Turkish giants Galatasaray will face the Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague on Thursday within the UEFA Europa League playoff spherical, marking their fifth encounter in historical past.
Having completed third of their group within the UEFA Champions League this season, the Lions proceed their journey within the UEFA Europa League.
Meanwhile, Sparta Prague, additionally competing within the continental second tier, reached the playoff spherical because the group runner-up.
The pair will conflict for the fifth time of their historical past, in search of an early benefit within the first leg.
The two groups have beforehand met in two matchups, taking part in 4 matches in whole.
Their first encounter came about within the 1995-1996 UEFA Cup qualifiers.
The Turkish giants took a 3-1 thumping within the first match within the Czech Republic however managed a one-all impasse in Istanbul.
While Galatasaray bid farewell to Europe after two matches, Sparta Prague superior.
Their second encounter was within the 1997-1998 UEFA Champions League Group A.
Prague received the primary match within the Czech Republic 3-0, however Galatasaray triumphed 2-0 within the second match performed in Istanbul.
The Istanbulites completed final within the group with Borussia Dortmund and Parma, whereas Sparta Prague continued within the UEFA Cup by putting third.
In all 4 matches in opposition to Sparta Prague, Galatasaray’s present coach, Okan Buruk, was on the bench as a participant.
However, this time round, he might be stirring within the coach’s chair, aiming to safe an advantageous rating in opposition to a workforce he doesn’t have fond reminiscences of.
Galatasaray have confronted the Czech sides eight instances earlier than, together with 4 matches in opposition to Sparta Prague.
They additionally performed in opposition to Banik Ostrava and Mlada Boleslav twice every, selecting up three wins, two attracts and three losses on the way in which.
On the opposite hand, Prague have confronted Turkish groups 14 instances, together with 4 matches in opposition to Galatasaray.
They additionally performed in opposition to Fenerbahçe 4 instances, Beşiktaş, Trabzonspor and Denizlispor twice every, securing six wins, six losses and two attracts in these matchups.
As Galatasaray put together to host Sparta Prague on Thursday, they are going to embark on their 315th match on the continental stage.
The Süper Lig giants have received 112 out of 314 matches in European cups, with 118 losses and 84 attracts.
They have scored 423 objectives however have conceded 466 of their European campaigns.
In their final 24 European matches, Galatasaray have suffered defeat solely 4 instances, showcasing their sturdy efficiency.
Throughout the 2021-2022 season, they performed a complete of 24 matches, together with the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Champions League qualifiers and group stage matches, securing 11 wins, 9 attracts, and 4 losses.
This season, Galatasaray confronted Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Copenhagen, managing a single win, two attracts and three defeats.
Their efficiency relegated them to the Europa League.
Galatasaray have a wealthy historical past on the continental stage, successful the UEFA Cup within the 1999-2000 season.
They have additionally received the UEFA Super Cup, defeating Real Madrid in 2000.
Aside from these triumphs, Galatasaray have achieved quite a few vital successes in Europe.
They have reached the semifinals and quarterfinals within the Champion Clubs’ Cup and have been among the many final eight groups within the UEFA Champions League 3 times.
Galatasaray have had memorable victories in opposition to high golf equipment like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Juventus, Manchester United, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal in European competitions.
In the previous, Galatasaray skilled each disappointment and fortune in European cups when two groups could not win and needed to resort to a draw.
They have been eradicated as soon as by Zurich within the 1963-64 Champion Clubs’ Cup and superior as soon as in opposition to Spartak Trnava within the 1969-70 season.
Galatasaray’s largest victory in European cups got here in opposition to Maccabi Netanya, successful 6-0 within the 2009-2010 UEFA Europa League third qualifying spherical rematch.
Their largest defeats have been in opposition to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, each ending in 6-0 losses.
Source: www.dailysabah.com