Galatasaray completed its final preparations in Lisbon ahead of its UEFA Europa League match against Sporting CP. The last training session took place at the José Alvalade Stadium on Wednesday, September 9th, ahead of the 22:00 kick-off, with the first 15 minutes open to the press.
According to the report from Fotomac, the open segment under manager Okan Buruk involved light jogging and warm-up exercises. After the media left the pitch, the team moved to a closed session. Galatasaray players focused on specific tactical work for the Sporting match during this private period. Following the session, the squad returned to its hotel to await match time.
How did Rafael Leao perform in training?
One of the notable performers in the final workout was new Portuguese signing Rafael Leao, who arrived from Sporting's academy. During the open segment's ball control and passing drills, where players split into two groups, Leao's entertaining movements and technical skill drew attention. This session is seen as part of the star player's integration process. The team's overall condition aligns with its successful domestic performance. Galatasaray leads the Süper Lig with 10 points from 4 games, recording 3 wins and 1 draw. Sitting one point clear of Beşiktaş, the yellow-reds have scored 12 goals and conceded 6 for a +6 goal difference. Their recent form of win, win, win, draw (WWWD) has given them confidence heading into the European arena.
How did Sporting CP prepare for the match?
The opponent, Sporting CP, also finalized its preparations under head coach Rui Borges for the same important European fixture. Both teams aim to take to the pitch in optimal condition for this important match set in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. While the José Alvalade Stadium is familiar ground for the hosts, Galatasaray's training there was important for acclimatization. The team's current form and squad depth provide hope for a positive result in this difficult away fixture. Galatasaray, eager to translate its domestic success to Europe, is locked on this goal with the players whose details can be found on our squad page.
What is Galatasaray's position in the league?
The team is attracting attention with its performance in the Süper Lig. Galatasaray, having taken points from all 4 of its matches, sits at the top of the table with 10 points. The team, which has scored 12 goals and conceded 6 for a +6 goal difference, has decorated its last four-match performance series with victories. These statistics can also be tracked on our league standings page. The team, wanting to maintain its position in the leadership seat, will prepare for its next league appointment after the European match. Galatasaray's next Süper Lig match will be at home against 11th-placed Rizespor on December 6, 2026. The European matches to be played until this date will make the team's schedule quite busy. You can review the entire match schedule on our fixtures page.
