Galatasaray vs. Bayern Munich: UEFA Champions League
Harry Kane is enjoying a rich vein of scoring form ahead of Bayern Munich’s trip to Galatasaray in UEFA Champions League Group A on Tuesday (kick-off: 6.45pm CEST).
The record German champions make a single change to the team that began the Bundesliga Matchday 8 win against Mainz last weekend. Noussair Mazraoui starts with Leon Goretzka, who has suffered a hand injury, missing out. Guerreiro, Gnabry and Upamecano are also out injured for the visitors while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer hasn’t travelled.
Coach Okan Buruk shows just one change to the side that started last Saturday’s win against Beşiktaş . Former Leipzig and Hoffenheim full back Angeliño is replaced by Kazımcan Karataş. Mauro Icardi, meanwhile, has recovered from a knock to his ankle and starts.
The hosts, meanwhile, will have to do something they have never managed before to defeat Bayern. In five previous fixtures against Bundesliga clubs on home turf, Gala have never prevailed, drawing on three occasions and losing twice.
Bayern come into this clash with plenty of positive away memories in recent years. They are currently unbeaten in their last 18 Champions League clashes away from the Allianz Arena (W16, D2), which is a competition record.There are few absentees for Okan Buruk to contend with, although two players who could potentially miss tonight’s clash are big names. Hakim Ziyech has managed just two appearances for his new club since his summer move from Chelsea, and while he could be in contention to feature here, it would be a risk to field him from the start. Mauro Icardi, meanwhile, has plundered 14 goals in 15 matches this term, including two in the weekend’s 2-1 victory over Besiktas. However, he suffered an ankle injury in that clash, and could well be unavailable here as a result.
Bayern and Galatasaray have met just twice before, in the first round of the 1972/73 European Cup. The Turkish outfit held the Bavarians to a 1-1 draw on home soil before losing 6-0 in the second leg as Bayern ultimately secured a comfortable passage to the next stage. Overall, Bayern have played six games against Turkish teams, winning five and drawing one – they will therefore be eager to keep that unbeaten run going tonight.
