Fenerbahce were held to a 1-1 draw by Eyupspor in Turkish Super Lig on Friday
Results leaves side five points behind Galatasaray ahead of winter break
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By TUM BALOGUN
Published: 02:58 EST, 21 December 2024 | Updated: 02:58 EST, 21 December 2024
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho slammed his side's 'weak performance' and the overall the quality of football in their 1-1 draw with Eyupspor on Friday night.
The home side took the lead in the 26th minute before Youssef En-Nesyri equalised in the stoppage time of the first half.
Mourinho's side were unable to find a winner in the second half and as a result, lost further ground to Galatasaray, who now sit five points clear with a game in hand.
The former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss did not mince words post-match as he took aim at the quality of football on display and the performance of his side.
He said: 'It was a disaster. How much of the match was played, how many stoppages were there during the match, how long were the players on the ground?'
'This happened many times. Therefore, the quality of the match was low. There were also many technical errors. There were many technical errors. For me, it was a weak, low-quality match.
Jose Mourinho slammed his team for their display on Friday night and criticised the quality on show
Fenerbahce fell five points behind rivals and leaders Galatasaray, who still have a game in hand
'I am not responsible for the match being of such low quality, I am responsible for my own team, and my team also showed a weak performance today. We made a lot of technical errors individually.
'It was difficult for us to hold and turn the ball. We made a lot of mistakes in playmaking. We were much better in the second half, we created positions, we used the edges better. Although I would not say clear positions, we got into positions. Some of the ball losses we made also gave the opponent an opportunity.
'It gave them the opportunity to make a counter-attack. It was a weak match, a weak performance on our behalf.'
Mourinho has come under pressure this season for his methods at the Istanbul club, while results have begun to sour opinions of him.
Turkish Super Lig clubs will now get to enjoy a winter break and will play their next domestic matches from January 5.
The Portuguese insisted that the time off will be an unhappy one for him.
He added: 'We will have a few days off but it will not be a happy off period for me. How it will be for the players depends on their own mentality. But it will not be a happy off period for me. Actually, I would prefer not to have this off period but we promised the players long ago.
'Many players could not take more than 10 days off. Therefore, this was an important situation for them to rest. We will continue to work very hard in the second period of this 2-week break. I want my players to believe in the pragmatism of football. What is that? It is mathematics. '
'Mathematics determines where you will be. We have to fight mathematically regardless of the results of your other opponents. Everyone deserves more; the fans, the management… Therefore, the players also need to give more.'