Sporting turned it around, and it finished 3–1
Galatasaray led at Sporting. Then Sporting scored three, and your Champions League opener ended 3–1 (1). Rafael Leao came on and could not change it. His first European night for Galatasaray was rough, booed in Lisbon on every touch of the ball (1). Leroy Sané was out there too, and the away end is still trying to work out what he gives this team (1).
Six European games without Osimhen, six times you drop points
Sporting 3–1 Galatasaray is the sixth European match Victor Osimhen has missed, and Galatasaray have dropped points in all six (4). That is the pattern nobody wants to look at. In the Süper Lig you are top on 10 points from 4, with a +6 goal difference. In Europe the numbers read differently.
Zalazar's free-kick settled it
Rodrigo Zalazar bent in the free-kick that made it 3–1 for Sporting (1)(7). The talk in Portugal afterwards was not about the goal but the price tag. "I'm waiting for more, the 30-million backpack weighs," was the verdict on him (7).
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Icardi is still without a club
Mauro Icardi left Galatasaray in the summer and still has no team (2)(5). Everton are considering a free-transfer move, and Icardi is open to it (2). In January he told Juventus to write the contract and he would sign blank, according to Alfredo Pedullà: "quando a gennaio la Juve lo aveva chiamato, Icardi ha detto 'Firmate voi, faccio in bianco'" (5). Turkish reports say he is heading to a neighbouring country in a move nobody saw coming (10).
Ziyech has a new club
Hakim Ziyech has signed for Botafogo until the end of 2028 (6)(9). The former Galatasaray man was most recently at Wydad AC. "A estrela sempre me guiou. Ziyech é Botafogo," he said (9).
The Ayari door looks closed
Brighton are in advanced talks on a four-year extension with a significant pay rise for Yasin Ayari, despite interest from Galatasaray (3).
Fan mood: Sane, and the Sporting collapse
Supporters are still picking apart the 3–1 at Sporting. One long thread argues the lead was given away too cheaply and the game should have been killed off before Sporting came back. The most repeated question is Leroy Sané: a huge talent who tries to beat his man, loses the ball nine times out of ten, and leaves fans unable to place him. There is also a sharp post about Gundogan and how tired people are of the debate around him (8). Join the discussion
Kocaelispor at home on Sunday
Back to the league. Kocaelispor visit on Sunday, September 13, 19:00 CEST. Then Trabzonspor away on Saturday, September 19.
