Galatasaray vs Bodø / Glimt

This is Galatasaray's 19th Champions League campaign, more than all other Turkish clubs combined. However, it is only their second in six years, as the Lions continue to rebuild their European credentials. Gala have lost just three of their last 19 home European matches (W11 D5) and are unbeaten in six (W4 D2), scoring in 22 of their last 23 at Rams Park. Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been key, with his winner against Liverpool making him the first Nigerian to reach ten Champions League goals. Meanwhile, Galatasaray will look to maintain their impressive home form in Europe as they host Bodø/Glimt on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League. The Turkish giants come into this fixture on a high after a crucial 1–0 win over Liverpool, while the Norwegian champions continue to ride the momentum of an unbeaten league-phase run that has seen them draw against Slavia Praha (2–2) and Tottenham Hotspur (2–2) so far. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, though both are familiar with each other’s domestic dominance and attacking philosophies. Galatasaray are unbeaten in their three home encounters against Norwegian sides (W2 D1) and most recently defeated Molde 2–1 in Istanbul and 3–2 away in the 2023/24 qualifying play-offs. Overall, the Istanbul club have won three of their six matches against Norwegian teams (D1 L2) and will aim to extend that record in front of their famously passionate home crowd. Victor Osimhen is expected at the attacking end of Galatasaray’s 4—2—3—1 formation. Wilfried Singo is ruled out of this fixture due to injury.

Bodø/Glimt have enjoyed a remarkable rise in European football in recent years, though they remain in search of a maiden UCL win after back-to-back draws which leaves them in a lowly 24th place. Meanwhile, after struggling in their early matchups with Turkish opposition (D1 L3), they have since won their last three encounters — all against Beşiktaş — including a memorable 3–1 victory at home and a 2–1 success in Istanbul in the 2023/24 Conference League. For Bodø/Glimt, the challenge will be replicating their attacking threat away from Norway. Despite being unbeaten in five league-stage matches (W2 D3) and scoring two or more goals in ten of their last 14 such fixtures, Glimt have not won in eight away European games (D2 L6), leaving their last success on the road over a year ago against Braga. Bodø/Glimt will take the shape of a conventional 4—3—3 formation having Kasper Høgh, Hague and Sondre Auklend in attack.