Ghana defender Alexander Djiku has expressed his readiness as Fenerbahçe gears up for their first competitive match of the season.

The Turkish giants, who finished as runners-up in the league last season, are set to face Lugano in the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the Stockhorn Arena.

Ahead of the match, Djiku emphasized that Fenerbahçe will not underestimate their Swiss opponents. "Lugano is a really good team.

Looking at last season, they finished second in their league and they are capable of scoring more goals. We are eagerly anticipating the match," Djiku said at the pre-match press conference.

The versatile defender highlighted the team’s preparation, noting that they have played numerous friendly matches to get ready.

"We have played many friendly matches, and we feel very prepared. We want to make a strong start with our first official game. Regardless of whether we play at home or away, our goal is to win all our matches," he added.

This game will mark manager Jose Mourinho’s official debut for Fenerbahçe and is a crucial step in the club's European campaign for the season.

Djiku, who has been an integral part of the team since his move to Turkey last summer, is looking forward to contributing to a successful start in Europe.