The week Galatasaray found their legs again
Lille 2–4 Galatasaray on Wednesday. That is the result that changed the mood, and it changed it in the competition where Galatasaray had just been embarrassed at home. Eight days after Barcelona left Istanbul with a 4–1 win, Okan Buruk's side went to France and scored four. Now Fenerbahçe come to RAMS Park on Monday (1) (13).
The Barcelona night still matters, because it is the reason this derby is not being framed as a formality. Galatasaray sit second on 19 points from eight games, goal difference +6, and the last five league results read L W L W W (1). That is not a champion's rhythm. It is a team that keeps repairing itself.
Leão out, and the shape of the attack changes
Rafael Leão is ruled out of the derby through injury (1). Leroy Sané is hoping to start (1). That is not a like-for-like swap, and anyone pretending otherwise has not watched Sané play. Leão carries the ball and drags defenders out of position. Sané wants the ball in behind. Galatasaray will attack differently on Monday.
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Leão has still sent a message ahead of the game, with his recovery being tracked closely (4). Fine. The decision was never his to make.
Buruk's midfield call is the real puzzle
Okan Buruk has his XI largely settled and is expected to make one change from the Lille lineup, favouring Mario Lemina in midfield over Gabriel Sara (2) (8). Lemina gives you legs and duels against a Fenerbahçe side that will press. Sara gives you the pass that breaks a press. Buruk is choosing the fight over the ball.
The 407th derby is the context here, and Fenerbahçe arrive aiming to level the points, without Marco Asensio and Nathan Aké (13). Fenerbahçe needing a win to draw level tells you exactly what is at stake: a Galatasaray win opens a gap, a defeat hands them the momentum.
What the week says about the squad
Away from the derby, Galatasaray's scouting is running. A 16-year-old from Trabzonspor's academy, Kuzey Ersoy, has had his move registered with the federation (3). Then the rumours: André Onana, on loan at Trabzonspor, linked for €10m (7), €65m of winter support reportedly ready from businessman Bahattin Demirbilek (6), and a renewed look at Ismaila Sarr in 2027 (11) (12). None of it wins Monday.
What to watch
Monday, 19:30 CET, Fenerbahçe at RAMS Park (1). Then Konyaspor away on Friday and Stuttgart at home on November 3 (1). Watch Lemina's first twenty minutes. If Fenerbahçe play through him, Buruk's midfield call goes the wrong way, and Galatasaray go into that Stuttgart night with the table tight again.
