Rangers triumphed over Fenerbahce with a convincing 3-1 victory at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on March 6, 2025, during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg. Interim manager Barry Ferguson made his European managerial debut, and the team's tactics proved effective from the onset.
The match kicked off enthusiastically for Rangers as Cyriel Dessers exploited defensive errors just six minutes in. He rounded goalkeeper Irfan Can Egribayat and sent the ball toward the goal, where Caglar Soyuncu attempted to clear it away. The referee's technology confirmed the ball crossed the line, granting Rangers the unexpected early lead.
Fenerbahce responded vigorously. Midway through the first half, substitute Alexander Djiku leveled the score, showcasing his skills by redirecting a flick-on from a corner past Rangers’ keeper Jack Butland. The home crowd began to sense anticipation, hoping for the team's dominance to turn the match around.
Nonetheless, Rangers didn’t falter. Just before halftime, Dessers became the provider this time, setting up Vaclav Cerny with an exquisite back-pass. Cerny finished clinically, placing the ball past Egribayat, restoring the lead just minutes before the break amid ecstatic celebrations from the traveling fans.
By the second half, Fenerbahce sought to regain control, but Rangers’ defense held firm under pressure. Dessers saw two potential goals disallowed due to offside calls following VAR reviews, showcasing his prowess but also the marginal nature of the rulings. Each time he found the net, his celebrations were cut short, much to the frustration of the forward.
Yet, Rangers maintained their offensive momentum, surrendering little ground as they countered effectively against the Turkish side. With ten minutes remaining, Cerny scored his second of the match following another swift attack initiated by Nicolas Raskin, effectively sealing their fate with a decisive third goal.
"It was a brilliant holding ball and then a brilliant pass. I was on the edge of the halfway line and it is about keeping a clear head around the keeper," Cerny remarked on the build-up to his second goal, highlighting the team's strategic execution.
The match concluded with Rangers securing not just victory but significant morale as they now boast only one loss from their last eight away fixtures in the Europa League. This result places them as favorites to progress to the quarter-finals with the return leg set for Ibrox next week.
Despite the team's success, the evening was overshadowed by the tragic death of one Rangers supporter earlier on the match day due to a road traffic accident in Istanbul. The club expressed their condolences, stating, "We are devastated to learn of the passing of one of our supporters. The immediate thoughts of everyone at the club are with their family and friends. We remain in contact with both Turkish and British authorities over this tragic incident." This solemn reminder of life's fragility contrasted sharply with the joyous celebration of Rangers’ performance.
Manager Barry Ferguson’s strategic switch to three at the back proved successful. Following the match, he praised his players for their determination and teamwork, clearly showing the squad’s resolve amid the recent upheaval following the departure of former manager Philippe Clement.
Looking forward, Ferguson stated confidently, "The European games have been good overall. You can see the strength and power we have when we stick together. We’re only halfway there, but this is certainly encouraging."
Fenerbahce, led by head coach Jose Mourinho, will need to regroup before the second leg. After the match, Mourinho noted, "It's disappointing for us because we came back and had our chances, but we couldn't capitalize. Now we have to recover quickly and focus on the next leg."
With the tie away from home favoring Rangers, their focus will turn to ensuring they maintain momentum and secure their spot as they head back to Glasgow. Fans and analysts alike now hold their breath for another epic clash as both teams prepare for what promises to be another intense chapter on March 13, 2025, back at Ibrox.
Overall, this 3-1 victory marks both Ferguson's strong introduction to European competition and highlights Rangers’ potential to make significant progress this season. With European aspirations rekindled, the ‘Gers look forward to extending their run, buoyed by strong team chemistry and impressive performances from players like Cerny and Dessers, who has emerged as one of the standout talents of the evening.