Galatasaray knocked out of Europa League after poor performance against AZ Alkmaar 

Galatasaray drew 2-2 at home against AZ Alkmaar and bowed out of the Europa League. In the second leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, Galatasaray’s poor performance raised concerns ahead of Turkish team’s crucial match against Fenerbahce on Feb. 24. The Galatasaray-Fenerbahce derby is regarded as the most significant match in Turkish football.

Galatasaray’s 33-year-old goalkeeper Gunay Guvenc delivered a standout performance, preventing the team from suffering a humiliating home defeat by stopping multiple attempts from AZ Alkmaar. Guvenc had only made one appearance this season prior to the match.

Galatasaray fans applauded Gunay Guvenc after the game, despite their team being outplayed by AZ Alkmaar.

The Dutch side continued their attacks in the early stages of the game and took the lead in the 43rd minute.

In a fast-paced counterattack, Poku received the ball on the right wing and found Maikuma inside the box. The Japanese midfielder struck the ball with a first-time shot, sending it into the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

In the 55th minute, AZ Alkmaar doubled their lead when Kasius fired a long-range shot that found the back of the net, making it 2-0.

After the second goal, the Turkish team’s head coach began benching key players in preparation for their match against Fenerbahce on Feb. 24.

Osimhen responded quickly

Just two minutes later, Galatasaray responded. Lucas Torreira delivered a pass into the penalty area, where Victor Osimhen connected with a first-time strike to cut the deficit to one.

In the 70th minute, Baris Alper Yilmaz picked up the ball on the left wing and sent a low pass to the edge of the box. Sallai met it with a powerful strike, leveling the score at 2-2.

Galatasaray eliminated from Europa League, injury crisis ahead of Fenerbahce derby

Galatasaray played without several key players in the second leg, including Kaan Ayhan (suspended), Ismail Jakobs, Alvaro Morata, Yunus Akgun, and Mauro Icardi.

These absences forced coach Okan Buruk to rely on fringe players and youngsters, who were expected to step up in this crucial match.

The highly anticipated Turkish Super Lig derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24, at 8:00 p.m. local time, at RAMS Park in Istanbul.

This match is crucial as Galatasaray currently leads the league, with Fenerbahce trailing by six points in second place. In an unprecedented move, the Turkish Football Federation has appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic to officiate the derby, aiming to address recent controversies surrounding domestic officiating. The outcome could significantly impact the title race, intensifying the historic rivalry between these two Istanbul giants.