Our prediction for this Champions League match:
PSV
Match Time & Date:
21/07/2021
21:00
Prediction: 2-1
Galatasaray
All eyes will be on Phillips Stadion when PSV and Galatasaray square off against each other in the Champions League second qualifying round, first leg. PSV were producing fine displays in preseason, and they head into the match following a hard-fought 1-0 win over PAOK. The club chiefs did well to keep hold of key players in the summer transfer window, and it is no wonder the Eredivisie outfit are seen as favourites to win the first leg.
The Turks, on the other hand, missed out on the domestic trophy on the last day of the season. The club management is on the verge of signing Leeds United star Ezgjan Elioski, but a man to watch in the away team will be experienced Dutch attacker Ryan Babel, who scored seven goals in the Turkish Super Lig last term. Anyhow, we are tempted to put our money on PSV, who looked sharp in pre-season friendlies.
Highlighted Player (Mario Gotze):
Mario Gotze is a German midfielder, who played for Ronsberg and Eintrach Hombruch during his youth career before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2001. He made a great progress during his spell at the Borussia Dortmund’s youth academy and on 21 November, 2009 he made his Bundesliga debut for the Millionaires.
Gotze scored 22 goals in 83 league appearances for the club between 2009 and 2013 and he joined Borussia Dortmund’s bitterest rivals Bayern Munich on April, 2013. The German midfielder, who is capable of playing as a striker as well, failed to impress in the 2015/2016 Bundesliga campaign, but it has to be noted that he was struggling with injury at the start of the season.
Gotze won three Bundesliga trophies with Bayern Munich, but at the end of the 2015/2016 season he returned to Borussia Dortmund. In 2014 he represented Germany at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and he scored the winner in the final against Argentina. Mario Gotze was born in Memmingen on 3 June, 1992.
Highlighted Team (Galatasaray):
Over the years Galatasaray have established themselves as one of the best teams in Turkey. The Aslanlar (the Lions) were founded back in October 1905 by Ali Sami Yen and fellow students of Galatasaray High School. Ali Sami Yen himself was the club’s first president and, as a result, he was given the club’s membership No. 1.
The Gala are one of the most successful Turkish teams and it has to be noted that they won their 21st Super Lig trophy in the 2017/2018 season. The capital club collected 75 points from possible 102, with the team finishing the season three points clear of their bitter rivals Fenerbahce. Speaking of European success, Galatasaray won UEFA Cup in the 1999/2000 season, with the team beating Arsenal on penalties in the title game.
In 2000 the Lions won UEFA Super cup as they outplayed star-studded Real Madrid 2-1 at Stade Louis II in Monaco. Galatasaray play their home games at Turk Telekom Stadi and they are well known for their yellow and red jerseys.
