After last term's near miss, Fenerbahce begin this season's Turkish Super Lig title chase against Adana Demirspor at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Saturday.
Supporters will undoubtedly troop in to catch Jose Mourinho's first league match in charge of the side, even though Adana's new boss Michael Valkanis will be keen to ruin the mood in Istanbul.
Match preview
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Mourinho was not in situ last season when Fener accrued 99 points but still fell short in the title race, with Galatasaray ending the campaign with 102 points.
Just over two months since the gut-wrenching culmination of the 2023-24 season, Mourinho aims to pick up his players for another shot at a first Super Lig title since the 2013-14 and 20th league crown.
Unlike their opponent, Mourinho's men have already played competitively this term, with the Yellow Canaries participating in Champions League qualifying before gameweek one's match.
Having secured progress at Lugano's expense in the previous round, a first-leg loss to Lille in France leaves Mourinho's side at risk of continental elimination before next week's reverse fixture.
Given the financial benefits of featuring in Europe's premier club competition, prioritising August 13's match on home soil could tempt Fenerbahce's Portuguese manager into making alterations.
Adana will hope to play a Fener side not at full power on Saturday keen to get off to a commendable start in 2024-25 under a different regime.
Valkanis replaced Hikmet Karaman just over a month ago, and the Australian manager aims to start his spell in Turkey with a positive result.
Last season brought about a decline in overall performance from Mavi Simsekler after consecutive top-half finishes under Vincenzo Montella, with fourth place in 2022-23 the club's peak under the Italian.
That followed a ninth-place final position under the former Italy striker, who elevated the Adana-based club after taking over in the 2021-22 season.
The club's supporters will hope for an improved year under their Australian boss as they seek performances and results to remind them of the recent years under Montella.
However, the away side must improve on last season's wretched road run that saw them notch one win in 19 matches away from Adana, drawing 10 and losing eight.
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Team News
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Edin Dzeko netted 21 league goals for Fener last season, and this season's four in three competitive games suggest the experienced striker is still firing on all cylinders this term.
Fred is not expected back for a few more weeks after sustaining a ligament injury, pointing to a start for Rade Krunic.
There are no reported injuries for Adana Demirspor on the opening day, giving the away side a full squad heading to Istanbul.
With last season's leading goalscorers M'Baye Niang (eight goals), Emre Akbaba and Mario Balotelli (both seven) no longer at the club for different reasons, Valkanis will seek new on-field leaders to take responsibility for the Blue Lightnings.
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Osayi-Samuel, Djiku, Soyuncu, Kadioglu; Szymanski, Yuksek, Krunic; Kahveci, Dzeko, Saint-Maximin
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Karakus; Sari, Guler, Gravillon, Mohammadi; Shehu, Rodriguez, Michut; Aybetov, Barasi, Nourani
We say: Fenerbahce 2-0 Adana Demirspor
Despite the imminent Champions League qualifying match with Lille, Fenerbahce are expected to secure a routine win over their opponents to extend their undefeated sequence against Adana to five, with the away side's lack of pre-season friendly action counting against them in Istanbul.
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