Galatasaray Targets 18th Champions League Appearance: Okan Buruk’s Strategic Lineup Against Young Boys

Galatasaray Aims for 18th Champions League Appearance! Okan Buruk’s Surprise Lineup for Young Boys…

The match will kick off at 22:00 Turkish time at Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, officiated by German referee Daniel Siebert, and will be broadcast live on TRT 1. Galatasaray, who has participated in the Champions League 17 times before, aims to eliminate the Swiss side and secure their place in the new 36-team format.

Looking to reach the Champions League group stage for the 18th time in their history, Galatasaray faces the final obstacle in the form of Young Boys in today’s play-off first leg in Switzerland. The match at Wankdorf Stadium in Bern will kick off at 22:00 Turkish time, with German referee Daniel Siebert in charge, and will be broadcast on TRT 1 and the Tabii platform. Galatasaray’s head coach, Okan Buruk, will not be on the sidelines today or for the return leg in Istanbul due to a suspension. Barış Alper Yılmaz made a sacrifice to not leave the team alone.
Kaan Ayhan, who is also suspended, and Barış Alper Yılmaz, who has been dealing with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to food poisoning, did not travel with the squad. However, the star player responded well to treatment and joined the team in Switzerland via a private jet. Davinson Sanchez, who is still injured, stayed in Istanbul. Wilfried Zaha, who did not want to play in the matches against Hatay and Konya due to ongoing transfer negotiations, is not expected to feature today either. Derrick Köhn, who missed the Konya match due to an upper respiratory infection, will be a game-time decision.
7 Direct Qualifications, 10 Through Playoffs

Galatasaray has competed in the Champions League 17 times in their history, 7 times directly qualifying for the group stage and 10 times making it through the playoffs. The Lions have made it to Europe’s premier competition 7 times through a single playoff round, twice through two rounds, and once after three rounds. The goal now is to return from the first leg with a favorable result and secure progression to the group stage for the 18th time with a win in the return leg on Tuesday, August 27th in Istanbul, thereby securing a spot in the new 36-team format.
88% – GALATASARAY has the highest progression rate among teams that have played at least 10 Champions League qualifiers, advancing in 14 out of 16 ties for an 88% success rate.
6 – GALATASARAY is facing Young Boys for the first time in Europe and has defeated all 6 Swiss teams they have faced so far. The Lions have also beaten Swiss teams more than any other country in Europe (11 wins).
5 – Mauro Icardi has contributed to half of Galatasaray’s last 10 goals in European competitions, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists in this span.
12 – Since joining Galatasaray in the 2020-21 season, Kerem Aktürkoğlu has been involved in the most goals for the club in European competitions, with 6 goals and 6 assists.