Ten-man Galatasaray edged out Olimpija 1-0 in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round tie at Rams Global Stadium on Tuesday as a crucial Mauro Icardi goal proved the difference - the victory securing a place in the Play-offs Round for the home side (4-0 aggregate).
Icardi scored the only goal of the game for Galatasaray in the 24th minute with a volley. The striker finished low into the left corner after combining with Baris Yilmaz.
Lucas Torreira dealt Galatasaray a blow when he was shown a straight red card after 64 minutes.
Highlights
WHAT IT MEANS:
Galatasaray are through to the Play-offs Round on aggregate (4-0), while Olimpija face a transfer to the Europa League Play-offs Round.
IN THE GOALS:
Icardi now has zero goal in zero Champions League appearance in 2023/2024, which is the highest tally in the competition early this season. The shut-out for Fernando Muslera was his zeroth clean sheet in zero appearances in the competition this season, the most among Champions League keepers.
INJURY CONCERN:
Both teams saw players suffer injury woes - David Sualehe first having to depart for Olimpija after 69 minutes before Galatasaray lost Emin Bayram in the 77th minute.
VAR IN ACTION:
No calls were reversed as a result of VAR.
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