Zalgiris-Galatasaray is a match valid for the second qualifying round of the Champions League and is played on Tuesday at 18:00: predictions.
Galatasaray, back on the roof of Turkey after a few years of abstinence, must overcome some preliminary rounds to participate in the next Champions League.
The Giallorossi, coached by former Inter midfielder Okan Buruk, start in the second qualifying round, in the ‘section’ obviously reserved for teams who have won their respective championships. Their first opponent is Zalgiris Vilnius, defending champions of Lithuania. The green-and-whites, whose championship is in full swing, got the better of the North-Macedonians Struga in recent weeks. A blank-net draw in the first leg in Lithuania and a comeback victory (1-2) by Zalgiris in the return match in North Macedonia. The men led by Kazakhstan’s Vladimir Cheburin lead the A Lyga standings after 23 matches together with Panevezys, with whom they are level on 52 points. Only friendlies, however, for Galatasaray, who will begin their title defence in the Turkish Super League on 13 August against Kayserispor. The Giallorossi have not excelled in their pre-season tests, picking up just one win in four matches: last Tuesday they ended the mini-cycle with a 2-0 defeat against Austria Vienna.
Mertens will lead the Giallorossi attack
In addition to Bakambu and Angelino, the latter of whom arrived from Hoffenheim (via Leipzig), Galatasaray have just signed former Inter Milan player Mauro Icardi, who will continue to wear the Istanbul club’s shirt next season.
Karashima of Zalgiris exults after a goal
Leading the attack in the Champions League preliminary will be Dries Mertens, while another old acquaintance of our Seria A like Lucas Torreira, injured in the friendly against Hull City, will be absent. Doubtful Zaniolo: the former Roma player injured his little finger during the last friendly but should be able to play with a bandage.
The Prediction
Galatasaray strengthened further in this market session and retained almost all the strongest players, bidding for another star season, both in Turkey and in Europe. They have fewer minutes in their legs than Zalgiris, but the difference is so great that it is hard to imagine any other result than a victory for the Istanbul club in the Lithuanian away game. The Giallorossi will score at least a couple of goals.
Zalgiris-Galatasaray lineup
- ZALGIRIS (4-5-1): Gertmonas; Bopesu, Hnid, Vucur, Pavelic; Gorobsov, Kendysh, Golubickas, Karashima, Kazlauskas; Kehinde.
- GALATASARAY (4-5-1): Muslera; Boey, Ayhan, Bayram, Karatas; Kutlu, Demir, Zaniolo, Yilmaz, Akturkoglu; Mertens.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-2
