Enner Valencia’s goal was not enough for Fernerbahçe to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Europa League this Thursday in the second leg of the round of 16 played at the Ulker Fenerbahce stadium in Sukru Saracoglu.

The penalty kick that Valencia took in the 40th minute brought victory to Turkey, but it did not extinguish the hopes of Sevilla, led by former Emelec coach (2010) Jorge Sampaoli.

A 2-0 win in the first leg at the Sánchez Pizjuán put the Sevilla team through to the next round, 2-1 on aggregate.

Despite their difficult position in Spain’s La Liga, where they are just two points away from the relegation zone to the Second Division, Sampaoli’s men continue to cling to the continental competition and force their fans to forget the difficult situation for a moment.

In an always difficult away stadium, Fenerbahçe were confident they could make a comeback, especially after nullifying the Spanish side in the first half. Enner Valencia’s production, however, was just one goal this Thursday.

The forward and captain of the Ecuadorian team scored 27 goals in the 2022-2023 season.

(D)