Türkiye’s very personal Galatasaray gear as much as host Denmark’s Copenhagen at RAMS Park of their first match of the UEFA Champions League Group A on Wednesday.
The Lions are poised to ship a powerful message as they reenter the stage of European soccer’s most interesting, marking their return after a hiatus for the reason that 2019-20 season.
Whereas Galatasaray clinched the Süper Lig title final season, they discovered themselves within the UEFA Champions League’s second qualifying spherical resulting from their nation’s rating.
Undeterred, they powered by Lithuania’s Zalgiris, Slovenia’s Olimpija and Norway’s Molde to safe a spot within the group stage.
On paper, the trail to the knockout phases in Group A seems to be a towering problem, with Galatasaray set to face off in opposition to the Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, English Premier League icons Manchester United and, in fact, Denmark’s very personal Copenhagen.
It’s the begin of their journey within the “Champions League,” they usually’ll face Copenhagen in entrance of their devoted followers in Istanbul.
The Istanbulites are fervently plotting a triumphant begin to their UEFA Champions League marketing campaign, hoping to gather all three factors in entrance of their passionate supporters.
In the meantime, Copenhagen, the reigning champions of the Danish Superliga, launched into their Champions League journey from the second qualifying spherical as nicely.
They displayed their prowess by eliminating Iceland’s Breidablik, Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague and Poland’s Rakow to succeed in the group stage.
Because the pivotal showdown approaches, Galatasaray boast a full squad and the brand new signing Wilfried Zaha, recent from an intensive particular person coaching program, is likely one of the stars to regulate.
Nonetheless, Halil Dervişoğlu, who was not included within the UEFA roster, will be unable to grace the sphere for tomorrow’s conflict.
Galatasaray’s current observe report has been spectacular, with no losses of their final 16 official matches.
Their final defeat got here within the thirty second week of final season’s derby in opposition to Beşiktaş, after which they went on to win six league matches (together with a 3-0 victory over Hatayspor by forfeit).
The Lions have carried their profitable momentum into this season, securing eight victories and two attracts in 10 matches throughout each the Süper Lig and UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Copenhagen, however, have had a stable begin to their home league marketing campaign, with six wins, one draw, and one loss within the Danish Superliga’s first eight weeks.
In addition they notched up 4 wins and two losses through the Champions League qualifiers.
Galatasaray’s star striker, Mauro Icardi, who performed a pivotal position of their championship-winning marketing campaign final season, guarantees to be a game-changer as soon as once more within the match in opposition to Copenhagen.
The Argentine maestro has had a blinding begin to the season, discovering the online eight occasions in eight official matches.
Icardi’s scoring prowess has been evident, with 5 targets within the final three Süper Lig matches and three targets within the final three UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Within the final six official matches, he has constantly altered the course of the sport in favor of his staff.
Including an intriguing subplot to this conflict, Galatasaray’s Danish defender, Victor Nelsson, can be dealing with his former membership.
The 24-year-old defensive stalwart, who switched from Copenhagen to Galatasaray in 2021, is set to safe victory in opposition to his former teammates.
In Copenhagen’s lineup, the acquainted face of former Trabzonspor ahead Andreas Cornelius might be discovered.
Nonetheless, his participation within the match stays unsure resulting from harm.
Followers should wait till after in the present day’s coaching session at RAMS Park to study whether or not Cornelius will grace the sphere.