Rangers delivered a statement performance in Istanbul, stunning Fenerbahçe with a commanding 3-1 victory in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie with Cyriel Dessers firing all cylinder.
The Super Esgles star was at the heart of it all, scoring once and setting up another as his side took a firm grip on the contest, Footballrover reports.
But beyond the scoreline, it was how Rangers handled Fenerbahçe—led by the legendary José Mourinho—that made headlines.
Cyriel Dessers sparks Rangers’ commanding display
It took just six minutes for Dessers to make his mark, capitalising on a mix-up between Fenerbahçe’s goalkeeper and defence.
The Nigerian forward reacted quickest, slotting home with precision to set the tone for a thrilling encounter.
Though Fenerbahçe struck back through Alexander Djiku in the 30th minute, Rangers refused to back down.
Václav Černý restored their lead before halftime, latching onto a pinpoint assist from Dessers.
The Czech forward then struck again in the 81st minute, sealing a crucial two-goal cushion ahead of the return leg in Glasgow.
Rangers’ tactical discipline and lethal counterattacks frustrated Mourinho’s side, who struggled to break down their resilient visitors.
Cyriel Dessers thrilled with how Rangers handled Fenerbahçe
Speaking to UEFA.com after the match, Cyriel Dessers expressed his delight at how Rangers handled Fenerbahçe’s challenge.
“We can be very happy with this evening. We handled them well. It won’t be easy next week, but we’ve shown we can hurt any team on the counterattack,” he said.
His confidence was evident, as Rangers executed their game plan to perfection, soaking up pressure before striking with precision.
Cyriel Dessers couldn’t also contain his excitement after finding the back of the net to spur the team to success.
“It’s a very nice feeling to score in a stadium like this. For the first goal, I just saw the ball drop between the defender and the goalkeeper, and that’s one of those moments as a striker when you have to be sharp,” he added.
With Fenerbahçe now facing an uphill battle at Ibrox, Rangers are in pole position to advance, but they know the job isn’t finished yet.
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Last Updated on March 7, 2025 7:55 am by Sir Kris
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