Galatasaray and København both have a defeat and a draw to their names and will be looking for their first Group B win when they meet in Istanbul on matchday three. Real Madrid have the advantage in Group B after winning their first two games, in which they scored ten goals, and will be looking to extend their lead over old rivals Juventus to seven points when the teams meet at the Santiago Bernabéu on matchday three.
What to expect from the Matches
Galatasaray recovered from their 6-1 home defeat against Real Madrid by holding Juventus to a 2-2 draw in Roberto Mancini’s first game since taking over as coach. The Danish champions began with a 1-1 home draw against Juve before losing 4-0 in Madrid. The teams are meeting in an official game for the first time and it is also Galatasaray’s first experience of facing opponents from Denmark. København, who are in their third UEFA Champions League campaign, have met only one Turkish team, lining up against Trabzonspor in the 1991/92 UEFA Cup third round. They drew 1-1 away after a 1-0 win in Copenhagen.
Galatasaray are embarking on their second successive UEFA Champions League campaign having not played in the competition since 2006/07 before last season. Three years ago København finished second in their group behind FC Barcelona and on their travels won 2-0 at Panathinaikos FC, losing by the same score at Barcelona and 1-0 at FC Rubin Kazan. In the round of 16 they lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea FC, drawing 0-0 in the London return.
Madrid – seeking a tenth European Cup – started with a 6-1 win at Galatasaray and followed up with a 4-0 home win over København, Cristiano Ronaldo adding two goals to his matchday one hat-trick. Juventus were held 1-1 in Copenhagen and then drew 2-2 at home to Galatasaray. The fixture renews a rivalry between two teams who between them have lifted this trophy four times since the onset of the UEFA Champions League from a total of seven appearances in the final. The teams have faced each other 14 times – all in the European Cup – with home advantage proving key: Madrid’s home record is W5 L2 while Juventus’ is W5 L1.
Madrid were Group D runners-up last season behind Borussia Dortmund. The two sides met again in the semi-finals when a 4-1 reverse in Germany set them on their way to a third successive semi-final elimination despite a 2-0 home success. Madrid won four of their fixtures at the Santiago Bernabéu last season, drawing the other two. Juve, meanwhile, lost 2-0 home and away to Bayern München in last season’s quarter-finals to end an unbeaten 18-game European run. They drew their first two away games and won the next two, extending their unbeaten away run in Europe to nine games before the defeat in Germany.
Players to watch out for
Fernando Llorente (Juventus): Llorente made his UEFA Champions League debut on matchday two against Galatasaray. He played 34 UEFA Europa League games scoring 16 times for his former team Athletic Bilbao. Llorente marked his first start for Juventus with the winning goal against Hellas Verona FC on 22 September, and will lead the line in Carlos Tevez’s absence.
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid): He hasn’t been able to hit the ground running yet, and his performances have been a far cry from those that earned him his record-breaking transfer to the Spanish capital. The game will give him a chance to flaunt his ability before a demanding home crowd.
Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray): the Dutchman has been a big player for the Turkish giants and his playmaking abilities should be a class apart from the opponents.
Predicted Score lines & Starting line ups
Real Madrid 2-1 Juventus
Real Madrid have the quality to beat Juventus at home and it is likely for them to win as Carlo Ancelotti takes on his former team.
Galatasaray 2-0 København
Galatasaray have sufficient quality and experience in their team to be taking all three points from Copenhagen.