Turkish giants Fenerbahce, the latest team to be guided by Jose Mourinho, have launched the revamped Europa League with a 2-1 home win over Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, as both teams finished the game with 10 men.
Defender Caglar Soyuncu opened the scoring for Fenerbahce in the 26th minute on Thursday with a half-volley from close range before an own goal from Christian Burgess doubled their lead.Â
Ross Sykes scored in stoppage time for the visitors but it was not enough to stop Mourinho kicking off another European campaign with a victory.
Union defender Kevin Mac Allister had received a red card in the 74th minute while Fenerbahce substitute Bright Osayi-Samuel was also sent off in the final minute.
Europe's second tier is familiar turf for Mourinho, who led Manchester United to the 2017 title and Roma to the 2023 final, where they lost to Sevilla after a penalty shootout.
In another early game, Scottish side Rangers won 2-0 at Malmo.
Nedim Bajrami scored in the opening minute, with Ross McCausland netting in the second half.
As in the Champions League, the traditional group stage of the Europa League has been replaced with an expanded league phase with all 36 teams competing in a single standings.
Each Europa League team will play eight games against eight different opponents through to the end of January.
