The Lions are ninth in the 36-team table on matchday five with nine points, a revival built on three consecutive wins that has turned their European campaign around.
After starting with a crushing 5–1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt, Okan Buruk’s side cemented themselves with signature wins – beating Liverpool 1–0, defeating Bodø/Glimt 3–1 and beating Ajax 3–0 in Amsterdam.
Another win would give Galatasaray something they have never tasted in Champions League history: four consecutive wins in the competition.
His domestic form came as a bonus.
Galatasaray bounced back quickly after their first league defeat of the season, beating Gençlerbirliği 3–2 at the weekend, a confidence boost before returning to continental duty.
But the loudest statement is RAMS Park itself – a fort that remains untouched until August 2024.
Galatasaray have gone 33 matches unbeaten in all competitions, including two Champions League wins this season.
They have not suffered a European home defeat since an unexpected defeat to Young Boys in the playoff round last year, and their run in Istanbul now stands at 24 wins and nine draws.
History still warns.
Galatasaray have never beaten a Belgian opponent in UEFA competitions, drawing four matches against Club Brugge and Anderlecht and losing four.
His first meeting with the Union SG was held on Tuesday.
wild ride of union sg
Union SG have had a disappointing Champions League start.
They started with a courageous 3–1 win at PSV, but were brought back down to earth by three heavy defeats – 4–0 to Newcastle, 4–0 to Inter and 3–1 to Atlético Madrid.
Apart from Ajax, no side has conceded more goals in the competition.
Yet Belgium’s leaders arrive with enthusiasm from home soil. Union have lost just once in their last six matches in all competitions and strengthened their grip on domestic top spot by beating Cercle Brugge 2-0 on Saturday.
Encouragingly, their last two European wins – including their first win this season – have both come away from home.
Austria’s Raul Florez has been their shining spark in Europe, scoring three times in four games, and remains their most dangerous threat going forward.
Injuries add to Galatasaray’s depth
Galatasaray’s biggest battle could come before kick-off. Wilfried Singo, Mario Lemina and Yusuf Demir all joined a crowded treatment room after limping off during the weekend’s league win.
Victor Osimhen – the current Champions League top scorer with six goals in just three matches – is out with a hamstring problem.
Yunus Akgun, Berkan Kutlu and Kan Ayhan have also been sidelined.
The club will also miss fullbacks Eren Elmali and Metehan Baltası, both of whom have been suspended following betting-related bans.
Kazimcan Karatas cannot participate because he is not listed in the UEFA squad.
Ismail Jacobs is entering the match one booking away from suspension and will miss the trip to Monaco if given a warning.
Galatasaray’s European lineage
Tuesday is Galatasaray’s 333rd match in European competitions and 127th in the Champions League.
Historically, the club has won 119 of their continental fixtures (32 in the Champions League era) and have long been defined by their ability to emerge on the big European nights – a reputation Buruc has helped revive.
Under Buruk, Galatasaray has played 30 matches in UEFA competitions, earning 13 wins, eight draws and nine losses in Champions League and Europa League action.
This match provides a rare chance to reshape the club’s history: victory would provide the first series of four consecutive wins in the group/league stage of the Champions League.
Union SG limping
Union SG travels with his injury problems. Fedde Leysen was forced out of their weekend win and joins Mohamed Fuseini, Guillaume François, Ivan Pavlik and goalkeeper Jens Tenkens on the absent list.
Despite the setbacks, the Belgian champions – returning to Europe’s top stage after 90 years – arrive undaunted, fully aware that they have already achieved two victories in continental competitions in the last year.
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