Jota saves Liverpool after Robertson horror show

Amorim should end Zirkzee experiment and get Mount in his XI!

Online Soccer Betting: Our 2024 Guide

Dele Alli's Origin Story

Man City left to rue their big academy mistakes as squad goes stale

Hojlund double bails out blundering Onana

New date for Everton vs Liverpool – but UEFA approval required

World Cup 2026 UEFA qualifiers draw: Stream, seeding & guide

CR7 sends emotional message as Portugal co-host World Cup

Pep clashes with Gundogan after damaging Juve defeat

Arsenal receive huge Gabriel injury boost

Man Utd in 'advanced negotiations' for first signing of Amorim's reign

Erling Haaland

Harry Kane

Viktor Gyokeres

Vinicius Jr

Robert Lewandowski

Others

Every match from the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League streams on Stan Sport ad-free, live and on demand

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Fenerbahce went down against Lille</li><li>Mourinho admitted Europa League is their level</li><li>Slammed the format changes for 2024-25</li></ul>

Jose Mourinho admits Fenerbahce would 'never have reached Champions League final' after qualifying loss to Lille & insists Europa League is 'more adapted to our level'

Super Lig

Fenerbahce

Istanbul Basaksehir

Coupe de France

Rouen

Lille

Fenerbahce failed to qualify for the 2024-25 Champions League main competition after a late strike from Jonathan David helped <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/jose-mourinho-repeats-most-iconic-lines-blames-referee-fenerbahce-crashing-out-champions-league-lille/bltd71b6e5962ae5b24#csec1a2aece56dbce5" target="_blank">Lille clinch the tie 3-2 on aggregate</a>. After the third qualifying round loss, manager Mourinho made an honest confession that his team would have never made it to the final of the Champions League, let alone win it.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Portuguese manager is now focusing on the club's campaign in the Europa League, although, he also criticised <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/last-ever-champions-league-group-of-death-swiss-model-kill-early-excitement/blt5bcac76776dd6a98" target="_blank">UEFA for changing the format of all their competitions</a>. Both the Champions League and the Europa League will played in a new format from this season as all teams will play four home and away matches in a league competition before making it to the play-offs, with the old group-stage format scrapped.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Speaking to reporters at his post-match press conference, the 61-year-old said: "We lose economically because the Champions League obviously is an important boost to the club and we lose the chance to play against the biggest teams in the world. But we would never win the Champions League. We would never reach the Champions League final. Never."When asked about UEFA's format changes, the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid coach added: "I don’t even know the reason why the Europa League is going to be this way. Same as Champions. I don’t know the reason why. We have to adapt it’s something new for everybody. You play eight matches, four at home, and four away. Against some opponents you only play at home, against some opponents, you only play away. It’s strange, but it is what it is. I think money makes decisions and we have to adapt to it."But as I was saying before, the Champions League would be great for the club, great for the players. But we would never have a chance to go very, very far in the competition and the [Europa] league is more adapted to our level. And I want to inject ambition in the team to do well."

WHAT JOSE MOURINHO SAID

Mourinho's Fenerbahce will be next seen in action on Sunday as they take on Goztepe in a Turkish Super Lig clash, where they will be aiming to extend their 100 percent start to the new domestic season.

WHAT NEXT FOR FENERBAHCE?

Jose Mourinho admits Fenerbahce would 'never have reached Champions League final' after qualifying loss to Lille & insists Europa League is 'more adapted to our level' | Goal.com Australia

Jose Mourinho admitted Fenerbahce &quot;would have never reached the Champions League final&quot; after their qualifying loss against Lille.

Jose Mourinho admits Fenerbahce would &apos;never have reached Champions League final&apos; after qualifying loss to Lille &amp; insists Europa League is &apos;more adapted to our level&apos;