Galatasaray Eyes History Against Union Saint-Gilloise in Champions League Clash

ISTANBUL, Turkey — Galatasaray faces a critical Champions League match on Tuesday as they host Belgian debutant Union Saint-Gilloise at Rams Park. A victory could propel them into the tournament’s top eight and mark a remarkable turnaround in their European campaign.

The Turkish club currently ranks ninth in the 36-team standings with nine points, buoyed by three consecutive wins. This resurgence began after a tough start, with head coach Okan Buruk‘s squad showcasing resilience and strong performances.

If Galatasaray wins on Tuesday, they would achieve a first in their Champions League history: four straight victories in the group stage. Their recent domestic form has also been impressive, bouncing back to edge Gençlerbirliği 3-2 over the weekend, boosting their confidence ahead of this matchup.

Rams Park remains a stronghold for Galatasaray, who have not lost a home match since August 2024. They boast a 33-match unbeaten streak in all competitions at home, including two Champions League victories this season. Historically, they have faced challenges against Belgian teams, holding a winless record with four draws and four losses.

Union Saint-Gilloise, making their Champions League debut, has had a rocky path, opening with a 3-1 win against PSV but suffering heavy defeats against Newcastle, Inter, and Atletico Madrid. Despite their struggles in Europe, the Belgian side has shown resilience in domestic play, losing just once in their last six matches and recently securing a 2-0 victory over Cercle Brugge.

Austrian player Raul Florucz has shined for Union, scoring three goals in four matches and poses a key threat to Galatasaray’s defense. However, both teams are contending with injury woes. Galatasaray’s Wilfried Singo, Mario Lemina, and Yusuf Demir are among several sidelined players, and top scorer Victor Osimhen is out with a hamstring injury.

Union also faces challenges with injuries to key players, including Fedde Leysen and goalkeeper Jens Teunckens. Despite these setbacks, the Belgian champions remain a formidable opponent, aware of their capability to secure away wins in the past year.

This match presents a historic opportunity for Galatasaray as they aim to etch their name into Champions League lore.