Galatasaray eyes Champions League qualification in Young Boys playoff
Galatasaray faces a crucial test Wednesday night as they meet Young Boys in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round in Bern, Switzerland.
The match kicks off at 10 p.m. local time, and fans can watch it live on TRT 1 and Tabii platforms. Success in this round will secure Galatasaray a place in the group stage of Europe’s top football competition.
Coming off a record-breaking season where they accumulated 102 points to win the Super Lig, Galatasaray enters this match with high expectations. The team has already participated in three official matches this season.
After a disappointing 5-0 loss to Besiktas in the Turkish Super Cup, they rebounded with two 2-1 victories in the Super Lig against Atakas Hatayspor and TUMOSAN Konyaspor. On the other hand, Young Boys have struggled, failing to win in their first five league matches this season.
Galatasaray determined to qualify for Champions League
The financial implications of this match are significant for Galatasaray. If they advance past Young Boys and secure a spot in the Champions League group stage, they will earn close to $27.75 million.
The club could potentially increase this amount depending on their performance in the group stage, where each victory brings $3.11 million and each draw offers $1.03 million. Last season, Galatasaray collected about $34.41 million from European competitions, a sum they aim to exceed this year.
Head coach Okan Buruk emphasized the importance of the match during a pre-match press conference, stating, “Our first goal is to qualify for the Champions League. We understand how crucial this is for both Galatasaray and Türkiye.”
Buruk expressed confidence in his team’s preparation, noting, “We know we are facing the Swiss champions for the past four seasons. They may have started their league poorly, but they are a strong and physically capable team. We have prepared thoroughly for this challenge.”
Galasaray at disadvantage against Young Boys
However, Galatasaray faces some difficulties ahead of this match. Okan Buruk will not be on the sidelines due to a two-match suspension from UEFA, a consequence of last season’s Europa League clash with Sparta Prague. Additionally, key players Kaan Ayhan, who is suspended, and Davinson Sanchez, who is injured, will miss the game.
Despite these setbacks, the team remains focused. Buruk stated, “Both my staff and players are highly experienced. We have many important, leader-type players in our squad. The technical team and the players on the field will do their best to execute our game plan.”
The second leg of this playoff will take place on Aug. 27 in Istanbul. The team that wins on aggregate will progress to the newly formatted 36-team Champions League group stage. Galatasaray is determined to secure this qualification, as it will not only elevate their standing in European football but also significantly bolster their financial position.
