Fenerbahçe faces internal tension following Aston Villa defeat

Fenerbahçe is facing internal tension following a 6-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the UEFA Champions League. Reports suggest a significant dispute involving Spanish midfielder Marco Asensio, who allegedly refused to travel to England after learning he would be on the bench rather than in the starting eleven. While the club officially cited a knee reaction as the reason for his absence, media reports claim the decision was a protest against technical staff.

Head coach İsmail Kartal has publicly denied any conflict with Asensio, stating, “I have no problem with any of my players.” Kartal noted that the club and the player would provide a detailed explanation regarding the situation. Beyond the Asensio controversy, reports indicate potential communication issues between Kartal and other key players, including N'Golo Kanté, Matteo Guendouzi, and Romelu Lukaku.

Following the Champions League loss, Fenerbahçe secured a 3-0 victory against Alanyaspor in the Süper Lig. Kartal emphasized the need for rotation and focus as the team prepares for upcoming matches against Slavia Prague and Galatasaray.