Third time lucky for Fenerbahçe?

A 2-0 victory in the first instalment of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against S.S. Lazio puts Fenerbahçe SK in a healthy position to reach the last four of a UEFA competition for the first time. Pierre Webó's penalty and Dirk Kuyt's late strike accounted for their ten-man opponents at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

However, as UEFA.com discovers, the Yellow Canaries have won at home in the first leg at this stage before and not progressed. Therefore, their supporters will do well to approach Thursday's denouement in Rome with caution as Aykut Kocaman's side strive to take another step towards emulating Galatasaray AŞ's run to the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup final.

Fenerbahçe's previous European quarter-finals:

UEFA Champions League
02/04/2008: Fenerbahçe SK 2-1 Chelsea FC
08/04/2008: Chelsea FC 2-0 Fenerbahçe SK (agg: 3-2)
The scorer of an early own goal in Istanbul, Deivid redeemed himself with a superb late effort to settle the first leg, London-born substitute Colin Kazım Richards having equalised against Chelsea on 65 minutes with a neat left-footed finish.

Lampard celebrates his goal at Stamford Bridge©Getty Images

"We couldn't say we are happy to get this far, because we are disappointed," said Fenerbahçe coach Zico. "The players showed enthusiasm, discipline and great character, but in the end we are very sorry we cannot continue this journey."

European Cup Winners' Cup
27/02/1964: MTK Budapest 2-0 Fenerbahçe SK
06/03/1964: Fenerbahçe SK 3-1 MTK Budapest
18/03/1964: MTK Budapest 1-0 Fenerbahçe SK
(replay at neutral venue in Rome)
Beaten 2-0 in Hungary first time out, Fenerbahçe were set for the semi-finals when Ogün Altıparmak put the hosts three to the good with his second of the return match, with 15 minutes remaining in Istanbul. There was a sting in the tail, though, as László Bödör – a first-leg scorer – forced a replay in Italy. There would be nothing to separate the sides in Rome until István Kuti landed the decisive blow in the 86th minute.