Match report
Galatasaray Secures Narrow Victory Over FK Zalgiris Vilnius In UEFA Champions League
Galatasaray
1–0
FT
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
Aug 2, 2023
Galatasaray secured a narrow but crucial victory over FK Zalgiris Vilnius in their UEFA Champions League opener, thanks to an early goal from veteran forward Dries Mertens. Despite numerous yellow cards and late substitutions on both sides, the Turkish giants held onto their lead for a 1-0 triumph.
Key Facts
- • Final score: Galatasaray 1–0 FK Zalgiris Vilnius
- • Goal by Dries Mertens in the 31st minute secured victory for Galatasaray
- • Joel Bopesu of FK Zalgiris Vilnius received a yellow card in the 5th minute
- • Dries Mertens also picked up a yellow card in the 62nd minute for Galatasaray
- • FK Zalgiris Vilnius made three substitutions, including P. Mamic and O. Buff
Lineups
Galatasaray
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 1 F. Muslera (G)
- 93 S. Boey (D)
- 25 V. Nelsson (D)
- 42 A. Bardakcı (D)
- 3 Angeliño (D)
- 22 B. Kutlu (M)
- 27 Sérgio Oliveira (M)
- 53 B. Yılmaz (M)
- 10 D. Mertens (M)
- 7 K. Aktürkoğlu (M)
- 21 H. Dervişoğlu (F)
Substitutes
- 11 Y. Akgün
- 6 F. Midtsjø
- 80 O. Moruțan
- 94 C. Bakambu
- 23 K. Ayhan
- 40 E. Bayram
- 2 L. Dubois
- 88 K. Karataş
- 54 E. Kılınç
- 63 B. Aksaka
- 35 B. Şen
- 81 H. Akman
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
Formation: 4-4-2
Starting XI
- 1 E. Gertmonas (G)
- 3 M. Pavelić (D)
- 26 N. Hnid (D)
- 31 S. Vučur (D)
- 7 J. Bopesu (D)
- 15 O. Buff (M)
- 5 N. Gorobsov (M)
- 71 Y. Kendysh (M)
- 12 P. Mamić (M)
- 10 P. Golubickas (F)
- 99 M. Oyewusi (F)
Substitutes
- 77 Á. Vilhjálmsson
- 8 Y. Karashima
- 22 O. Verbickas
- 80 L. Antal
- 33 M. Milićković
- 4 K. Kažukolovas
- 70 D. Elzbergas
- 23 R. Jansonas
- 25 T. Duka
- 13 S. Mikoliūnas
- 2 A. Fofana
Timeline
-
5' FK Zalgiris Vilnius Card · Yellow CardJoel Bopesu
Foul
-
31' Galatasaray Goal · Normal GoalDries Mertens · Assist: K. Akturkoglu
-
46' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 1Off: H. Dervişoğlu · On: Y. Akgun
-
56' FK Zalgiris Vilnius Card · Yellow CardM. Oyewusi
Foul
-
59' FK Zalgiris Vilnius subst · Substitution 1Off: P. Mamic · On: Á. Vilhjálmsson
-
62' Galatasaray Card · Yellow CardDries Mertens
Foul
-
69' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 2Off: Sérgio Oliveira · On: F. Midtsjø
-
74' FK Zalgiris Vilnius subst · Substitution 2Off: O. Buff · On: Y. Karashima
-
77' FK Zalgiris Vilnius Card · Yellow CardN. Hnid
Foul
-
77' FK Zalgiris Vilnius Var · Red card cancelledN. Hnid
-
78' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 3Off: Dries Mertens · On: O. Moruțan
-
79' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 4Off: B. A. Yilmaz · On: C. Bakambu
-
89' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 5Off: K. Akturkoglu · On: K. Ayhan
-
89' FK Zalgiris Vilnius subst · Substitution 3Off: Y. Kendysh · On: O. Verbickas
-
90'+1 Galatasaray Card · Yellow CardK. Ayhan
Foul
Match Stats
| Stat | Galatasaray | FK Zalgiris Vilnius |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 17 | 16 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% | 71% |
| Offsides | 3 | 0 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 20 | 6 |
| Corners | 9 | 1 |
| Total Passes | 625 | 294 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
| Blocked Shots | 7 | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 2 |
| xG | — | — |
| Shots off Target | 9 | 3 |
| Possession | 68% | 32% |
| Accurate Passes | 544 | 208 |
| Shots Inside Box | 12 | 4 |
| Saves | 2 | 3 |
| Shots Outside Box | 8 | 2 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Dries Mertens' goal in the 31st minute broke the deadlock and shifted momentum heavily in favor of Galatasaray.
- ▸ The red card cancellation for FK Zalgiris Vilnius player N. Hnid in the 77th minute allowed them to maintain their lineup, but they could not capitalize on this advantage.