a broken toe just in time for the Karagümrük match and was available again tonight. At 27, he’s fully fit and ready. Tedesco now faces a tough call between Eğribayat and Tarık Çetin, who impressed with a clean sheet against Samsunspor and key saves versus Karagümrük. Still, Ederson held his ground in goal against Stuttgart.

Stuttgart’s Starting XI

Stuttgart lined up with Nübel in goal; Hendriks, Stiller, Mittelstädt, Tomas, El Khannouss, Jaquez, captain Karazor, Assignon, Chabot, and Bouanani leading the attack—a mix of grit and flair aiming to level the score as the second half unfolded.