Alex adapts to new Fenerbahçe challenge

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The playmaker had long been hailed in his homeland, where he used to skipper Brazil, but he had yet to make his name in Europe despite three years in Istanbul and a previous brief spell at Parma FC. That all changed last term as Fenerbahçe reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time, with Alex seeming to play a part in every goal with his clever passing and incisive set-pieces. This season's campaign has not gone so smoothly and the Canaries are bottom of Group G, although there is renewed reason for confidence after Wednesday's0-0 draw at Arsenal FC. The timing could not be better with a meeting with Istanbul rivals Galatasaray AŞ to come on Sunday.

Pressure
Alex missed the trip to London because of a thigh injury but could return for the derby. As his side struggle to make up a seven-point gap on early leaders Trabzonspor, he admits there has been more pressure of late, particularly in Europe where Fenerbahçe can no longer slip under the radar. "We are past being the surprise team we were last season, to being a team known by the others," the 31-year-old said. "There's more responsibility for sure. Basically we have the same team but we started the season badly, not only in the Champions League but in Turkey too. It's hard to explain what's happening but we have time to recover."

Aragonés backing
A major change from 2007/08 is the arrival of Luis Aragonés as coach to replace Zico, Alex's predecessor as Brazil captain, after two years in charge. Aragonés is yet to experience the success he had with Spain at UEFA EURO 2008™, but can still count on support from his skipper. "There are some differences between Aragonés and Zico, but even Zico was criticised when he arrived here as we were eliminated from the Champions League by Dynamo Kyiv. So there's a difference between the coaches and an adaptation period and if there's anyone at fault it's us, the players. We are the ones on the pitch. All the teams in the world go through difficult periods."

The long view
Certainly, Alex has no truck with those who have called for another change of coach. "I'm always in favour of working in the long run," the former Coritiba FC, SE Palmeiras, CR Flamengo and Cruzeiro EC player said. "When I came to Fenerbahçe there was criticism of Christoph Daum, who was coach at the time. After his contract finished in came Zico who was also criticised. Zico as well as Christoph Daum remained and were winners. Aragonés came with the record of being a European champion with Spain so there is criticism, but I believe if he stays and is given an opportunity we'll make sure he will continue. I think Aragonés will have success with our team."

Unique atmosphere
Of course, after a long spell in Istanbul he is more than aware of the unique pressure at a club like Fenerbahçe. "It's difficult to explain, you'd have to come to Istanbul and live in Turkey," Alex said. "It's a very different situation the people put the club above all else sometimes, even above their families. So to represent Fenerbahçe is something enormous to me. It's very difficult to look at you or other reporters and say, 'Fenerbahçe represents such and such', the dimensions are too big and only being here in Turkey can you know really what the club represents to everybody." Tune in on Sunday and you will get a clearer idea. With both pride and crucial points at stake against Galatasaray, Aragonés's side can ill afford to slip up again.

To watch parts of this interview in the uefa.com Magazine as well as interviews with Luis Aragonés and Daniel Guiza, click here .