PREVIEW: Galatasaray v FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona are back in Turkey for the first time in almost two decades and there’s a big job to done against Galatasaray after the first leg of this Europa League round of 16 tie ended 0-0 at Camp Nou seven days earlier.

There’s a strong sense of déjà-vu to this because in the previous round the Catalans were also held to a draw in the home leg, but produced the goods in Italy to beat Napoli 4-2. More of the same is required in this early 6.45pm CET kick-off in Istanbul.

Previous games in Istanbul

This is the seventh time that Barça have played in Istanbul, and the fifth time against Galatasaray. After just one draw and two defeats in their first three trips, the Catalans have won the last three games in Turkey.

1993/94 Galatasaray 0-0 Barça
1994/95 Galatasaray 2-1 Barça
2000/01 Beşiktaş 3-0 Barça
2001/01 Fenerbahçe 0-3 Barça
2002/02 Galatasaray 0-1 Barça
2002/03 Galatasaray 0-2 Barça

The stadium

The Ali Sami Yen Stadium named after the club’s founder, gained legendary status around Europe as ‘hell’ because of the extraordinarily intimidating atmosphere, despite only holding 23,000 people.

But that ground no longer exists. Since 2022, Galatasaray have played at the Nef Stadium, a new 52,280 capacity all-seater ground that’s 7km away from the former venue. It’s no easier a place for teams to visit though. In 2022 it set a Guinness record of 131 decibels, the loudest roar ever generated in a football stadium.  

Team news

Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti are all still injured, while Brazilian full-back Dani Alves also sits this one out due to his ineligibility for the competition.

Nico is back in the squad after missing Sunday’s 4-0 defeat of Osasuna through suspension.

Former Barça man Arda Turan is still suffering from a groin strain and will again miss the chance to face his former club.

Galatasaray form guide

It’s an unusual season in the Turkish Süper Lig, with none of the ‘big three’ in the running for the title. Instead, Trabzonspor are 15 points clear at the top and well on course to be champions for the first time since 1984, while Konyaspor are second.

Galatasaray moved up to 11^th at the weekend with a 2-1 win against Beşiktaş, another traditional giant that’s having a shockingly poor campaign by their usual high standards.

But in contrast to their ailing fortunes at home, Gala are on a run of 11 European fixtures without defeat and qualified for this round after a dominating a difficult group featuring Lazio, Marseille and Lokomotiv Moscow.

Indeed, their first leg performance against Barça raised plenty of eyebrows. They looked anything but a side that’s struggling in mid-table. The Catalans may have governed the midfield but found it extremely difficult to find a way through their exceptionally well-organised defence. That said, unless Galatasaray change their tactics at home, it’s hard to see where any goals of their own are going to come from.

Indeed, their best player last Thursday was goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, on loan to the club from Barça of course, although there were some worrying flashes of brilliance from striker and top scorer Kerem Aktürkoğlu.

Did you know?

Galatasaray only had three shots on goal in the first leg, the lowest tally for any team in any game in the current Europa League. Barça had fifteen attempts but frustratingly failed to convert any.

Barça are the joint third highest scoring team in all competitions from Europe’s top five leagues. They are tied with Betis (34) and only topped by RB Lepizig (38) and Liverpool (36).

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is looking to become the first player to score in his first two European road trip for Barça since Robert Fernández way back in the 1986/87 season.

With no away goals rule any more, there is a strong likelihood of penalties in this one. Amazingly, Barça have not been involved in a European shootout since the one against Lech Poznan in 1988/89.