Lille v. Galatasaray Preview: Both sides chasing first UCL points
Lille will host Galatasaray on Wednesday on matchday three of the Champions
League’s League Phase.
Both sides will be desperate for their first points of their League Phase campaign,
after losing their opening two games in the competition.
UEFA will hope that the focus will remain on the match itself, after Galatasaray
requested addition police protection in the build-up to the game, following weeks of
Lille manager Davide Ancelotti said, “It is time to collect points in the Champions
Form Guide:
Both sides are without a point in this season’s Champions League.
Lille lost 3-2 at home to Real Betis on matchday one, before a 3-0 defeat away to
Arsenal.
While Galatasaray lost 3-1 away to Sporting, before Barcelona came from behind to
win 4-1 in Istanbul last Tuesday.
The home side missed the chance to go top of Ligue 1 when they drew 1-1 at home
with Stade Brestois on Saturday, thanks to a penalty from veteran striker Olivier
Giroud.
Galatasaray maintained their lead at the top of the Turkish Super Lig but needed an
88 th minute own goal to win away at Genclerbirligi on Saturday.
Head-to-Head Record:
These sides have never played each other in a competitive fixture before.
Lille do have a positive record against Turkish opposition however, having knocker
Galatasaray’s city rivals Fenerbahce out of the Europa League in 2010, and out of
Champions League qualifying two years ago.
Galatasaray’s last game against a Ligue 1 team ended in a 1-0 defeat away at
Monaco in the Champions League’s League Phase, in December 2025.
Team News:
Ancelotti’s side have been hampered by injuries to several first-choice players in
recent weeks.
Lille will be without right-back Tiago Santos and striker Hamza Jamana due to
cruciate ligament tears.
While centre-forward Ayase Ueda will likely miss the game due to a foot injury, with
right-winger Ethan Mbappe sidelined by an ankle injury.
These absences may force Ancelotti to start 18-year-old right-back Maxima Goffi, as
well as 40-year-old striker Olivier Giroud.
Ancelotti told reporters that “If there are absences, there is also a solution”.
Galtasaray meanwhile will be without left-winger Rafael Leao, who “came off with
pain” against Genclerbirligi, according to manager Okan Buruk.
Baris Alper Yilmaz, is likely to replace him.
Predicted Starting 11s:
Lille (4-2-3-1): Berke Ozer, Romain Perraud, Alexsandro, Nathan Ngoy, Maxima
Goffi, Nabil Bentaleb, Benjamin Andre, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, Gaetan Perrin,
Dilane Bakwa, Olivier Giroud.
Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Ugurcan Cakir, Eren Elmali, Ismail Jakobs, Davinson
Sanchez, Roland Sallai, Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Aleksey
Batrakov, Yunus Akgun, Victor Osimhen.
Match Prediction:
European League Phase games are often difficult to call, especially this early in the
season.
Both of these sides have proven quality, but are yet to put together a complete
performance in Europe so far this season.
If they can keep their focus on the pitch however, Galatasaray should be able to
exploit Lille’s injury issues.
Comments