Super Eagles and Rangers defender Leon Balogun has warned his teammates not to underestimate the tactical genius of Jose Mourinho ahead of their crucial UEFA Europa League second-leg clash against Fenerbahce.
Rangers secured a commanding 3-1 victory in Turkey last week, with Cyriel Dessers stealing the spotlight with a brilliant performance.
However, Balogun insists the tie is far from over, as Mourinho is known for staging dramatic turnarounds.
Balogun: “Mourinho Won’t Go Down Without a Fight”
With no domestic fixture over the weekend, Rangers have had extra time to prepare for Thursday’s encounter. But Balogun believes his side must be at their absolute best to avoid a slip-up.
“It’s a big week with two massive games,” Balogun told the Daily Record.
“First, we have Fenerbahce. We got a great result over there, but we’re facing The Special One, a man who thrives on comebacks. His team has quality, and this tie is far from settled.”
Balogun in action for the Gers. (Photo Credits imago)
The veteran centre-back also dismissed any distractions from the upcoming Old Firm derby against Celtic, stressing that Rangers must stay focused on the European mission first.
“I don’t think about the weekend much—it’s there, of course, but right now, the focus is on getting through to the next round. We have to finish the job against Fenerbahce.”
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A Battle of Tactical Wits: Rangers vs. Mourinho
Rangers’ historic away win in Turkey—making them the only Scottish side in two decades to achieve such a feat—has given them a strong advantage heading into the second leg. However, Balogun believes Mourinho will have a game plan to turn things around.
“This is Mourinho we’re talking about. He won’t have been happy after the first leg, and you can be sure he’s worked on some tactical changes.
“We have confidence in ourselves, but we can still improve our game—especially in possession. If we play smart, we can get over the line.”
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Rangers have built a reputation as a formidable force in European competitions in recent years, but the real test comes on Thursday night at Ibrox.
