Galatasaray vs Bayern Munich preview, team news, tickets and prediction
Galatasaray and Bayern Munich have made decent starts to the new season with both teams topping their respective leagues as at the time of writing.
Generally, a number of Turkish teams have spent big in the summer and Galatasaray were not left out. They got the likes of Wilfred Zaha and Hakim Ziyech from the Premier League and they have been unbeaten since the season got underway.
Their season started with the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. The Turkish side edged Zalgiris 3-2 in the first round after a draw in Lithuania and a slim 1-0 win in the return leg at the RAMS Park in Istanbul. A date with Ljubljana was next and Galatasaray prevailed much comfortably this time around. A 3-0 first leg win away from home was backed up by a routine 1-0 home win to seal progression 4-0 on aggregate.
While in Europe, the Turkish Super League got underway and it was a goalless draw between Kayserispor and Galatasaray before a 2-0 win over Trabzonspor got them their first league win of the season. It was time for the final playoff round against Molde and Gala came out on top once again. A 5-3 aggregate was all they needed to return to the group stages of Europe's elite competition.
Before their UEFA Champions League opener, Gala claimed two consecutive league wins over Gaziantep and Samsunspor. A late comeback against Copenhagen on the opening week of the Champions League prevented a first loss of the season and they have maintained that form in the first two months of the season.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich lost the German Super Cup final to RB Leipzig 3-0 and Thomas Tuchel was questioned about his approach to games. However, the former Chelsea boss managed his side to a comfortable 4-0 win over Werder Bremen in the opening week of the Bundesliga.
Summer signing Harry Kane wasted no time to make his presence felt in the German Bundesliga as he scored in his first two appearances. And in the top of the table clash with Bayer Leverkusen, the English striker scored again.
Well, Bayern Munich have been dominating the Bundesliga for long and winning it might not be considered an achievement. However, failing to go far in the Champions League is considered a sackable offence and Tuchel is well aware of that. The approach to their opener against Manchester United was different and they could have won the game with a bigger scoreline than they did.
Okay Buruk's side showed immense character to avoid defeat in their previous Champions League home game and he knows they need to be clinical and well disciplined to get something from this game against the German champions.
Galatasaray and Bayern Munich last met in this competition in 1972 and it finished 7-1 on aggregate in favour of the Bavarians. Times have changed and Gala look like a side that can fancy their chances in this group on the basis of what they have done so far.
Although Galatasaray have won the UEFA Cup and Super Cup before, they have not made their mark in this competition yet. On the other hand, Bavarians last won the competition in 2019/20, and they have suffered three consecutive quarter-final exits in the Champions League since then.
Match tickets
The epic match at RAMS Park in Istanbul kicks off on Tuesday 24th October, at 5:45 PM UK time and it will be shown live on TNT Sports, with coverage starting from around 5 PM.
This is a UEFA Champions League clash between two giants with enormous success in recent years. This Tuesday’s game is going to be played on a special evening at the 52,280-capacity stadium and Bayern Munich fans will definitely be present to support their side in this one.
Getting tickets for Galatasaray v Bayern Munich tickets could take a lot of work to get, given the profile of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Galatasaray do not have any major injury casualties. The likes of Angelino, Mauro Icardi and Mertens are expected to play a part in this contest. Veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera should also continue in goal.
Galatasaray: Muslera; Boey, Ayhan, Bardakci, Angelino; Torreira, Demirbay; Tete, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Icardi.
Thomas Tuchel is not expected to make a lot of changes to his side for this trip. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka should have formed a good partnership in defensive midfield, while Jamal Musiala delivered a breathtaking performance in the game against Manchester United. Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry are to be deployed on either flank with Harry Kane spearheading that attack. Meanwhile, club captain Manuel Neuer and Raphael Guerreiro are expected to miss the game.
Bayern Munich: Ulreich; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Goretzka, Kimmich; Sane, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane.
Prediction
Galatasaray can bank on their solid form so far this season as they play their second home game of this tight group. Things are beginning to take shape and they need a result to keep them going. Gala always find a way to score at home and if they can do that again, a win might not be far away from them.
Bayern Munich have a great UEFA Champions League record in the group stage and Gala will need to test them a lot in order to dent that image. Bayern are strong candidates for the cup and as long as they avoid defeat here, it will be considered a good result.
Barring an upset of any form, the German giants will be expected to claim a win in Turkey.
Galatasaray 1-3 Bayern Munich
