Nicolas Anelka has praised Fenerbahce following Chelsea's 2-1 defeat in Turkey.
Chelsea striker impressed by former club
Nicolas Anelka has praised Fenerbahce following Chelsea's 2-1 defeat in Turkey in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
Avram Grant's side were firm favourites to progress and they took the lead when Deivid put through his own net after just 13 minutes.
However, Fenerbahce hit back to take control of the tie ahead of next week's return leg at Stamford Bridge.
Anelka, who enjoyed a stint at Fenerbahce from 2005 to 2006, insists his former club were not underestimated.
The Frenchman was impressed by the way they played but remains confident that Chelsea can overturn the deficit.
"We knew it would be difficult, with that very attacking new Turkish football," Anelka told Canal +.
"Opening the scoring, we believed we achieved the most difficult part of the job.
"We had a lot of opportunities, but their fans showed great support, so they scored and they got back trust.
"Despite that result, we have good hopes thanks to our away goal."
