5 changes for Galatasaray

In the second week of the UEFA Champions League, Galatasaray is facing English side Liverpool at home. Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk replaced Roland Sallai, Eren Elmalı, Gabriel Sara, Leroy Sane, and Mauro Icardi—who were in the starting 11 for the recent Alanyaspor match—with Ismail Jakobs, Mario Lemina, Yunus Akgün, İlkay Gündoğan, and Victor Osimhen. Abdülkerim Bardakcı captained the team.

Victor Osimhen in the starting 11 after 4 matches

Galatasaray's Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen started in the 11 against Liverpool. Osimhen, who was injured during his national team's match against Rwanda, had made a brief appearance in the final minutes of the Alanyaspor match following his recovery. The 26-year-old player returned to the starting lineup for the first time in 4 matches since the Çaykur Rizespor game.

Leroy Sane on the bench for the first time

The Yellow-Reds' German player Leroy Sane was on the bench for the Liverpool match. Sane, who had started all 8 matches the Lions played this season—7 in the Trendyol Süper Lig and 1 in the UEFA Champions League—was named as a substitute for the first time this season.

Galatasaray's starting 11

Galatasaray started the match with: Uğurcan Çakır, Wilfried Singo, Davinson Sanchez, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Ismail Jakobs, Lucas Torreira, Mario Lemina, İlkay Gündoğan, Yunus Akgün, Barış Alper Yılmaz, and Victor Osimhen.

On the bench were Günay Güvenç, Metehan Baltacı, Eren Elmalı, Kaan Ayhan, Arda Ünyay, Roland Sallai, Gabriel Sara, Leroy Sane, Berkan Kutlu, Mauro Icardi, Ahmed Kutucu, and Yusuf Demir.

Liverpool's starting 11

Liverpool took the field with: Alisson, Jeremie Frimpong, Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, and Hugo Ekitike.

On the bench were Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, Andrew Robertson, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, and Rio Ngumoha.

Champions League match at RAMS Park after 671 days

Galatasaray last played a home match in the UEFA Champions League on November 29, 2023, against the English team Manchester United. Following that match, the Yellow-Reds returned to the Champions League at their home ground after 671 days with the Liverpool encounter.

Stands were full

Galatasaray fans did not leave their team alone for the Liverpool match. Filling the stands at RAMS Park, the Yellow-Red supporters prepared the players for this important challenge with chants before the match.

Diego Jota and Ahmet Çalık commemorated

Liverpool player Diego Jota, who lost his life in a traffic accident on July 3, 2025, was not forgotten during the Galatasaray-Liverpool match. Before the match, an announcement was made for Jota over the stadium speakers, and 'Rest in peace' messages were displayed on the stadium's LED screens. Galatasaray fans commemorated Jota with applause.

Galatasaray fans also remembered their former player Ahmet Çalık, who also passed away in a traffic accident, and unfurled a banner for both players that read, 'We will never forget you, Rest in peace, Ahmet and Jota'.

News Source: 12punto