Fenerbahce v Rangers: Line-ups, stats and preview

It has been a period of turmoil for both Fenerbahce and Rangers in recent weeks but all focus will be on the pitch when they meet in the first leg of their Europa League, round of 16 tie tomorrow night.

Fener boss Jose Mourinho has been embroiled in a racism row that was sparked by comments he made following the game with fierce derby rivals Galatasaray last month while Rangers have changed head coach with Barry Ferguson stepping in on an interim basis to replace the sacked Philippe Clement.

Rangers got to this stage under Clement which was the only bright spot of an otherwise underwhelming season that sees them sit 16 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Ferguson has had a mixed start, a thrilling 4-2 win at Kilmarnock followed by a dismal weekend defeat to Motherwell at Ibrox.

His side will need to improve when they step into the white-hot atmosphere of the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

Preparations for the Rangers clash have begun!#UEL #FBvRFC pic.twitter.com/A5GGkuRWN3

— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) March 4, 2025

For Fener and Mourinho, their task is to simply replicate their recent form. The Istanbul giants are unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions, a run that has helped them move to within four points of Gala at the top of the Super Lig table.

Mourinho was asked about his recent off-field issues but swatted them away, insisting it was not a problem.

He said: “On the pitch there have been difficult moments. We always respect our opponents, so yes we’ve had problems on the pitch.

“The reason why we are 18 matches unbeaten is because we faced the difficult moments with courage, humility and with a good spirit.

“Outside of the pitch, I don’t think we have had a difficult moment.”

And the Portuguese is expecting the dismissal of Clement to make life harder for his team. He added on Ferguson: “I know his history as a football player who played for Scotland and Rangers. I don’t know much about him as coach but I respect the emotional connection between him as a coach and his club now.

“That is a very important thing in a football club. I don’t like to talk about the lack of experience in European football but look at the positive side.

“It will be much more difficult against him than the previous manager. He was more worried about his philosophy off the pitch, on the pitch [with passion] is where you win matches. Ferguson will be more pragmatic and objective so it will be hard for us.”