Fernando Muslera’s lengthy, glittering reign at Galatasaray ends Friday evening – one last curtain name at RAMS Park, and it’s throughout.
The 38-year-old Uruguayan goalkeeper, who joined the Turkish giants in 2011, confirmed with emotion that he’ll play his final match in opposition to RAMS Başakşehir within the season finale of the Süper Lig.
“Tomorrow, I’ll play my final minutes,” Muslera stated. “From the first day, I believed I would win trophies here. After 14 proud years, I leave knowing I made the right decision coming to this beautiful country and this incredible club.”
Over 14 seasons, Muslera helped safe 19 trophies in a Galatasaray jersey, making 442 league appearances and turning into a legend between the posts.
Joining him in a bittersweet goodbye is Belgian veteran Dries Mertens.
The 37-year-old, who arrived from Napoli in 2022, will play his one centesimal and last Süper Lig match for the membership, closing out his three-season Turkish stint with 5 trophies.
Champion’s finale
Newly-crowned Süper Lig champions Galatasaray host fifth-place RAMS Başakşehir in Saturday’s closing act of the 2023–24 season. Kickoff is ready for 20:00 native time.
Galatasaray enters the ultimate week 11 factors away from archrival Fenerbahçe, boasting 29 wins, 5 attracts, and only a single loss throughout 35 league matches.
Başakşehir, in the meantime, has recorded 16 victories and 54 factors, securing fifth place.
In the reverse fixture, Galatasaray edged Başakşehir 2-1.
Red-hot type
The Lions are driving a tidal wave of momentum, unbeaten of their final 10 official matches, successful each single one. Since their final loss – by the hands of Beşiktaş in week 29 – Galatasaray have outscored opponents 30-4.
Their run contains dominant league wins in opposition to Samsunspor, Bodrum FK, Trabzonspor, Göztepe, Kayserispor, Sivasspor, and Eyüpspor.
In the Turkish Cup, they knocked out Fenerbahçe, Konyaspor, and Trabzonspor to hoist the silverware.
Most impressively, Galatasaray has stored clear sheets of their final 4 matches, together with a 3-0 Cup Final overcome Trabzonspor.
Fortress RAMS Park
Galatasaray have not misplaced a house league match since May 2023.
They’ve gone 17 video games unbeaten at RAMS Park this season – successful 14 and drawing three – whereas scoring 44 targets and conceding simply 15.
Galatasaray closes the season as each the highest-scoring and least-conceding group within the league. The title winners have netted 89 targets and allowed solely 31 throughout 35 matches.
Key absences
For their last outing, Galatasaray will miss 4 gamers:
Lucas Torreira (on nationwide responsibility)
Alvaro Morata (on nationwide responsibility)
Yunus Akgün and Abdülkerim Bardakcı (injured)
Osimhen’s swansong
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will look to cap off a prolific season by sealing the Süper Lig Golden Boot.
The 26-year-old has struck 25 league targets in 29 appearances and scored 36 in all competitions.
He leads the scoring chart, chased by Başakşehir’s Krzysztof Piatek (21) and Trabzonspor’s Simon Banza (19).
Friday’s match may additionally mark Osimhen’s farewell. Signed on mortgage from Napoli, his contract expires after the ultimate whistle – and it’s unclear whether or not Galatasaray will set off a everlasting deal.
Source: www.dailysabah.com