Galatasaray, the Turkish champions, will host Atletico Madrid at RAMS Park on Wednesday evening in a UEFA Champions League Group Phase encounter.
Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 21st January.
- Kick-off: 5:45pm BST.
- Venue: Rams Park, Istanbul.
Galatasaray team news
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has returned to full training with Galatasaray following the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations. He will be available for selection against Atletico Madrid.
Head coach Okan Buruk confirmed the positive news at his pre-match press conference. He said: “Osimhen joined the squad yesterday and trained with us. He clearly showed his desire and concentration.”
Osimhen, who has been in sensational form for Galatasaray this season, scored six goals in four Champions League matches before departing for international duty and will be hoping to continue that impressive run.
Left-back Ismail Jakobs is expected to arrive in Istanbul early on matchday and will be available for the squad although he might not start. Midfielder Gabriel Sara will train with the team on matchday and undergo a late fitness test, with Buruk planning to include him if he comes through the session without complications.
However, Wilfried Singo will miss the match through injury, while Arda Ünyay is also sidelined with a hamstring strain. Metehan Baltacı remains suspended. Davinson Sanchez and left-back Ismail Jakobs are both one yellow card away from suspension.
Atletico Madrid team news
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will travel to Istanbul without French centre-back Clément Lenglet, who remains sidelined with a knee injury that is expected to keep him out until February.
Spanish winger Nicolás González has returned to the squad after a recent injury layoff, but is unlikely to start due to his recovery timeline. The visitors arrive on the back of two consecutive 1-0 victories, with Alexander Sørloth scoring the decisive goal against Deportivo Alavés on January 18.
Atletico’s attacking options will be led by Sørloth, who has proven his clinical finishing in Europe this season, alongside Argentine forward Julián Álvarez, who has netted four goals in five Champions League matches.
Form
Galatasaray
Galatasaray have lost only one match out of their last seven in all competitions, but in the Champions League, they have lost their last two games. In the Turkish Super Lig, Galatasaray sit atop the standings with 43 points from 18 matches after drawing 1-1 with Gaziantep FK on January 17.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid will be eyeing their fourth straight victory in the UCL when they meet Galatasaray on Wednesday.
They currently sit at 10th position in the UCL league table with 12 points from six matches and come into this match after a 1-0 win against Deportivo Alaves in their last La Liga match.
Predicted lineups
Galatasaray: Cakir; Elmali, Sanchez, Bardakci, Sallai; Torreira, Lemina; Sane, Akgun, Yilmaz; Osimhen
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Baena; Sorloth, Alvarez
How to watch Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid?
In the UK, Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid is being shown live on TNT Sports 10, with streaming available via discovery+ (TNT Sports).
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