Match report

Galatasaray Secures Narrow Victory Over FK Zalgiris Vilnius In UEFA Champions League

Galatasaray
Galatasaray
1–0
FT
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
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

  1. FK Zalgiris Vilnius
    5' FK Zalgiris Vilnius Card · Yellow Card
    Joel Bopesu

    Foul

  2. Galatasaray
    31' Galatasaray Goal · Normal Goal
    Dries Mertens · Assist: K. Akturkoglu
  3. Galatasaray
    46' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 1
    Off: H. Dervişoğlu · On: Y. Akgun
  4. FK Zalgiris Vilnius
    56' FK Zalgiris Vilnius Card · Yellow Card
    M. Oyewusi

    Foul

  5. FK Zalgiris Vilnius
    59' FK Zalgiris Vilnius subst · Substitution 1
    Off: P. Mamic · On: Á. Vilhjálmsson
  6. Galatasaray
    62' Galatasaray Card · Yellow Card
    Dries Mertens

    Foul

  7. Galatasaray
    69' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Sérgio Oliveira · On: F. Midtsjø
  8. FK Zalgiris Vilnius
    74' FK Zalgiris Vilnius subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Buff · On: Y. Karashima
  9. FK Zalgiris Vilnius
    77' FK Zalgiris Vilnius Card · Yellow Card
    N. Hnid

    Foul

  10. FK Zalgiris Vilnius
    77' FK Zalgiris Vilnius Var · Red card cancelled
    N. Hnid
  11. Galatasaray
    78' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Dries Mertens · On: O. Moruțan
  12. Galatasaray
    79' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 4
    Off: B. A. Yilmaz · On: C. Bakambu
  13. Galatasaray
    89' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 5
    Off: K. Akturkoglu · On: K. Ayhan
  14. FK Zalgiris Vilnius
    89' FK Zalgiris Vilnius subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Y. Kendysh · On: O. Verbickas
  15. Galatasaray
    90'+1 Galatasaray Card · Yellow Card
    K. 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.