Champions League starts tonight at Alvalade
Your team is away at Sporting tonight for the Champions League opener (1) (2). Top of the Süper Lig, 10 points from four games, three wins on the bounce. Last season ended in the last 16. This season you want more.
Leão returns to where it started
Rafael Leão grew up in Sporting's academy. Tonight he walks back into Alvalade in Galatasaray colours (2). He did not hide from it. "I'm ready for the win," he said. "I'll give everything for Galatasaray" (9).
On Sporting he kept it clean: "They play very good football, very high quality players. But we want to show our own quality" (9).
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€42m plus bonuses, that's the deal
Leão joined from Milan for €42 million, plus €3 million in bonuses and 20% on any future resale (7). He explained the exit himself: "Sometimes in life there are periods when you have to make a change" (7). And he said he will keep supporting Milan.
Buruk: "A very good team"
Okan Buruk called Sporting "a very good team" and said the plan is to win, even with some absences (8).
Sara could get the Brazil call today
Gabriel Sara has a double day. Champions League opener against Sporting, and Carlo Ancelotti names his Brazil squad today (5).
He is already thinking bigger than last season: "Just stepping on the pitch and hearing that music is a childhood dream. Scoring a goal makes it even more special. I think we can do even more this edition" (5).
Lille started with a loss
Your week 3 opponents Lille lost their Champions League opener at home, 2–3 to Real Betis (13). They host you in week 3.
Fan-reaktioner
Fans are all over the press conference quotes, especially Leão's warning that Sporting will be tough. The mood reads confident but grounded. There is also some lighter content doing the rounds, including an appreciation post for Okan Buruk's Champions League look. Press conference thread
