Jose Mourinho is never one to hold back his thoughts, and his latest remarks about Cyriel Dessers prove just that, after the Super Eagles star tormented his side in Europa League.

The Fenerbahce boss watched as the Nigerian striker played a starring role in Rangers’ Europa League win, but rather than outright praise, Mourinho had a sharp assessment of Dessers’ performance.

It was a heated encounter at the Ülker Stadyumu Fenerbahçe, with Dessers silencing the home crowd just seven minutes in, Footballrover reports.

The Nigerian forward scored Rangers’ opener and made sure the fans knew it, cupping his ears in celebration—the iconic Mauro Icardi way.

That moment sparked an amusing exchange with Mourinho, suggesting the Portuguese coach appreciated his competitive edge.

Cyriel Dessers shines, but Jose Mourinho isn’t fully convinced

Dessers didn’t stop at scoring—he set up Rangers’ second goal, had two more goals disallowed and played a key role in their third before being substituted late in the game.

His influence on the match was undeniable, but Mourinho had a mixed reaction.

“Dessers is a good player, but today he looked like the best player in the world, but he is not,” Mourinho noted, as quoted by Rangers Review.

Beyond Dessers’ impact, Mourinho also acknowledged Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, who pulled off three crucial saves to keep Fenerbahce at bay.

The ex-Chelsea manager admitted his team struggled, pointing to defensive lapses and missed chances as key factors in their 3-1 loss.

Jose Mourinho still believes in a comeback

Despite the defeat, Mourinho refused to write off Fenerbahce’s chances. He admitted Rangers were the better side but insisted the tie isn’t over yet.

“Our performance was bad overall. The chances we had to score, we didn’t. The dynamic in midfield was not good. We lost lots of duels. Our passing was not fast,” Mourinho stated.

“It is a well-deserved defeat. They were better today. They did not make mistakes. If you ask me if the round is over, no, I do not think so. We are 3-1 behind and there are still 90 minutes left,” Mourinho concluded.

With the return leg set for next Thursday at Ibrox, Rangers will aim to hold their ground and secure a quarter-final spot, while Mourinho’s men will look for a dramatic turnaround.

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Last Updated on March 7, 2025 11:33 am by Sir Kris