On August 22 at 3:00 AM, the first leg of the 2024/25 Champions League qualifying round will see Swiss team BSC Young Boys host Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray. As champions of last season’s Swiss Super League, BSC Young Boys have had a disastrous start to the new season, with two draws and three losses in five matches, showing no signs of a defending champion and currently sitting second from bottom in the league table. Galatasaray, on the other hand, has performed normally, winning both of their opening matches with a scoreline of 2-1 each time, placing them second in the league.
So far this summer transfer window, Young Boys have invested 1.65 million euros, with their only outgoing being the 1.65 million euro purchase of 24-year-old right winger Kudus from Atalanta. Additionally, they signed Conti from Ligue 2 side Bastia for free and loaned three players from Augsburg and Lille to bolster their squad. Despite minimal activity in the transfer market, their performance in the new season has been disappointing, scoring six goals and conceding thirteen in the first five rounds. In contrast, at this time last year, Young Boys had three wins and two draws. With their domestic form plummeting and facing a regular Champions League participant like Galatasaray, it seems that trouble is piling up for Young Boys.
Galatasaray’s investment in the transfer market remains consistent. They spent a total of 27 million euros, including an 18 million euro signing of midfielder Sargent from Norwich and a 9 million euro acquisition of Juelsgaard from Copenhagen. They also signed Hakim Ziyech and Michy Batshuayi on free transfers and sold Tete to Panathinaikos for 7.25 million euros. These moves have slightly strengthened Galatasaray’s squad. In the opening two league matches, Icardi contributed two goals and one assist, while fellow forwards Yilmaz and Akturkoglu each scored one goal.
BSC Young Boys have appeared in the Champions League group stage three times, in the 2023/24, 2021/22, and 2018/19 seasons. Given their current form, if they cannot adjust promptly, they may find themselves fighting relegation. Galatasaray’s best Champions League performances came during the 2012/13 and 2000/01 seasons when they reached the quarter-finals but were stopped by Real Madrid. Last season, they failed to progress through the group containing Manchester United, Copenhagen, and Bayern Munich.
The two teams have never faced each other before. However, Young Boys have played against Fenerbahce twice, recording one win and one draw. Galatasaray have faced Swiss teams 17 times historically, with a record of 11 wins, two draws, and four losses, suggesting they are not intimidated by their opponents.
Young Boys’ rise over recent seasons has not been due to the exceptional performances of just one or two individuals, but rather their ability to score from multiple sources, which has been key to their success in the league. Players such as Guillaume Hoarau, Ilyas, Nsame, and Montoro contribute to the team’s offensive output. For Galatasaray, it has almost become Icardi’s solo show, with Zaha and Akturkoglu occasionally contributing from the flanks. However, Galatasaray are dealing with some injuries, with Sanchez out since the 9th of this month. Akturkoglu has recently suffered from food poisoning, which could affect his performance in the upcoming Champions League qualifier.
Young Boys have stumbled repeatedly in the league, failing to win any of their first five matches, leaving their form in question. Although Galatasaray started with two consecutive wins, the team has yet to reach its peak form. Despite their apparent superiority on paper, playing away will be a stern test for the Turkish team.
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