Jose Mourinho might’ve felt that his Fenerbahce side deserved to go through in the Europa League defeat to Rangers.
Rangers ran out 3-2 penalty kick winners over Fenerbahce after losing 2-0 on the night with the Turkish side having overturned a 3-1 defeat in Istanbul.
It wasn’t to be for Jose Mourinho in Glasgow with Rangers now set to face Athletic Bilbao in a tantalising Europa League quarter final clash.
But when asked just how far Rangers can go in this year’s competition, Mourinho reckons it will take something ‘phenomenal’ for the Gers to overcome the Spaniards.
Jose Mourinho on Rangers’ chances v Athletic Bilbao
Jose Mourinho paid tribute to the Rangers fans come full-time in Glasgow but the Fenerbahce manager was bitterly disappointed to be leaving Scotland empty-handed.
Fenerbahce were thwarted by Super Jack Butland as the Rangers goalkeeper inspired a result and evening that will live long in the memory at Ibrox.
But when pressed on how far he thinks Rangers can go in this year’s competition, Mourinho was honest about the Ibrox side’s chances against Athletic Bilbao.
It comes after the La Liga outfit defeated his Fenerbahce side 2-0 in the Europa League League Phase.
“I want to be respectful,” said Mourinho when asked how far Rangers can go in the Europa League.
”I want to respect the guys, I want to respect the coach, I want to respect the fans.
”In football anything is possible. In football ANYTHING is possible.
”But I played against Bilbao in the group stage. Bilbao is a stronger team (than Rangers).
”Bilbao is a stronger team and the Final is in Bilbao. The road to Bilbao.
”I don’t know what happened today with Roma I just know that after 10 minutes Roma was playing with 10 men.
”So honestly I think if Rangers does it against Bilbao it will be phenomenal, it would be phenomenal because it’s going to be very hard.”
Athletic Bilbao amongst Europa League favourites
Athletic Bilbao promise to be a tough test for Rangers and Barry Ferguson with the Spaniards having extra motivation in this season’s Europa League.
The Europa League Final will be held in Athletic’s Estadio de San Mames in May and the Bilbao faithful have their eyes set on the trophy.
Rangers will also have to play the second leg away from home, meaning it is very much advantage Athletic in the Quarter Final tie.
The Spanish outfit were also one of the top performers in the Europa League League Phase, finishing 2nd to Lazio due to goal difference.
| Athletic Bilbao’s Europa Leauge campaign 24/25 | |
| AS Roma (A) 🤝 | 1-1 |
| AZ Alkmaar (H) ✅ | 2-0 |
| Slavia Prague (H) ✅ | 1-0 |
| Ludogorets (A) ✅ | 1-2 |
| Elfsborg (H) ✅ | 3-0 |
| Fenerbahce (A) ✅ | 0-2 |
| Besiktas (A) ❌ | 4-1 |
| Victoria Plzen (H) ✅ | 3-1 |
| AS Roma (A) ❌ | 2-1 |
| AS Roma (H) ✅ | 3-1 |
Rangers will be under no illusions regarding the scale of the challenge but having overcome Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce, what’s a trip to Bilbao?
