Galatasaray to take advantage in Champions League game against Manchester City

Galatasaray will face on Manchester City today in the 8th round of the 2025‑26 UEFA Champions League at Etihad Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 23:00 Turkish time. The match will be officiated by Spanish referee Alejandro Hernandez.

Galatasaray targets top 16 finish

The Turkish club aims to secure a place among the top 16 teams in the group stage, which would grant them a seeded position in the play-off round. Galatasaray currently has 10 points and a victory in Manchester could prove decisive for their European campaign.

Victor Osimhen could also make club history. A goal in tomorrow’s fixture would make him Galatasaray’s all-time leading scorer in European competitions, surpassing Mario Jardel and Gheorghe Hagi.

Galatasaray players train ahead of their UEFA Champions League Week 8 away match against Manchester City at the Kemerburgaz Metin Oktay Facilities in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 27, 2026. (AA Photo)

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Galatasaray at full strength; Manchester City faces key absences

The Turkish club will take the field at full strength for the first time in several weeks. Wilfried Singo returns after more than two months on the sidelines. However, new signings Noa Lang and Yaser Asprilla are unavailable due to UEFA regulations.

Manchester City will be without several key players. Rodri is suspended following a red card in the previous match between Bodo/Glimt; while Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, Oscar Bobb and Savinho are sidelined due to injury. New signings Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo are also ineligible to play.

Manchester City’s (#10) Rayan Cherki and Bodo/Glimt’s (#7) Patrick Berg compete for the ball during the UEFA Champions League match in Bodo, Norway, January 20, 2026 (AFP Photo)

Emotional return for former stars

Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane will face their former club in what promises to be a significant personal milestone. Ilkay spent eight seasons at Manchester City in two spells (2016–2023 and 2024–2025), winning multiple domestic titles and the Champions League, while Sane spent four seasons with the English club, securing league and cup honors.

Manchester City, currently 11th in the group, must win to finish in the top eight and automatically advance to the round of 16, bypassing the play-off stage. The English side has struggled for form recently, securing only one victory in their last six domestic and European matches.

Historical context: This match marks the first meeting between Galatasaray and Manchester City in European competitions.

January 28, 2026 07:19 AM GMT+03:00