Super Eagles and Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers has expressed mixed emotions after having two goals disallowed in Rangers’ 3-1 win over Fenerbahçe in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 clash.
Dessers was the standout performer on the night, opening the scoring early with a precise finish that narrowly crossed the goal line.
He later linked up beautifully with Vaclav Černý, assisting the winger to restore Rangers’ lead before Černý sealed the victory late on.
However, despite his impressive showing, Dessers had two second-half goals ruled out for offside, both of which could have further solidified Rangers’ advantage.
Speaking to UEFA.com after the match, Dessers emphasized his satisfaction with the team’s performance while acknowledging the challenge that lies ahead in the return leg.
“Overall, I think we can be very happy with this evening. We handled them well. It will not be easy to handle them again next week, but you see that we can hurt any team on the counterattack,” he said.
Rangers expertly navigated Fenerbahçe’s possession-based approach, soaking up pressure and capitalizing on fast breaks.
Despite conceding an equalizer to Alexander Djiku in the 30th minute, the Scottish side showed resilience, regaining the lead just before halftime.
“A Very Nice Feeling to Score in a Stadium Like This”
Dessers’ ability to influence the game was evident, as he not only found the back of the net but also assisted Černý’s first goal. His movement and sharp instincts in front of goal proved vital for Rangers’ success.
Reflecting on his opening goal, he said:
“It’s a very nice feeling to score in a stadium like this. For the first goal, I just saw the ball drop between the defender and the goalkeeper, and that’s one of those moments as a striker when you have to be sharp.”
Discussing his frustration over the two disallowed goals, Dessers admitted he was unaware of the first and had high hopes for the second.
“With the first one, I was just looking at Nico [Raskin] when he was shooting. I wasn’t really aware,” Dessers told TNT Sports.
“With the second one, I was hoping to get the ball just a tiny bit earlier. Jefte played it perfectly. It’s a pity it was disallowed.”
A Striker in Top Form
Dessers’ resurgence has been remarkable. After starting the year on the bench and facing criticism, he has forced his way back into the team with consistent performances.
His display against Fenerbahçe further solidifies his importance to Rangers as they continue their push in Europe.
With the return leg at Ibrox on the horizon, Rangers will look to complete the job and secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahçe faces an uphill battle, needing a much-improved performance to overturn the deficit.
For Dessers, this form has also reignited discussions about his Super Eagles future, especially with Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers coming up in March.
