Fenerbahçe gears up for Champions League clash with Sturm Graz as Kante joins squad

Turkish club Fenerbahçe is preparing for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third‑qualifying round against Austrian side Sturm Graz, scheduled for early August in Istanbul with the return match to be played in Austria. The team trained at the Can Bartu facilities under head coach İsmail Kartal, focusing on passing drills, core work and speed exercises.

Midfielder N'Golo Kante, returning from the France national team after the World Cup, took part in the session. He has been assigned the number 91 shirt, swapping his previous number 17, and will be evaluated by the technical staff for possible involvement in the upcoming tie. The match will be overseen by English referee Chris Kavanagh and his assistants.

Fenerbahçe aim to secure a favorable result in the first leg to advance to the play‑off stage of Europe’s premier club competition.