The Bosnian Edin Dzeko scored a hat-trick to lead Fenerbahçe to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Lugano in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

The Bosnian Edin Dzeko, with a hat-trick, was decisive in Fenerbahçe's 4-3 victory in Thun over Lugano on Tuesday, putting José Mourinho's team on the right track for the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

The first leg of the second round of qualification in the League Path for the Champions League was the Portuguese coach's first official match in charge of the historic Turkish club, which he joined this season. The match was a thrilling encounter, filled with goals and dramatic moments, highlighting the competitive nature of the qualification rounds.

If they progress, as indicated by their advantage and the second leg being next Tuesday in Istanbul, Fenerbahçe will play against Lille from the French League. This upcoming fixture promises to be another challenging test for Mourinho's side as they aim to secure their place in the group stages of the Champions League.

The veteran Dzeko, 38 years old and already known to the Portuguese coach from his time at Roma, scored at 45+1 (from a penalty), 46, and 67 minutes, showing that he continues to be a very dangerous forward. His clinical finishing and experience were on full display, providing a significant boost to Fenerbahçe's attacking prowess.

The other goal for the historic club from the Asian side of Istanbul, which has won the national championship 19 times, was scored by the Turkish international Ferdi Kadioglu in the 73rd minute. Kadioglu's goal was crucial in maintaining Fenerbahçe's lead and momentum in the match.

Lugano opened the scoring in the fourth minute through Moroccan player El Wafi, with the other goals coming from Bislimi in the 64th minute and Argentinian Valenzuela in the 90+4th minute. Despite their efforts, Lugano couldn't overturn the deficit, but their performance demonstrated their resilience and ability to compete at a high level.

Overall, the match was a testament to Fenerbahçe's attacking capabilities and their determination to advance in the Champions League. Mourinho's tactical acumen and the contributions of key players like Dzeko and Kadioglu will be critical as they face tougher opponents in the subsequent rounds. The team's performance in this high-scoring match has set a positive tone for their Champions League campaign, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the second leg in Istanbul.