Europa League | Knockout Round Playoffs | 2nd Leg

Feb 20, 2025 at 5.45pm UK

Rams Global Stadium

Galatasaray vs AZ

(agg: 1-4)

Match preview

Although Roland Sallai's strike cancelled out Sven Mijnans' spectacular free-kick to bring Galatasaray level in Alkmaar, the Turkish giants eventually went down 4-1, with Kaan Ayhan's second-half dismissal proving costly.

AZ capitalised by scoring twice more after taking the lead through Troy Parrott's penalty, leaving Gala with a steep hill to climb before their return this week.

However, Okan Buruk can still dream of an incredible comeback as his side have scored three or more goals in six of their last seven European home games. With Cimbom also having scored at least three goals in each of their last five Europa League home games, their notoriously fervent fans will have plenty to cheer about.

However, Galatasaray have conceded at least once in their last 21 continental games, and another this week would surely end their hopes of reaching the last 16.

History is not on Gala's side: there have been 57 occasions when a team has lost the first leg of a Europa League knockout tie by three goals or more, and only one has gone through. Valencia did so against Basel in 2014, losing 3-0 before winning 5-0 a week later.

After their last Super Lig match was brought to an abrupt end when the entire Adana Demirspor team walked off the field in protest, the Turkish champions - and current league leaders - beat Caykur Rizespor in a more conventional contest on Monday.

Star striker Victor Osimhen scored a brace for Rize and his return from a UEFA suspension will give the hosts a much-needed boost on Thursday night.

With such a healthy lead, AZ are certainly in the driving seat - and they have had the weekend off from domestic duty to prepare.

Only Ajax have conceded fewer goals in the Eredivisie this season, but they have been less resilient on the European stage so far.

Indeed, Maarten Marten's men were three goals down at half-time in their last away game against league opponents Ferencvaros, although they went on to win 4-3.

While Galatasaray are the top scorers in the 2024-25 Europa League with 20 goals, AZ are third on the table with just three fewer, so it could be a spectacular shootout.

Including last week's win, the Alkmaar club are on a four-match winning streak, with their KNVB Beker quarter-final win sandwiched between 2-0 top-flight wins over Willem II and PEC Zwolle.

As a result, they will go into what is sure to be a warm welcome with the belief that they can knock one of the favourites out of the competition.

Recent Performance

Galatasaray Europa League form:WDDDLL

Galatasaray form (all competitions):LWWWLW

AZ Alkmaar Europa League form:WDDWLW

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):LLWWWW

Team News

Galatasaray will welcome back Davinson Sanchez, Lucas Torreira and Victor Osimhen from suspension, with the latter leading an attack that will be without high-profile strikers Alvaro Morata (hamstring) and Mauro Icardi (ACL).

Yunus Akgun and Ismail Jakobs are both sidelined with muscular injuries, while versatile defender Kaan Ayhan will be missing after being sent off in Alkmaar.

New full-back Przemyslaw Frankowski, who set up one of Osimhen's goals against Rizespor, and Gabon midfielder Mario Lemina, who made his first appearance for Gala, have not been included in the updated UEFA squad list.

Meanwhile, AZ are still without Ruben van Bommel, Sem Westerveld and Ibrahim Sadiq through injury, but Kristijan Belic returns after serving a Europa League ban.

Belic will compete with Kees Smit - who scored in the 1-1 draw with Galatasaray in the league phase in November - and Jordy Clasie to partner Peer Koopmeiners in central midfield.

Up front, Sven Mijnans will support top scorer Troy Parrott, who has 17 goals in all competitions this season, including three in his last three Europa League appearances.

Possible starting lineup

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Jelert, Sanchez, Bardakci, Kutlu; Torreira, Sara; Sallai, Mertens, Yilmaz; Osimhen

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Owusu-Oduro; Kasius, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Poku, Mijnans, Lahdo; Parrott