Rangers emerged victorious over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in a thrilling Europa League encounter, yet the Portuguese manager remains skeptical about their chances of advancing past the quarter-finals. After an intense night at Ibrox, Rangers lost 2-0, leveling the tie at 3-3 on aggregate before triumphing in a dramatic penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Jack Butland was the hero, denying spot-kicks from Dusan Tadic and Fred to propel Barry Ferguson’s men into a last-eight clash with Athletic Bilbao.
Despite acknowledging Rangers’ resilience, Mourinho suggested they would need to raise their level significantly to overcome the Spanish side, especially with the Europa League final set to take place in Bilbao at the end of May.
Asked about Rangers’ chances, Mourinho remarked, “I want to be respectful. I respect the players, the coach, and the fans. In football, anything can happen. But I played against Bilbao in the group stage, and they are a strong team. The final is in Bilbao, and the road to Bilbao is difficult.”
Reflecting on the match, Mourinho expressed his frustration, believing his side was the superior team on the night. “We won 2-0. I think we lost the tie for different reasons. In the first leg, we didn’t play well and were punished with a result that put us in a tough position. But tonight, we dominated. Only one team played, only one team scored, only one team deserved to win after 90 minutes and 120 minutes.”
The Fenerbahce boss also voiced his displeasure regarding refereeing decisions, hinting at inconsistencies in crucial calls. “We had three penalties. If you don’t get three, you should at least get two. If not two, then one. If none are given, something is strange. But it’s also strange how we were knocked out of the Champions League—with a VAR penalty in the 120th minute. Then, in penalties, they scored, and we didn’t. That’s football.”
Despite his disappointment, Mourinho acknowledged Rangers’ success while making it clear he believed his team deserved more. “In the first match, I admitted we deserved to lose. But tonight, this was different. Don’t call me unfair—this isn’t about fair play. We were the better team.”
Rangers will now turn their attention to their quarter-final showdown with Athletic Bilbao, knowing that an even tougher test awaits if they are to continue their European adventure.
