Galatasaray 2-1 Benfica
Matchday 3 in the Champions League saw Benfica travel to Istanbul to take on Turkish giants, Galatasaray. Rui Vitória’s side topped Group C going into this game, with maximum points from a home fixture with Astana and a trip to Madrid to take on Atletico.
A 4-4-2 system was named with Sílvio continuing at right-back in place of the injured Nélson Semedo. Up front, Raúl Jiménez started alongside Jonas in place of Kostas Mitroglou who dropped to the bench.
And so it was that the Lisbon side got off to a perfect start with Gaitán opening the scoring after just 2 minutes. The Argentine turned Galatasaray defender, Carole, inside out before executing a delightful chip over the on-rushing goalkeeper, Muslera. The strike was superbly taken and silenced a very vocal crowd in the Türk Telekom Arena.
André Almeida’s diving block in the 19th minute resulted in the Portuguese midfielder handling the ball from close range. Scottish referee, William Collum, pointed to the spot and Gala skipper, Inan, fired home into the roof of the net which gave Júlio César no chance.
On 33 minutes, Podolski latched onto a long ball forward from Gala centre-half, Chedjou. The German international striker proceeded to outpace Jardel and slot the ball home underneath Júlio César to give the Turkish side the lead going into the break.
Second Half
In the second half, the pace was noticeably slower but Jonas had a good effort from outside the box well-saved on 48 minutes. And a minute later, Galatasaray returned the favour when Wesley Sneijder’s effort from range left Júlio César wrong-footed and hit the post.
Júlio César made a superb save on 51 minutes from Bulut. A Wesley Sneijder corner found the Turkish forward in the 6-yard box but the Brazilian ‘keeper kept the ball out when he had no business doing so from such a nailed on position.
Both sides continued to trade chances but the pace never really recovered to its pre-half time level. Galatasaray looked happy to play possession football and settle for a 2-1 win while Benfica struggled to create meaningful chances.
The jury is still out on Mexican striker, Raúl Jiménez, who struggled to become a focal point. Gaitán, however, had a good game for the Lisbon side and was involved in most of the good work throughout the night. The Argentina thoroughly deserved his goal.
What Next?
This result leaves Benfica in top spot within Group C, leading Atletico Madrid on the head-to-head rule. The Spaniards ran out convincing 4-0 winners over Astana tonight. Galatasaray now have 4 points and sit in 3rd. So all to play for going into the second half of the group stage, with Benfica taking on Galatasaray at the Estádio da Luz on Tuesday 3rd November.
And so Benfica now return to Portugal and ready themselves to take on cross-city rivals, Sporting on Sunday.
by Paul Gellard
Galatasaray: Muslera - Sarioglu, Chedjou, Balta, Carole, Inan (C), Kisa, Podolski, Sneijder, Oztekin (Adin 58), Bulut (Yilmaz 77).
Benfica: Júlio César - Sílvio (Mitroglou 81), Luisão (C), Jardel, Eliseu (Pizzi 66), André Almeida, Samaris, Gonçalo Guedes (Victor Andrade 75), Jonas, Gaitán, Raúl Jiménez.
Goals:
[0-1] Gaitán, 2'
[1-1] Inan, 19'
[2-1] Podolski, 33'
