On Tuesday evening, Galatasaray faces Union SG at Rams Park, with significant implications for both teams in the UEFA Champions League. A win for Galatasaray could propel them into the top eight of the standings, while Union SG aims to reverse its fortunes after a challenging start to the tournament.
Match Preview
Galatasaray currently sits in ninth place with nine points. They have bounced back from a heavy 5-1 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday one, achieving victories against Liverpool (1-0), Bodo/Glimt (3-1), and Ajax (3-0). Remarkably, these three wins already match their combined total from the last 33 Champions League group matches.
The Turkish team is eager to secure a fourth consecutive win, which would mark a historic achievement in their Champions League history. Furthermore, Galatasaray’s recent domestic performance included a 3-2 victory against Genclerbirligi, boosting their confidence.
Home Advantage at Rams Park
Rams Park has remained a stronghold for Galatasaray, with an unbeaten streak dating back to August 2024. They have won 24 matches and drawn 9 during this timeframe. In the current Champions League season, they are aiming for three home victories in one campaign for the first time since 2000-01, when they advanced to the quarter-finals.
This match marks the first encounter between Galatasaray and Union SG. Historically, Galatasaray has struggled against Belgian teams, with no wins in their last eight meetings (4 draws and 4 losses).
Union SG’s Recent Form
Union SG has faced challenges in the Champions League, losing their last three matches against Newcastle (4-0), Inter Milan (4-0), and Atletico Madrid (3-1). They started the group stage with a win against PSV (3-1). However, domestically, they have shown resilience, recently beating Cercle Brugge 2-0 and maintaining their position at the top of the Belgian First Division.
- Union SG’s last six matches across all competitions: 4 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss
- Recent domestic form shows consistency, vital for their morale heading into this match.
Team News
Galatasaray faces several injury concerns before the match. Wilfried Singo, Mario Lemina, and Yusuf Demir are doubtful after being substituted due to injuries. This adds to a growing list of absentees, including Victor Osimhen, Yunus Akgun, Berkan Kutlu, and Kaan Ayhan. Eren Elmali and Metehan Baltaci are also suspended due to violations within Turkish football.
Union SG is not without its own injuries, as Fedde Leysen and Mohammed Fuseini are sidelined, joining teammates Guillaume Francois, Ivan Pavlic, and Jens Teunckens on the injury list. Raul Florucz remains a key player for Union SG, having scored three goals in four appearances during the group stage.
Projected Lineups
| Galatasaray | Union SG |
|---|---|
| Cakir; Unyay, Bardakci, Sanchez, Karatas; Torreira, Gundogan; Sane, Sara, Sallai; Yilmaz | Scherpen; Mac Allister, Burgess, Leysen; Patris, Schoofs, Zorgane, Khalaily; Rodriguez; Akinpelu, van de Perre |
This matchup sees Galatasaray in strong form at Rams Park and bolstered by recent successes. Meanwhile, Union SG aims to overcome their European struggles and make a statement in Istanbul. As both teams prepare for this clash, the stakes are high, and the outcome could significantly influence their Champions League ambitions.
