Galatasaray Istanbul also suffered a deserved defeat at AS Monaco. Coach Okan Buruk’s team can only keep up for one half.
Galatasaray Istanbul has to deal with the next setback Champions League Cope with: After their recent home defeat against Union St. Gilloise (0-1), the Turks also suffered a defeat at AS Monaco.
The 0:1 (0:0) in Stade Louis II could have been significantly higher in favor of the Monegasques. But above all Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir and the hosts’ insufficient conversion of chances prevented a significantly higher result. Monaco striker Folarin Balogun (68th) scored the goal of the evening.
While coach Okan Buruk’s team, which showed a weak second half after a solid first half, now has to worry about qualifying for the playoffs again, the Monegasques (9), who are now tied on points, can only hope to achieve this goal again after this success.
Gündogan with the leadership opportunity
Both teams started with commitment but errors. There were many duels and ball losses in the early stages. Almost nothing happened in the two penalty areas until the 13th minute, when Galatasaray defender Ismail Jakobs made his way to the baseline on the left side and passed flat into the penalty area.
Ilkay Gündogan, who was running along, actually only had to shoot the ball into the goal from six meters, but he smashed the ball steeply over the crossbar.
The Turks then briefly dominated the game. National player Leroy Sané had his best scenes in this phase. Baris Yilmaz could have benefited from a mistake by AS defender Vanderson just five minutes later, but the offensive player only hit the side netting from a half-left position.
Monaco’s Akliouche with Long-distance shots
From this moment on, the Monegasques also decided to make their attacks a little more targeted. Shortly afterwards, offensive player Maghnes Akliouche shot from 16 meters completely unmarked, but Galatasaray goalkeeper Cakir was able to parry the shot.
And Akliouche drew attention again after 29 minutes. After a nice solo down the right side, he moved inside and tried again with a strong long-range shot. But Cakir was there again and was able to save.
As a result, both teams tried to achieve the goal primarily with quick transition play, but there were again too many passing errors and slight ball losses on both sides. There were no chances to score.
Zakaria fails from the penalty spot
As soon as the second half began, Monaco had the chance to take the lead. Takumi Minamino tried a direct shot from eight meters from a central position, but goalkeeper Cakir was right again. However, Gala defender Davinson Sanchez then kicked the Japanese player from behind. According to the television images, referee Danny Makkelie awarded a penalty.
The former Mönchengladbacher Denis Zakaria tried from the penalty spot, but Cakir (50th) had a great day and also parried this shot – albeit an unplaced one.
Balogun scores in the third attempt
Monaco then took the initiative and was far too careless with the goal chances that were all beautifully created. AS attacker Balogun (58th) achieved the feat of shooting the ball next to the goal from four meters away. Two minutes later it was Balogun again, this time alone in front of Cakir, who hit the ball over the goal from eight meters.
The goalkeeper’s many saves left their mark; Cakir had to leave the pitch after 65 minutes with a thigh injury. The German-Turkish Günay Güvenc came on as a substitute and had to get the ball straight out of his goal net.
What happened: After a corner, Balogun converted with his knee from two meters to give the team a deserved 1-0 lead. Güvenc had not yet touched the ball until then.
Galatasaray too safe
Even after that, coach Sebastien Pocognoli’s team remained the dominant team. Lamine Camara had a great chance to score the second goal for the hosts from 14 meters, completely unmarked. But his direct shot also missed the Turkish goal.
There was hardly any sign of the Turks, and despite their intensive efforts in the final minutes, there was no significant chance to score.