Super Eagles star Leon Balogun knows what’s coming. The Rangers defender has sounded the alarm ahead of their decisive UEFA Europa League clash, fully aware that José Mourinho won’t take defeat lightly.
Rangers may have secured a promising first-leg result against Fenerbahce, but Balogun insists the battle is far from over, Footballrover reports.
The Nigerian international believes Mourinho will come armed with a tactical masterclass to flip the script, and Rangers must be prepared.
Leon Balogun: Jose Mourinho will have a plan—Rangers must be ready
After a strong showing in Turkey, Rangers return home with the advantage, yet Balogun remains cautious.
Speaking to Sky Sports, as reported by Daily Record, he acknowledged the significance of the upcoming fixtures and the challenge of facing a manager as seasoned as Mourinho.
“It’s a big week with two perfect fixtures. Obviously, Fenerbahce is first up, and we had a very good result over there. But we’re going against the Special One with some very good players, and I think it’s far from over,” Balogun stated.
Jose Mourinho’s reputation for orchestrating dramatic comebacks is well-documented.
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester United boss thrives in high-stakes European encounters, often finding ways to expose his opponent’s weaknesses.
Balogun understands this and is urging his teammates to remain laser-focused on the task at hand.
The defender emphasised his step-by-step approach, admitting that while their upcoming domestic fixture is important, securing Europa League progression is his immediate priority.
Rangers must stay sharp as Mourinho eyes a comeback
Rangers impressed in the first leg, putting themselves in control of the tie, but Balogun refuses to underestimate Mourinho’s ability to turn things around.
“It was a really good result and performance. But like I said, this is Mourinho, and I’m sure he will have a few tricks up his sleeve. He wouldn’t have been happy at all after the tie over there,” Balogun warned.
Mourinho’s tactical intelligence has undone many opponents over the years, and Fenerbahce will arrive in Scotland determined to rewrite the narrative.
However, Balogun remains confident that Rangers can build on their first-leg display, particularly in possession, and seal a quarter-final spot.
“But I think there’s a lot of confidence for us to take, and we can probably up our game in terms of on the ball,” he concluded.
With everything on the line, Rangers will need to be at their sharpest to withstand Mourinho’s challenge and take one step closer to European glory.
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