In their quest for a robust begin to the 2024-25 Europa League, Galatasaray and PAOK will face off at RAMS Park on Wednesday, every vying for optimum factors on the opening matchday.
The hosts, having been eradicated within the Champions League playoff qualifying spherical, dropped into this competitors, whereas the guests secured their spot with a powerful 6-0 mixture victory within the Europa League playoff spherical.
After clinching back-to-back Turkish Süper Lig titles and making historical past as the primary Turkish group to surpass 100 factors with a exceptional 102 final season, Galatasaray are decided to proceed their success this 12 months.
Despite a disappointing begin to the 2024-25 season, the place they suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Beşiktaş within the Turkish Super Cup on opening day, Okan Buruk’s aspect has made a shocking restoration.
They have gained all six of their preliminary league matches, establishing a commanding five-point lead on the high of the desk.
Unfortunately for Buruk, Galatasaray couldn’t carry their home success into the Champions League playoff qualifying spherical, struggling a disappointing 4-2 mixture loss to Young Boys that relegated them to Europe’s second-tier event.
However, this elimination may show to be a blessing in disguise for the Lions, as they possess a star-studded lineup, highlighted by the sudden summer time mortgage signing of Victor Osimhen, positioning them for a deep run within the competitors.
With 4 consecutive victories, together with a strong 3-1 win over Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray enter their league section opener in opposition to PAOK brimming with confidence.
Their Greek opponents gained’t be a straightforward problem, as they enter this match with only one defeat of their final 16 aggressive outings throughout all competitions.
That lone defeat was a heartbreaking one for Razvan Lucescu’s aspect, who fell 4-3 in further time throughout their Champions League third-round qualifying tie in opposition to Malmo.
PAOK was main 3-2 within the dying minutes earlier than conceding a stoppage-time equalizer that pushed the match into further time, the place they finally surrendered a 99th-minute winner, leading to a 6-5 mixture loss that relegated them to the Europa League qualifying rounds.
Similar to their Wednesday hosts, PAOK have remarkably recovered from that crushing defeat, securing victories in six of their subsequent seven matches, together with a commanding 6-0 mixture conquer Shamrock Rovers to qualify for this competitors.
Now, PAOK goals to kick off their league section with momentum as they attempt to succeed in the knockout rounds of the Europa League for the primary time because the 2016-17 season, after they had been eradicated 4-1 by Schalke 04 within the spherical of 32.
Galatasaray can be with out their first-choice goalkeeper for the opening matches of the Europa League after Fernando Muslera acquired a straight crimson card within the 87th minute of their 1-0 second-leg defeat to Young Boys within the Champions League playoff spherical.
In Muslera’s absence, 33-year-old Günay Güvenç was substituted in through the remaining moments of that match and is predicted to take the beginning place on Wednesday.
Osimhen, nonetheless looking for his first purpose in a Galatasaray shirt, has contributed assists in each of his appearances and is anticipated to be within the beginning lineup for this significant encounter.
Galatasaray is predicted to subject an analogous lineup to the one which triumphed 3-1 over Fenerbahçe, with Gabriel Sara partnering Lucas Torreira on the base of midfield whereas Dries Mertens takes on a extra superior function.
On the opposite hand, PAOK is more likely to be lacking three gamers as a consequence of harm issues: Andrija Zivkovic (hip), Antonis Tsiftsis (abdomen), and Brandon (ankle) are all anticipated to be sidelined.
Meanwhile, PAOK may deploy a lineup akin to the one which secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Volos final weekend, that includes top-scorer Stefan Schwab teaming up with Mady Camara in midfield.
Source: www.dailysabah.com