Turkish Süper Lig reigning champions Galatasaray shall be on the highway to face off towards Czech facet Sparta Prague within the UEFA Europa League spherical of 16 playoffs on Thursday, aiming to construct on their first-leg 3-2 win.
The Lions method the Prague tie excessive on confidence after an ideal 10-match run.
Galatasaray have been on a successful streak, defeating Kayserispor, Trabzonspor, Istanbulspor, Gaziantep, Samsunspor, Başakşehir and Ankaragücü within the Süper Lig, knocking out Ümraniyespor and Bandırmaspor within the Turkish Cup.
They additionally secured a victory towards Sparta Prague within the Europa League playoffs opening leg.
Sparta Prague and Galatasaray have confronted one another a complete of 5 instances in European competitions, three within the Europa League and twice within the Champions League.
In these matches, the Istanbulites emerged victorious twice, whereas the Czech crew received twice with the opposite match ending in a impasse.
In these matches, Galatasaray scored seven targets whereas Prague scored 9 targets.
Continental stage
In European competitions, Galatasaray have performed 315 matches, securing 113 wins, enduring 118 defeats and drawing 84 instances, with 426 targets scored and 468 targets conceded.
Galatasaray has taken to the sector 93 instances within the competitors organized underneath the names of the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Europa League.
The delight’s chief, Okan Buruk has been with the reins in 13 matches in European competitions throughout his teaching profession at Galatasaray.
Buruk, who led Galatasaray in 12 matches within the Champions League group stage and as soon as within the Europa League, received seven instances, misplaced 3 times and likewise drew 3 times.
9 matches towards Czech groups
Galatasaray has performed 9 official matches towards Czech representatives in European competitions. The Lions confronted Banik Ostrava, Sparta Prague, and Mlada Boleslav in these 9 matches and achieved 4 victories, two attracts and three defeats.
The hosts Sparta Prague shall be with out three gamers attributable to card suspensions forward of the Galatasaray dance.
Matej Rynes, who obtained a pink card within the reverse leg and Veljko Birmancevic and Ladislav Krejci, who have been suspended attributable to yellow playing cards, will be unable to take part within the match.
Argentine fireman Mauro Icardi would be the man to observe as he’s the highest scorer for Galatasaray in European competitions this season.
Icardi has shaken the nets 5 instances within the Champions League group stage and qualifiers, and as soon as within the Europa League.
The 31-year-old participant is adopted by Kerem Akturkoglu and Dries Mertens with three targets every, and Hakim Ziyech with two.
The Turkish giants will nevertheless be with out some ley faces in Danish defender Victor Nelsson who will be unable to play within the rematch attributable to receiving a pink card within the first match.
Hakim Ziyech and Serge Aurier, who’re nonetheless injured, may also not be capable to play.
Source: www.dailysabah.com