Copenhagen will host Galatasaray with both teams in contention for a spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The hosts are already ahead on goal difference. Galatasaray still has control over their destiny after both sides have collected five points from their first five games.
Preview (Copenhagen vs. Galatasaray)
Copenhagen is currently in the driver’s seat for a second-place finish in Group A. They taking an impressive four points from two November games against Manchester United and Bayern Munich. The team followed up an exciting 4-3 victory over Man United with a much more low-key 0-0 draw with Bayern. Copenhagen benefited from Thomas Tuchel’s experimentation to hang on for a crucial point. It puts them in second place in the section thanks to their slightly better goal differential than Galatasaray.
But Jacob Neestrup’s team had already experienced a dismal five games without a victory. After three straight draws and two losses in the Superliga, they had reached a plateau. Additionally, their Danish Cup campaign was abruptly ended over the weekend. Even though they ended their losing skid with a 2-1 victory over Silkeborg on the road, the capital giants were eliminated in the quarterfinals by a 2-0 home defeat in the first leg. Tuesday’s European matchup gives Copenhagen one more chance to close out 2023 with a victory.
Although Copenhagen, whose only previous knockout appearance in Europe’s top tournament was in the 2010–11 campaign, would benefit from a win, a draw would also do if fourth-place Man United loses to Bayern. Nevertheless, neither the hosts nor the visitors will take anything lightly on Tuesday. Copenhagen’s home form has been lacking lately, but Galatasaray has prepared flawlessly for the midweek matchup by winning 2-0 against Pendikspor and 3-1 against Adana Demirspor on Friday night to extend their winning streak in the Turkish Super Lig to three games.
Team News
Five players from Copenhagen, including the defense duo of Berger Meling and David Khocholava. Meling and Khocholava are both hoping to return in January after suffering knee and muscular ailments, respectively. While there is no word on when Noah Sahsah (knee) and Kouma Babacar (unspecified) would return, William Clem is recovering from a terrible broken leg on a similar timeframe. Both players would have just made the bench on Tuesday. Neestrup, who selected Andreas Cornelius for the weekend’s victory over Silkeborg, is expected to make a few attacking changes, although Viktor Claesson is now expected to come back between Mohamed Elyounoussi and the highly sought-after Ronaldy Bardghji.
Galatasaray winger Ziyech, who is on loan from Chelsea, had a slight injury after scoring twice against Man United. As a result, he was unable to participate in the victory over Adana Demirspor. Given the stakes on Tuesday, Ziyech’s exclusion from the team on Friday was thought to be merely a precautionary measure, therefore the Morocco international may be immediately reintroduced into the Tete controversy. The only other player for Galatasaray that raises concerns about fitness besides Ziyech is Devinson Sanchez, whose hamstring strain is unlikely to improve in time for the trip to Denmark.
Copenhagen 2 – 3 Galatasaray
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