Fenerbahçe will face Çaykur Rizespor in a Trendyol Süper Lig match at Chobani Stadyumu. The match kicks off at 20:00 local time.
Team Lineups Announced
The starting lineups for both teams have been revealed.
Fenerbahçe: Ederson, Semedo, Skriniar, Çağlar, Brown, Kante, Guendouzi, Talisca, Nene, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Cherif.
Çaykur Rizespor: Fofana, Mithat, Mocsi, Samet, Hojer, Taylan, Olawoyin, Laçi, Augusto, Mihaila, Ali Sowe.
Players on Yellow Card Watch
Several Fenerbahçe players are walking a disciplinary tightrope ahead of their match against Rizespor. Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Nelson Semedo, Anthony Musaba, Archie Brown, Mert Müldür, Matteo Guendouzi and Dorgeles Nene are all one yellow card away from suspension.
Should any of these players receive a yellow card in the Rizespor match, they will be ruled out of the upcoming Galatasaray derby.
Oosterwolde Suspended for Fenerbahçe
Jayden Oosterwolde is suspended for the Rizespor match. The Dutch centre-back received his eighth yellow card of the season in the match against Kayserispor.
Oosterwolde has played in 27 league matches this season. He also received a red card in the first match of the season against Göztepe, which ruled him out of the Kocaelispor match.
Tedesco’s Pre-Match Thoughts
Fenerbahçe coach Domenico Tedesco spoke to the media before the match. He expressed his condolences for the recent attacks on schools. “We are shocked by the attack on the two schools. I hope it doesn’t happen again. I offer my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.”
Tedesco stressed the importance of the Rizespor match. “We have been here for 8 months, there has not been a match that was not a final for us. Every match except the Plzen match was like a final. It’s nice to be back in the race. A few weeks ago people thought we were out of the race. If we want to play the final match next week, we have to win today’s semi-final match first.”
When asked about the number of players at risk of suspension, Tedesco said it would not affect his plans. “If we don’t win this semi-final match, there will be no final match. I told the players: ‘Give everything, play like a normal match. Never have a yellow card penalty in your head. Of course, don’t get a stupid yellow card. For example, don’t get a yellow card for protesting to the referee. But if you have to prevent a counter-attack as part of the game, then you can get a yellow card.'”
- VAR for the match will be Davut Dakul Çelik.
- The match will be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS 1.
A Fenerbahçe attack saw Kerem’s shot from the left side of the penalty area saved by Rizespor goalkeeper Fofana.