20.02.2025 22:40
In the second leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, Galatasaray hosted AZ Alkmaar and drew 2-2 at home, resulting in their elimination from the tournament and closing the chapter on their European campaign. The yellow-reds had also lost 4-1 to their opponent in the first match in the Netherlands.
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Galatasaray hosted AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16. After losing the first match 4-1 in the Netherlands, the yellow-reds drew 2-2 with their opponent at RAMS Park, thus being eliminated from the tournament and closing the European chapter.
FORCED CHANGE IN AZ ALKMAAR
AZ Alkmaar was forced to make a substitution at the beginning of the match. In the 10th minute, Mijnans, who fell to the ground, tried to continue for a while but could not continue the game. The 24-year-old player was replaced by Buurmeester in the 12th minute.
CRITICAL SAVES FROM GÜNAY AT THE START OF THE MATCH
With Okan Buruk's choice, Günay Güvenç took over the goal in this match instead of Muslera and stood out with his saves in the first 45 minutes. A situation in the 13th minute in front of the yellow-reds' goal drew attention. The visiting team developed an attack from the left wing and Parrot struck the ball that was crossed into the center, the ball rebounded from the defense and remained in front of Poku in the back area. Günay saved Poku's shot, and then Davinson Sanchez cleared the shot from Belic just in front of the line.
DUTCH REPRESENTATIVE FOUND THE GOAL
Günay Güvenç, who became a star with his critical saves, could not prevent a goal in the 43rd minute. Poku, who reached the byline on the right diagonal of the penalty area, crossed the ball to Maikuma, who struck it near the near post. The ball deflected off the defense and found the net. This goal, which put the visiting team ahead 1-0, also determined the score of the first half.
OKAN BURUK MADE 2 MOVES AT HALFTIME
Galatasaray's head coach Okan Buruk started the second half with two substitutions. He took Davinson Sanchez and Dries Mertens off the field and brought on Metehan Baltacı and Kerem Demirbay. AZ Alkmaar brought Kasius on for Lahdo.
KASIUS INCREASED THE LEAD TO 2
AZ Alkmaar scored another goal in the 55th minute with Denso Kasius, who came on as a substitute. Kasius, who found the ball after Kerem Demirbay lost it, sent the ball into the net with a shot from outside the penalty area, increasing the lead to 2.
OSIMHEN REDUCED THE LEAD TO 1
Galatasaray reduced the lead to 1 just a minute after this goal. Sara jumped over the ball that was sent from the right wing to the center. Osimhen, who met the ball in the penalty area, took his shot and the ball went into the net. With this goal, the score became 2-1.
SALLAI BROUGHT THE EQUALIZER
Galatasaray equalized in the 70th minute with Roland Sallai, who scored the only goal for his team in the first match. Barış Alper, who moved on the left wing with Berkan's pass and met the ball, sent it to Sallai, who was at the edge of the penalty area. The Hungarian player's shot with his left foot found the net, making the score 2-2.
CIMBOM CLOSED THE EUROPEAN CHAPTER
As there were no more goals in the remaining minutes, Galatasaray was eliminated from the UEFA Europa League in the Round of 16 playoffs. Thus, the yellow-reds closed their European chapter this season. AZ Alkmaar, who established a total superiority of 6-3 over our representative after two matches, managed to secure a place in the Round of 16.
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