Fenerbahce returns to Europe

Istanbul side Fenerbahce returns to Champions League action on Wednesday night, after a two year break, when it takes on Sparta Prague at its home Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
While looking to progress through the group stage, Fener will have as its first task to improve on its dismal last campaign in Europe, having been blotted out in the 2001-02 season, losing all its six matches.
However, Fener’s German coach Christoph Daum has the talent in the stable to make a better fist of this campaign, with Dutchman Pierre Van Hooijdonk and Brazilians Alex De Souza and Marco Aurelio Prazeres of the foreign contingent in good touch and Turkish international keeper Recber Rustu back in the side after an unsuccessful stint with Barcelona.
Fener goes into Wednesday night’s game in good form, having won four and draw the other of its five games in the Turkish Super League. While its Czech opponent has not looked all that good in winning its way through two preliminary rounds to reach the group stage, Fener’s coach is wary of Sparta, knowing it has a number of skilled players and a sound defence that is hard to crack.
“Looking at our recent matches we need to produce much more for the Champions League, especially in terms of mistakes, because teams like Sparta are very experienced and will not leave errors unpunished,” Daum told a press conference ahead of the game.
With Olympique Lyon and Manchester United the other two teams in Group D, Daum will be hoping there are no errors to be punished and that Fener can get their campaign off to a flying start before they have to face even more experienced opponents.