Galatasaray are set to host Bundesliga juggernauts Bayern Munich on Tuesday within the third matchday of the UEFA Champions League Group A.
Galatasaray opened their group stage marketing campaign with an exciting 2-2 draw in opposition to Danish facet Copenhagen in Istanbul.
They then produced a spectacular comeback to stun English giants Manchester United 3-2 of their second outing.
The Lions at present discover themselves perched second within the group, boasting 4 factors.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich has been formidable as they initiated their Champions League journey with an exciting 4-3 victory over Manchester United at residence, adopted by a 2-1 away win in opposition to Copenhagen.
As issues stand, the Bavarians comfortably reign on the prime of the group with 6 factors to their title.
However, right here is the twist – the massive query swirling within the air is whether or not Mauro Icardi, Galatasaray’s star striker, might be match to play in opposition to Bayern Munich.
The Argentine sensation, a prolific objective scorer and a pivotal drive within the staff, suffered a knock throughout a Süper Lig derby conflict in opposition to Beşiktaş.
The medical staff detected harm and bleeding within the outer tendon group of his proper ankle, with a ultimate resolution on his availability set to be made on match day.
However, there’s some good news for the Galatasaray devoted.
Hakim Ziyech, who was sidelined with an damage following the Süper Lig fixture in opposition to Başakşehir within the fifth week, is ready to make his return.
Should coach Okan Buruk determine to unleash him, Ziyech might make a major affect within the battle in opposition to Bayern Munich.
Galatasaray have been on a exceptional undefeated streak, refusing to bow to defeat of their final 23 official matches.
The final time they tasted defeat was in a derby in opposition to Beşiktaş in the course of the thirty second week of the earlier season.
Since then, they’ve gained six consecutive league video games, together with one by a walkover resolution over Hatayspor, and this season, they’ve notched up 14 victories in 17 appearances, together with home and Champions League clashes.
For Bayern Munich, it’s not all clean crusing, as 4 of their key gamers, Dayot Upamecano, Serge Gnabry, Raphael Guerreiro and Leon Goretzka, might be sidelined because of accidents.
The destiny of veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who can be recovering from an damage, stays unsure.
Bayern Munich’s Champions League observe report is one thing to marvel at.
In the final six seasons, they haven’t succumbed to defeat on the group stage.
They have been just about unstoppable, with latest campaigns in 2022-2023, 2021-2022 and 2019-2020 seeing them declare victory in all their group-stage matches.
In 2020-2021, they secured 5 wins and one draw; and in 2018-2019, they recorded 4 wins and two attracts.
Their final group stage loss dates again to the 2017-2018 season in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain.
Clash chronicles
As the Lions put together to prey on the Bavarians of their third group-stage showdown, it’s a conflict to maintain your eyes on.
In three conferences, the Turkish and German giants have beforehand locked horns twice, with Bayern Munich prevailing as soon as and a solitary draw and a complete of eight objectives between them.
Galatasaray have a wealthy historical past of 310 official European matches.
Their journey consists of 112 victories, 115 defeats and 83 attracts.
While they’ve celebrated 418 objectives, they’ve additionally endured the sting of 457 objectives conceded.
In 118 UEFA Champions League group-stage video games, Galatasaray boast 29 wins, 59 losses and 30 attracts.
While their attacking prowess has seen them web 117 objectives, their defensive report exhibits 201 objectives allowed.
When it involves going through German opponents in Europe, Galatasaray have a report of 9 wins, 10 losses, and 11 attracts in 30 official matches in opposition to groups like Magdeburg, Bayern Munich, Uerdingen, Stahl, Werder Bremen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund, Hertha Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburg and Schalke 04.
Okan Buruk, with 25 European encounters underneath his belt as a coach, together with 17 with Başakşehir and eight with Galatasaray, has secured 12 wins, 10 losses and three attracts.
At the helm of Galatasaray, his report in European competitions stands at six wins and two attracts in eight matches.
Galatasaray’s invincibility is one thing to behold.
Since their final defeat, they’ve strung collectively a exceptional sequence of 20 matches with out a loss, that includes 15 wins and 5 attracts throughout Süper Lig, Champions League qualifiers and the group stage.
Harry Kane-inspired Bayern Munich, alternatively, have been a formidable drive within the Bundesliga this season, remaining unbeaten with six wins and two attracts of their first eight video games, sitting comfortably positioned third with 20 factors.
Despite the percentages, Galatasaray stay a real drive to be reckoned with as they lock horns with Bayern Munich as soon as once more.
Mauro Icardi, the Argentine sensation for Galatasaray, continues to be a prolific scorer, having netted 14 instances in 15 official matches this season.
His spectacular tally consists of 10 objectives within the Süper Lig, three within the Champions League qualifiers, and one within the group stage.
Source: www.dailysabah.com