Galatasaray-Copenaghen is a match from the first day of the Champions League group stage and is played on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m.: lineups, predictions.
With two battleships like Bayern Munich and Manchester United nearby, it will be really complicated for Galatasaray and Copenhagen to snatch a pass to the knockout stage. That’s the feeling after the draw, although the Turkish champions could become the surprise of this grouping.
The investments made by the ownership in the last two years are paying off. The decision to bet on a mix of players seemingly on the waning path (Icardi, Mertens) and others looking for a revival (Ziyech, Zaha) seemed risky and instead has paid dividends so far. Galatasaray returned to win the Turkish Super Lig after a thrilling sprint with rivals Fenerbahçe and did not miss qualifying for the Champions League group stage, from which it had been missing for a few years. The Giallorossi, who have been in the field since last July, had to overcome no less than three preliminaries (Zalgiris, Olimpia Ljubljana and Molde) in order to challenge and face Europe’s big names. Everything is running smoothly at home, too, where they are off to a great start: the tally so far is three wins in four games, the only blemish being a draw with Kayserispor that does not allow them to be level on points with Fenerbahçe, another team that was properly reinforced in the summer.
The only previous ones 10 years ago
For Icardi and his teammates, the first clash with the Danish lineup, likely the Cinderella of this round, must be won at all costs.
Vavro
Galatasaray reunites with Copenhagen after exactly ten years: also in the 2013-14 edition, they faced each other in the group stage (one win on each side) in the group in which Antonio Conte’s Juventus was also drawn, then resoundingly eliminated by the very “Gala” on the last day on a pitch at the limits of practicability. That was also the last time the Giallorossi made it past the first phase in the continent’s most important event. Like the Turks, Copenhagen also came from the preliminaries. The likes of Breidablik, Sparta Prague and Rakow Czestochowa failed to stop the run of the Danish champions, coached by Jacob Neestrup. Copenhagen who are currently at the top of the Superligaen standings (6 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss) but are coming off a disappointing draw at home to Nordsjaelland (2-2).
The Prediction
An eventual defeat could already seal the fate of both. Galatasaray absolutely cannot let this chance slip away, obliged to win to try to undermine the Bavarians and United. The Turks are in a great moment and should make the home factor count: they are also likely to keep the goal rolling, as they have already done twice out of three during the preliminary rounds.
The probable lineups of Galatasaray-Copenaghen
- GALATASARAY (4-5-1): Muslera; Boey, Nelsson, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Angeliño; Ndombele, Torreira, Tetê, Ziyech, Zaha; Icardi.
- COPENAGHEN (4-3-3): Grabara; Jelert, Vavro, Diks, Meling; Claesson, Falk, Gonçalves; Bardghji, Larsson, Achouri.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
