Can Galatasaray turn Istanbul into hell for flawless Barcelona?

Galatasaray opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 defeat away at Sporting Lisbon, leaving them 29th in the table. Okan Buruk’s side bounced back domestically, however, beating Kasımpaşa 3-1 in their last official match.

Barcelona are in superb form under Hansi Flick. They climbed to third in the Champions League standings after a 5-1 thrashing of Feyenoord, and continue their perfect run in La Liga, with recent wins over Getafe (3-0), Sevilla (3-1) and Racing Santander (7-2).

Galatasaray are without defender Wilfried Singo, who has a thigh injury. Buruk is expected to rely on Victor Osimhen up front, supported by Barış Alper Yılmaz and Yunus Akgün or Rafael Leão on the wings, with Gabriel Sara and Lucas Torreira in midfield.

Barcelona are missing Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Roony Bardghji. Lamine Yamal, Gabriel Jesus and Karim Adeyemi are expected to start in attack, with Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo in midfield.

In ten official meetings, Barcelona have six wins, three draws and just one defeat against Galatasaray, whose only victory came in November 1994 (2-1). The sides last met in the Europa League in spring 2022, when Barcelona won 2-1 in Istanbul after a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou.

“We’re facing one of the most in-form teams in the world right now. But we are Galatasaray and we’re playing at home. Against Barcelona, we won’t just defend, we’ll look to attack too,” Buruk said.

Flick showed respect for the atmosphere awaiting his side: “We have to be fully ready. This is one of the hottest atmospheres in world football. Galatasaray have excellent players, and it will be extremely important for us to be compact and organised in defence.”