Bayern Munich will look to maintain their perfect record in the UEFA Champions League Group A when they make the trip to Rams Global Stadium for a clash with Galatasaray.
It is a top-of-the-table clash in Group A of the UEFA Champions League as Bayern Munich travels to Galatasaray. Both sides have started this season like a house on fire, and, given their current form, we anticipate a thrilling contest at Rams Park.
Galatasaray come into this one with high morale high following their 2-1 derby win over Besiktas on Saturday. The Super Lig powerhouse are still yet to taste defeat this season and have made a solid enough start in the Champions League, still unbeaten after two matches.
Having kicked things off with a hard-fought 2-2 draw with FC Copenhagen, they picked up a 3-2 victory at Manchester United in their previous fixture. They come into Tuesday’s encounter off the back of a 2-1 victory over Besiktas in a Super Lig fixture with Mauro Icardi netting a brace.
As good as Galatasaray have looked in the Champions League, Bayern Munich head to Turkey on the back of a perfect 100% record in the competition, beginning with a 4-3 victory over Manchester United before edging out Copenhagen 2-1 last time out.
They made the trip to Rams Global Stadium on the back of a 3-1 victory over Mainz in a Bundesliga fixture last Saturday, making it three wins on the spin in all competitions. Thomas Tuchel’s side haven’t suffered a defeat since the 3-0 Super Cup defeat to RB Leipzig back in August.
Team News & Tactics
Galatasaray
🎥 💪 ⚽️
🔜 #GSvFCB pic.twitter.com/u0rdxgKAxw
— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) October 22, 2023
Galatasaray have been boosted by the news that Hakim Ziyech is back in training after injury, while ex-Arsenal man Lucas Torreira, who suffered a second-half injury in the Manchester United game, but has now fully recovered and started his side’s win over Besiktas, leaving Okan Buruk with a fully-fit squad to choose from for this match.
Buruk could stick to the same starting lineup from their win over Besiktas last time out. Fernando Muslera is an automatic starter in between the sticks, with the visitors lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him.
Buruk has seen his high-flyers score in each of their last 13 matches across all competitions, and they possess one of Europe’s most in-form strikers, Mauro Icardi, who will be flanked by tricky wingers Tete and Wilfried Zaha.
The high-quality attack will be completed by Turkish international Kerem Akturkoglu, who operates as the playmaker in the number 10 position. In midfield, Lucas Torreira and Kerem Demirbay provide the required creativity and tenacity.
The Turks strengthened their defence in the summer with the signing of Colombian centre-back Davinson Sanchez, also in line for a starting role in the middle of the defence alongside Abdulkerim Bardakci. Angelino should start at left back, whereas Sacha Boey will start on the opposite side, meaning Victor Nelsson misses out.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Muslera; Boey, Sanchez, Bardacki, Angelino; Demirbay, Torreira; Tete, Akturkoglu, Zaha; Icardi
Bayern Munich
Although Manuel Neuer has returned to full training, it seems unlikely that the 37-year-old will unseat deputy Sven Ulreich anytime soon and should be named on the bench. Raphael Guerreiro (thigh) and Dayot Upamecano (hamstring) remain sidelined for the visitors, while Serge Gnabry (arm), Gabriel Marusic (ACL), and Tarek Buchmann (hamstring) all remain doubts for the midweek.
Midfielder Leon Gortezka will be assessed after he broke his finger, and if he misses out, Konrad Laimer may move into midfield to partner Joshua Kimmich in the engine room. With Noussair Mazraoui out with a muscle issue, Bouna Sarr could deputise at right-back.
ℹ️ Leon Goretzka suffered a hand fracture in Saturday's game against Mainz, as confirmed by a scan carried out by the medical department.
Goretzka underwent a successful operation on Sunday and is set to miss the upcoming matches.
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) October 22, 2023
Matthijs de Ligt was fit enough to join Kim Min-jae in central defence at the weekend, while a marauding Alphonso Davies should continue at left-back. Serge Gnabry is nearing his return from a fractured forearm. But his status is unknown as of yet, which means star striker Harry Kane should be supported by Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman, with Jamal Musiala
Kane, in particular, is enjoying a fine start to the season, scoring ten goals across all competitions. The England striker will surely be the one to watch this Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ulreich; Sarr, Kim, Upamecano, Davies; Laimer, Kimmich; Coman, Musiala, Sane; Kane
Key Stats
- This is the first meeting between Galatasaray and Bayern Munich since the 1972/73 European Cup first round, with Gala drawing 1-1 at home before a 6-0 away defeat in the second leg.
- Thomas Tuchel’s side are currently on an 11-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
- Galatasaray are unbeaten in their 17 matches across all competitions this season (W14 D3).
- The Turkish giants have never won a Champions League home game against German opposition before (D3 L2).
- Tuchel’s men have won ten of their last 11 away matches across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Mauro Icardi
We could have easily picked Harry Kane for this section. But Mauro Icardi deserves all the flowers for his career turnaround since moving over to Turkey. The former Inter Milan ace made his move to Gala from Paris Saint-Germain permanent over the summer. And he has not stopped scoring since, netting 14 in 13 appearances to date this season.
The 30-year-old has been the standout player for Galatasaray this term and continued his red-hot scoring streak with a brace in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig. He was also the star of the show in Gala’s historic Champions League victory against Manchester United last time out.
Prediction
Galatasaray 2-3 Bayern Munich
The Turks are unbeaten in the competition, and an in-form attacking crop should be able to exploit a depleted Bayern backline. But the visitors will mark a huge step up in quality for Okan Buruk’s side, have that extra bit of quality, and should have the upper hand in an entertaining, high-scoring contest here.
