MONACO: Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce fell short of returning to the Champions League on Wednesday, losing 1-0 at Benfica in the qualifying playoffs on Wednesday.
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Benfica — the first club Mourinho coached — had two goals disallowed on video review in the first half before its Turkish forward Kerem Akturkoglu scored with a rising shot in the 35th minute for the only goal over the two legs.
Club Brugge, Copenhagen and Qarabag of Azerbaijan also advanced to complete the 36-team lineup for the league phase, with the draw being made Thursday.
Mourinho is a two-time Champions League winner but has not coached in the main stage of the marquee competition for six seasons. Fenerbahce’s absence now stretches to 17 seasons.
