Istanbul’s Ali Sami Yen awaits Barcelona on a European night shaped by pace, noise and a demanding home side. Hansi Flick’s team arrive for the second matchday of the Champions League league phase with nine consecutive wins to open the campaign, but Galatasaray bring the authority of Turkey’s reigning champions and current league leaders.
The news from the club
Barcelona’s Juvenil A had already given the travelling club a positive start, beating Galatasaray 1-0 in the UEFA Youth League. Pedro Rodríguez converted a penalty to settle the second league-phase fixture for the academy side.
For the senior meeting, Flick has selected Joan García in goal, behind Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín and João Cancelo. Rodrigo Hernández and Pedri form the midfield base, with Lamine Yamal, Fermín López and Anthony Gordon supporting Dani Olmo.
Olmo’s exact role is the principal tactical question. With Raphinha unavailable and Gabriel Jesus among the substitutes, he could operate as the central forward, though Fermín or Gordon are also alternatives for the position.
Flick explained that the choice of Olmo was linked to Galatasaray’s expected intensity and Barcelona’s need to keep the ball. “They will press us; we have studied them and they do it in every match,” he said. “We need to control the game. Olmo can do that with the ball too, and we also have to manage minutes.”
The Barcelona coach added that European football allows little time for recovery and said the squad must maintain its strong early-season rhythm. The opening record brings confidence, he said, but trophies remain the real target.
Four changes have been made from the side used against Getafe. Cancelo, Cubarsí, Fermín and Pedri come in, replacing Jules Koundé, Xavi Espart, Gavi and Gabriel Jesus.
Wojciech Szczesny and Dominik Livakovic are the reserve goalkeepers. Koundé, Alejandro Balde and Espart are defensive options, while Gavi and Brian Fariñas provide midfield cover. Jesus, Karim Adeyemi and Hamza Abdelkarim complete Barcelona’s attacking alternatives.
Raphinha remains out after missing the Getafe match following Brazil’s friendlies. Andreas Christensen, Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji did not make the trip either. Raphinha has scored 14 official goals this term, part of Barcelona’s overall total of 39, while Jesus had shown sharp form against Getafe, scoring at a rate of one goal every 41 minutes.
A demanding Istanbul appointment
Galatasaray begin with Uğurcan Çakır in goal; Barış Alper Yılmaz, Davinson Sánchez, Jakobs and Eren Elmalı in defence; Lucas Torreira and Mario Lemina in midfield; then Yunus Akgün, Batrakov and Rafael Leão behind Victor Osimhen.
Okan Buruk has left Leroy Sané and former Barcelona midfielder İlkay Gündoğan among his substitutes. Gabriel Sara, Ugochukwu, Sallai, Bitshiabu, Deniz Gül, Bardakcı, Berat Lus and Nhaga are also on the bench, alongside goalkeepers Jankat Yılmaz and Büyuk.
The Turkish side have already shown they can trouble Barcelona in Istanbul. Their only previous win in the fixture came in November 1994, a 2-1 comeback secured by Hakan Şükür’s 72nd-minute penalty and a late Arif Erdem goal after Romário had put Barcelona ahead. Buruk entered that match from the bench shortly before the hour mark.
Barcelona have met Galatasaray 10 times previously. Their latest encounter came in the 2022 Europa League, when Pedri and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored in a 2-1 Barcelona win. Pedri’s goal followed a memorable sequence of feints inside the area.
Galatasaray’s home ground has been a difficult European stop. Union SG won there a year ago, but Juventus, Liverpool and Atlético de Madrid have all been beaten at the stadium; Atlético were the only one of those visitors to leave with a draw.
Barcelona opened their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord. Galatasaray lost 3-1 at Sporting CP, although the score only got away from them in the closing stages. Flick’s side also have eight league wins from eight, collecting 24 points and scoring 34 times domestically.
Italian referee Marco Guida, 45, will take charge, with Marco Di Bello on VAR duties. Barcelona have not won either of their European matches under Guida: a 3-2 defeat at Antwerp on 13 December 2022 and a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in last season’s Champions League round of 16. Galatasaray have one win and one loss in their previous games with him, the most recent a 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in last season’s league phase.
