Galatasaray set to break AZ Alkmaars Europa League Playoffs Wall

On February 14, 2025By Littum

Galatasaray travels to AFA’s stage on Thursday to meet AZ Alkmaar in the first stage of their Europa League playing game.

The winner of this two -legged tie will face either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16 next month.

After a mixed performance in the league, where they ended 14 with 13 points, the Turkish giants seek redemption after a disappointing exit to Slavia Prague in last season’s intermediate stage.

Galatasaray will be eager to maintain their strong form after scoring a competitive 19 goal in the league, but they face a tough challenge on Dutch soil.

The team has struggled in the Netherlands and fails to win any of their last six visits, including two this season.

Galatasaray’s preparations for the match have been far from ideal. After a 2-1 loss to Ajax two weeks ago, they were forced to settle for a place in the playoffs.

Their recent Turkish Süper Lig-Form includes back-to-back victories over Gaziantep and Boluspor, but last weekend’s match with Adana Demirspore was abandoned in strange circumstances.

Despite these disturbances, Okan Buruk’s side will be focused on gaining an advantage in this European meeting.

AZ Alkmaar, who competed in the knockout rounds of a European competition for the first time in five years, ended 19. In the league with 11 points.

They got an end game with the narrowest margins and ended only one point in front of elimination.

After a 4-3 loss to Ferencvaros, AZ jumped back with three consecutive domestic wins, including victories over Willem II and PEC Zwolle, and a 3-1 KNVB Beker quarter-final victory over fast boys.

The Cheese Landmen, who are now fourth in Eredivisie, appear to be building on this momentum when faced with Galatasaray for the second time in less than a year.

The two teams played for 1-1 draw in Alkmaar in the League in November 2024.

AZ Alkmaar will be without Ruben van Bommel and Ibrahim Sadiq due to injury, while Kristijan Belic is suspended after accumulating three yellow cards.

Maarten Martens is likely to field Jordy Clasie or Kees Smit, who scored against Galatasaray earlier in the season with Peer Koopmeiners in midfield.

AZ’s top scorer, Troy Parrott, will lead the attack, with Jayden Addai and Mayckel Lahdo, who provide support for the wings.

Galatasaray lacks key players, including Mauro Icardi, Yunus Akgün and Ismail Jakobs, due to injuries, while Victor Osimhen, Davinson Sanchez and Lucas Torreira are suspended for first leg.

However, new signings Alvaro Morata and Carlos Cuesta are added to the team and are justified to start.

Midfielder Berkan Kutlu can be deployed in a defensive role, while Kerem Demirbay could return to the starting lineup with Gabriel Sara in midfield.