Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho voiced his frustration with local journalists on Sunday after his team fell further behind Super Lig leaders Galatasaray, stating that he is "always" questioned about players who aren’t in the lineup.
Fenerbahce settled for a 2-2 draw against Samsunspor in a match that saw them concede a late equalizer.
In response to a reporter's inquiry about why certain players were not participating, Mourinho, who took over as Fenerbahce's head coach this summer, said after the match, "I'm starting to learn what Turkey is. I'm surprised that you don't ask why goalkeeper Irfan [Can Eğribayat] doesn't play, I'm surprised that you don't ask about [forward] Cenk Tosun; I'm surprised because you always ask about the players that don't play.
"For me, [Dušan] Tadić has been our best player for some matches, not because he scores important goals, but because of the balance he brings to the team, because of the organization he has in his brain, because he doesn't make positional or decision-making mistakes. If you don't want me to play him, and play somebody who isn't playingmuch, okay.
"Serbian forward Tadić started the match and netted his fifth league goal of the season. He has also tallied four assists in eight league games thus far.
"It's difficult for me to give more reasons because I don't want to analyze my players publicly," Mourinho explained. "I have to protect players and not open up too much about the reasons why this one plays and not the other.
"I understand it is your culture ... You are crying every week for me to play [midfielder] Irfan Kahveci [who came on as a substitute on Sunday] ... sometimes players that you think are phenomenal players, they are not. Sometimes they make critical mistakes that impact the team."
Juventus manager Thiago Motta expressed his satisfaction with his team's depth after a dramatic 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
The match was tightly contested until substitute Samuel Mbangula scored a decisive late goal to secure the win for the Italian side.
Motta highlighted the importance of squad rotation and the ability of his substitutes to influence games, stating, "A strong bench is what separates great teams from good teams. Every player must be ready to step in and make an impact."
Juventus’ ability to rely on fresh legs late in the game proved crucial, as they absorbed PSV’s pressure before finishing the match on the front foot.
With Juventus aiming for success both domestically and in Europe, Motta emphasized the role of squad depth in maintaining consistency throughout a demanding season.
He praised the performances of his substitutes, particularly Mbangula, saying, "Samuel showed great composure and quality when it mattered most. This is the mentality we need in every player."
PSV, meanwhile, rued missed opportunities and defensive lapses that led to their downfall.
Juventus captain Danilo also weighed in on the importance of the team's collective effort, adding, "It’s not just about the starting eleven; it’s about the whole squad being ready. Everyone played their part in this win."
With this victory, Juventus continues to build momentum, reinforcing their position as a strong contender in the Champions League.
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