Galatasaray dare Young Boys in Champions League play-off
After last week’s five-goal thriller in Switzerland, Galatasaray and Young Boys reconvene in Istanbul today, as they fight for a place in the new Champions’ League group stage.
Both national champions, the two sides played out an entertaining first leg, in which a late penalty earned the Swiss side a precious lead to take to Turkey.
Meeting for the first leg of their Champions League play-off last week, Galatasaray and Young Boys engaged in a battle royale at Wankdorf Stadium, which witnessed an absorbing contest that leaves the tie finely poised.
After trailing by two goals at the break, Gala flipped the script when substitute Michy Batshuayi struck twice shortly after leaving the bench the first coming from his very first touch.
However, when Abdulkerim Bardakci handled the ball an offence for which he was shown a second yellow card Filip Ugrinic fired home a late penalty to earn a 3-2 win for the reigning Swiss champions.
Having narrowly failed to hang on for a draw, Galatasaray have now lost their last four European away matches after going unbeaten through the previous 10 and they return to Turkey with a deficit to make up.
Although they will have a lead to preserve on Tuesday night, thanks to that late Ugrinic spot kick and two Joel Monteiro goals at either end of the first half, Young Boys might have been within touching distance of effectively wrapping up qualification.
Speedy winger, Ebrima Colley, hit the post before Batshuayi intervened, and what could have been a 3-0 lead then evaporated, as YB’s defensive woes continued.
The Swiss champions are still searching for their first Super League win after five matches, having gone into the new season aiming to extend their dominance: three straight defeats left them rock bottom, before successive champions league results 2-2 draws belatedly got some points on the board.
As Abdulkerim Bardakci is banned due to his sending-off in the first leg, Gala coach, Okan Buruk, must make at least one change to his starting XI.
Furthermore, captain and first-choice goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, came off injured last week, so Gunay Guvenc may be required to deputise, while Kaan Ayhan returns from suspension just in time to feature in defence.
Davinson Sanchez has been sidelined by injury, and the Colombian centre-back joins experienced winger, Wilfried Zaha, in being strongly linked with a move away from Istanbul before the transfer window slides shut.
Despite his heroics in Bern, Michy Batshuayi is set to start on the bench, as Mauro Icardi again leads the line, having racked up 32 goals and 12 assists across all competitions last season.
Young Boys, meanwhile, will be unable to call upon Facinet Conte and Saidy Janko, but Kastriot Imeri has now recovered from an ankle injury.
Like Gala, YB lost their goalkeeper during last week’s match, as injury victim David Von Ballmoos was replaced by Marcel Keller; the 22-year-old may have to stand in again on Tuesday.
In other games tonight, Red Bull Salzburg aims to finish the job with a 2-0 advantage when they host Dynamo Kiev at the Red Bull Arena in Austria while Sparta Prague welcome Swedish side Malmo, with a 2-0 victory from last week’s trip to Malmo.
