The Champions League league phase continues on Wednesday night as Galatasaray host Liverpool at Rams Park in Istanbul, a fixture that brings together two clubs with proud European traditions but differing fortunes in recent weeks.
Galatasaray’s domestic dominance has been emphatic. They top the Super Lig table with seven wins from seven, scoring 19 goals and conceding only two. Underlying numbers support their run: an xPTS of 16.3 places them clear at the top, while they have allowed just 6.2 xGA in those games. However, Europe tells a less positive story. The 5-1 defeat in Frankfurt on Matchday one stretched their winless streak in UEFA competition to seven matches. Defensive resilience in Turkey has yet to translate onto the continental stage.
Victor Osimhen remains their key figure. The striker has nine goals in the Champions League proper and needs just one more to become Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer in the competition. Ilkay Gundogan, Sara Gabriel with Mauro Icardi and Leroy Sane ahead will be crucial against a Liverpool back line that has shown vulnerability this season.
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