Manchester City vs Galatasaray

City are looking to steady themselves after a rare dip in European form, while the Turkish champions arrive knowing history is within touching distance if they can find the net. Pep Guardiola’s side are in 11th place with 13 points and are vying for an automatic place in the knockout place. A 2-0 home loss to Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 5 ended an extraordinary 23-match unbeaten run at home in the Champions League league phase and group stage (W20 D3), a streak that had stood since September 2018. That setback was followed by a 3-1 defeat away to Bodø/Glimt on Matchday 7, raising questions about City’s rhythm at a crucial point in the competition [WWLWL]. Another defeat at the Etihad would mark City’s first run of back-to-back home losses in the Champions League since a spell spanning the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons. Despite that wobble, City’s European pedigree at home remains formidable, and Guardiola will expect a strong response. Adding extra intrigue is the presence of familiar faces in the Galatasaray squad. İlkay Gündoğan, now pulling the strings in midfield for the Istanbul club, remains a hugely significant figure in City’s recent history. The German international scored 65 goals in 358 appearances across two spells at the Etihad and captained the side to their first-ever Champions League triumph in 2022/23. Leroy Sané is another with deep City connections, having scored 39 goals in 135 matches under Guardiola between 2016 and 2020. A 4—1—4—1 formation with Erling Haaland in attack is expected against the visitors. Rodri is suspended for this fixture.

Galatasaray, in 17th place, arrive in Manchester having shown resilience in recent weeks. A 1-1 draw at home to Atlético de Madrid on Matchday 7 means they have lost just two of their last six Champions League matches (W3 D1), although they are without a win in their last three [WWLLD]. Their biggest concern remains form on the road. The Turkish champions have managed only one win in their last 12 away European fixtures (D3 L8). That said, Galatasaray do carry motivation beyond points. They need just two goals to become the first Turkish club to reach 250 goals in European Cup and Champions League history, a milestone that would be a source of immense pride. Historically, they have also fared well against English opposition of late, remaining unbeaten in their last four UEFA competition matches against Premier League sides (W3 D1). A 4—2—3—1 formation with Osimhen in attack is expected against City. Metehan Baltaci is suspended for this clash.