Turkish Süper Lig defending champions Galatasaray and Swiss aspect Young Boys conflict within the first leg of their Champions League playoff, every only a step away from securing a spot within the group stage.
Both groups, having clinched home titles final season, now face off on this pivotal matchup at Bern’s Wankdorf Stadium.
Galatasaray is set to hitch Europe’s elite after narrowly edging out Fenerbahçe for the Turkish Süper Lig title within the 2023-24 season.
With a file 102 factors wanted to beat Fenerbahçe’s problem, the Lions are actually targeted on outshining their rivals as soon as extra, particularly after Fenerbahçe’s latest exit from Champions League qualifying within the third spherical.
Securing their third consecutive title – and the twenty fifth within the membership’s historical past – ensured head coach Okan Buruk’s place, however their performances this season have but to match final 12 months’s success.
After a combined preseason, Galatasaray endured a heavy 5-0 defeat to Beşiktaş within the Turkish Super Cup and scraped a slender victory of their league opener in opposition to Hatayspor, requiring two late objectives to safe the win.
They bounced again with a 2-1 away conquer Konyaspor final week, with Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Barış Alper Yılmaz discovering the online.
Having been eradicated within the group stage of final 12 months’s Champions League and the Europa League’s spherical of 32, Galatasaray now refocus on their quest to qualify for UEFA’s premier competitors.
Having reached the group stage in two of the previous three seasons, Young Boys are desirous to safe their return to Europe’s high competitors within the coming days.
However, their early-season kind suggests a difficult highway forward within the playoffs.
The reigning Swiss Super League champions are nonetheless looking for their first league win after 5 matches, with solely the storied Grasshopper Zurich under them within the standings.
With six titles within the final decade, Young Boys entered the brand new season aiming to keep up their dominance.
However, three consecutive defeats initially left them on the backside, earlier than they managed to earn some factors with successive 2-2 attracts in opposition to FC Zurich and Yverdon Sport.
New supervisor Patrick Rahmen is already feeling the warmth to ship a swift turnaround, particularly along with his group having conceded a staggering 13 objectives to date.
Last season, underneath former coach Raphael Wicky, the Bern membership completed third in a Champions League group that included Manchester City, RB Leipzig, and Red Star Belgrade, earlier than falling to Sporting within the Europa League knockout spherical.
Now, their focus is on advancing to the expanded 36-team group section, which might assure them eight high-profile matches between September and January.
Injury woes
Galatasaray is not going to solely be lacking Davinson Sanchez attributable to harm but additionally fellow defender Kaan Ayhan, who will probably be sidelined for the journey to Switzerland due to a suspension.
Derrick Kohn, who was already out with a chest an infection final week, stays a doubt.
Additionally, summer season signing Gabriel Sara, who featured in Friday’s away victory over Konyaspor, has left for England to be along with his girlfriend, who’s about to provide delivery.
In Sanchez’s absence, Victor Nelsson could group up with Abdulkerim Bardakcı in central protection, whereas Sara’s departure may see Lucas Torreira accomplice with Kerem Demirbay in central midfield.
Mauro Icardi as soon as once more leads the assault, having already discovered the online this season.
The former Inter Milan striker notched a powerful 32 objectives and 12 assists throughout all competitions final time period, together with three objectives in European play.
Young Boys, in the meantime, will probably be with out Facinet Conte and Saidy Janko. Swiss worldwide Kastriot Imeri, who spent a lot of final season injured, has lately suffered an ankle harm that may hold him sidelined till September.
Patrick Rahmen made a number of modifications in a dominant weekend cup win over Printse-Nendaz, the place his group scored 10 objectives.
Cedric Itten scored a hattrick, however Silvere Ganvoula and Meschak Elia could presently be forward of the previous Rangers striker within the choice pecking order.
Source: www.dailysabah.com