The Truth About Zaha at Galatasaray! Why Didn’t He Play Against Young Boys?
Galatasaray was defeated 1-0 by Swiss team Young Boys in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Play-off Round, saying goodbye to the prestigious competition. After the defeat, the club faced harsh criticism, and another hot topic was Wilfred Zaha’s absence from the match squad. The reasons behind the experienced player’s absence have now been revealed.
Controversy Surrounding Zaha Grows After Galatasaray’s Champions League Exit
Galatasaray played the second leg of the Champions League Play-off Round against Young Boys at home. After losing 3-2 in the first leg in Switzerland, Galatasaray suffered another defeat, 1-0, in the return match, resulting in a 4-2 aggregate score and their exit from the tournament. The yellow-reds will continue their journey in the UEFA Europa League, entering directly into the group stage.
Why Was Wilfred Zaha Not Included in the Match Squad?
Another focal point of criticism after the match was Wilfred Zaha. The Ivorian star was reported to be ill, which prevented him from participating in the last training session and led to his exclusion from the squad for the Young Boys match. However, new revelations after the game have fueled further debate.
The Real Reason Behind Zaha’s Absence Revealed
According to a report by Sabah Newspaper, Wilfried Zaha was taken to Switzerland but remained on the bench throughout the match. Annoyed by this situation, Zaha showed a lack of motivation during training sessions and was ultimately excluded from the squad for the return match due to a supposed viral infection.
Statement from Galatasaray Management on Zaha
Galatasaray Board Member and Vice President of Sportif AŞ, İbrahim Hatipoğlu, made a statement regarding Zaha’s situation after the Young Boys match: “Zaha was unwell, which is why he was not included in the squad. There are offers for our players, and we are approaching the final days of this transfer window. As of September 3rd, this chapter will be closed. We trust our players and believe they will show great performance, supporting us in our quest for the 25th championship and in Europe.”
Zaha’s Social Media Post Draws Attention
Following all these developments, Galatasaray began preparations for the Adana Demirspor match with today’s training session. Zaha’s social media post attracted significant attention. The experienced player, who was said to have been excluded from the match squad due to illness, was present at today’s training. Zaha posted an Instagram story with the message “Back,” which quickly made waves.
