In the third week of the UEFA Europa League, Galatasaray will host Sweden’s Elfsborg at home.
Galatasaray will welcome Elfsborg in the third week of the UEFA Europa League tomorrow. The yellow-red team, which won the Trendyol Super Lig last season as champions for the second consecutive time and the 24th time overall, started this season in the UEFA Champions League play-off round. After being eliminated by Switzerland’s Young Boys in two matches, Galatasaray continued its journey in the UEFA Europa League.
In the first week of “Cup 2,” Okan Buruk’s team defeated Greece’s PAOK 3-1 at home. However, in the second week, despite taking a 2-0 lead against Latvia’s RFS away, they finished the match with a 2-2 draw. With 4 points from the first two matches, Galatasaray is currently in 8th place among 36 teams based on goal difference.
Elfsborg, which started the UEFA Europa League season from the first qualifying round, progressed through four rounds to secure a spot among the 36 teams. The yellow-black team entered the tournament with a 3-2 loss to AZ Alkmaar but later achieved a 1-0 victory against Roma at home. With three points, Elfsborg is currently in 16th place based on goal difference.
SLOVENIAN REFEREE TO OFFICIATE
The match will be officiated by Slovenian referee Matej Jug from the Slovenian Football Federation. Jug will be assisted by Matej Zunic and Manuel Vidali, while Mihael Antic will serve as the fourth official. Alen Borosak will be in charge of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room.
GALATASARAY REMAINS UNDEFEATED IN LAST 9 MATCHES
Galatasaray has remained undefeated in their last nine official matches. The last defeat came in the UEFA Champions League play-off round against Switzerland’s Young Boys. Since then, the yellow-red team has played 7 Super Lig matches and 2 UEFA Europa League matches, achieving 6 wins and 1 draw in the league and 1 win and 1 draw in Europe.
GOALKEEPER GUNAY TO START
Experienced goalkeeper Gunay Guvenc will guard Galatasaray’s goal. Team captain Fernando Muslera received a three-match ban due to a red card in the UEFA Champions League play-off match against Young Boys. After serving two matches of his suspension in the PAOK and RFS games, Muslera will not be available for the match against Elfsborg.
In Muslera’s absence, Gunay Guvenc will take on goalkeeping duties for Galatasaray.
INJURIES AND ABSENCES
Galatasaray will be without Ismail Jakobs, who is injured, as well as Eyup Aydin, Gokdeniz Gurpuz, and new signing Roland Sallai, who are not listed on the UEFA roster. Jakobs, who was injured in the 9th week match against Onvo Antalyaspor, will miss the Elfsborg match. Young players Eyup and Gokdeniz, along with new signing Sallai, cannot play due to not being registered in the UEFA list.
ELFSBORG IN 7TH PLACE
Elfsborg is currently far from the top in the Swedish First Football League, having completed 27 weeks. Last season, they finished second, just behind champions Malmo on goal difference, but this season they have not been able to replicate that performance. With 12 wins, 5 draws, and 10 losses in the 27 weeks of the league, the yellow-black team is in 7th place, 17 points behind the leader.
