Molde vs Fenerbahce - Ribeiro urges Fenerbahce to face up to the cold

Posted Thursday, November 26, 2015 by PA

Goalkeeper Fabiano Ribeiro has urged his Fenerbahce team-mates not to over-think the conditions when they travel to Molde for Thursday evening's important Europa League Group A fixture.

With five points from their four games so far, second-placed Fenerbahce trail surprise group leaders Molde by five points and remain ahead of third-placed Ajax by two and Celtic by three.

Victory, coupled with a draw between Celtic and Ajax, would secure Fenerbahce's place in the competition's final 32 alongside Molde, who recently reappointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager.

Fenerbahce boss Vitor Pereira remains without the injured Abdoulaye Ba, the Senegalese defender, and Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles, but both Caner Erkin and Ribeiro have recently returned to training.

"We are going to play in different weather conditions in Norway," Ribeiro said, with cold temperatures and rain expected.

"It will not be the environment or type of pitch we are used to, but we cannot think about that now.

"We must prepare for the match and concentrate on what we can do on the pitch as much as possible."

Molde had ended a seven-match winless streak on the road in Europe with an impressive 3-1 win at Fenerbahce in September.

Tommy Hoiland had given them the lead with a Panenka-esque penalty, and after Nani equalised for the hosts, goals from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Martin Linnes secured victory.