Young Boys vs Galatasaray

Stadion Wankdorf forms the backdrop for the first leg of a mouth-watering Champions League qualification playoff tie between Young Boys and Galatasaray.

Back-to-back Swiss champions Young Boys stampeded to a 10-0 win at the weekend in the Swiss Cup, netting double digits in a single game for the first time since August 2022 to set themselves up nicely for this pivotal fixture. Patrick Rahmen’s side navigated this qualification stage last term with flying colors, beating Maccabi Haifa 3-0 at home and overall to reach the group stages. Replicating that feat versus Galatasaray won’t be simple, even though Young Boys boast an unbeaten European record against Turkish opposition (W1, D1). Indeed, they’ve stuttered in the Champions League, racking up only two triumphs across their last 13 fixtures (D4, L7). Adding to Rahmen’s concerns, his charges have conceded at least two goals in five of their six outings at Europe’s top table.

On the other hand, Galatasaray won a record-breaking 24th Super Lig title in 2023/24, defending the crown right under Fenerbahce’s noses to set up this tie. Okan Buruk’s team excelled in domestic football last term, garnering a jaw-dropping 102 points, and have started the new league campaign in a similar vein with back-to-back 2-1 wins against Konyaspor and Hatayspor. However, an embarrassing 5-0 Super Cup defeat to bitter rivals Besiktas left a bitter taste in Buruk’s mouth, serving as a stark reminder for Galatasaray not to take anything for granted. The visitors head to Bern in high spirits, falling back on a sterling historic run against Swiss clubs in European football (W11, D2, L4). Further confidence comes from scoring 2+ goals in 11 of their last 15 competitive matches (W13, L2).