Champions LeagueThe opposition lowdown: Galatasaray
Get the lowdown on Galatasaray ahead of the opening leg of Liverpool's Champions League last-16 tie against the Turkish Super Lig outfit.
Season so far
Reigning Turkish title-holders Galatasaray hold a four-point advantage at the top of their domestic standings currently.
So far this season they have won 19, drawn four and lost just twice during their 25 games played in the league.
They enter this meeting with Liverpool following a 1-0 victory over Besiktas on Saturday.
In the Champions League league phase, Galatasaray finished 20th in the table – winning three and losing four, while playing out one draw – resulting in them progressing into the knockout play-offs.
To reach the last 16, they defeated Juventus 7-5 over two legs, requiring extra-time in Turin to progress through and set up a clash with the Reds.
Key players
Victor Osimhen is Galatasaray's leading goalscorer this season across all competitions.
The forward has hit the target an impressive 18 times in 26 appearances so far, while also providing six assists.
Mauro Icardi has struck on 15 occasions and Baris Alper Yilmaz has found the back of the net 10 times and also leads the team in assists (14).
Yunus Akgun has scored eight and set up a teammate seven times, and Leroy Sane has scored six and assisted eight.
Previous meeting
Liverpool and Galatasaray met in this competition in September during the league phase, at RAMS Park.
The hosts prevailed 1-0 on the night after scoring a penalty through Osimhen on the stroke of half-time, which proved enough to settle the contest.
Team news
Galatasaray only have defender Arda Unyay absent. He has been sidelined in recent months due to injury.
Abdulkerim Bardakci, Ismail Jakobs, Noa Lang, Osimhen, Roland Sallai, Davinson Sanchez and Ugurcan Cakir are each one yellow card away from a suspension in the second leg.
What they said
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk
"The first leg is the most important one. There are big teams – 16 big teams – on the same path as us and we all have a chance to progress. Our goal is to gain the advantage in the first match against Liverpool."
Pre-match stats
- Galatasaray have suffered defeat in only one of their last 10 home games in Europe, losing 1-0 to Union SG during the league phase
- With 26, Galatasaray have received more yellow cards in this season's competition than any other team
- They have won each of their last five matches on home soil in all competitions and are unbeaten in the last seven at RAMS Park
- Buruk played for Galatasaray against Liverpool in December 2006 and scored in a 3-2 victory