Galatasaray's injury crisis has worsened ahead of their Champions League trip to Sporting Lisbon, with defender Abdülkerim Bardakcı now also ruled out. The national team centre-back is not fit enough to start in this week's key European fixture.
Manager Okan Buruk is unwilling to risk Bardakcı. This situation significantly increases the likelihood of summer signing El Chadaille Bitshiabu making his first Champions League start for the club. Bitshiabu has featured in two Süper Lig matches so far this season. The current status of all players can be checked on the club's squad page.
The injury problems that began during the training camp persist. Victor Osimhen, Fernando Pimenta, and Mario Lemina were already absent, and Victor Osimhen, who was injured in the last league match, did not travel to Portugal. Osimhen's groin issue will keep him sidelined for a further period. Detailed injury updates and return estimates are available on our injuries page. His absence creates a major gap in the attacking line.
Okan Buruk plans to test Barış Alper Yılmaz in the centre-forward role in Osimhen's absence. This change will have a domino effect on the wing positions. Leroy Sane is expected to operate on the left flank, with Yunus Akgün on the right. Rafael Leao is likely to be introduced in the second half. The team's performance data for this season can be found in the stats section.
In central defence, Bitshiabu could partner Davinson Sánchez. At right-back, in the continued absence of Sacha Boey, Roland Sallai, who joined from the Premier League this season, may fill in. The midfield duo is projected to be Lucas Torreira and Gabriel Sara. Uğurcan Çakır is anticipated to start in goal. Sözcü's report suggests the probable lineup is as follows: Uğurcan Çakır, Roland Sallai, Davinson Sánchez, Bitshiabu, Mitchel Bakker, Gabriel Sara, Lucas Torreira, Aleksey Batrakov, Leroy Sane, Yunus Akgün, and Barış Alper Yılmaz.
The team will continue their Süper Lig campaign following this difficult away match. Galatasaray's next league opponent and full fixture schedule are listed on the fixtures page.
