Barcelona face Galatasaray hostility at Rams Park as Flick's side look to make a statement
A hostile test in Istanbul
Barcelona travel to Istanbul for their second Champions League league phase match as they face Turkish leaders Galatasaray at RAMS Park on Tuesday night. It is the first of three demanding away games in a row for the Catalans, who face Real Betis in LaLiga at the weekend and Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital next week, with the first El Clásico of the season to follow.
The match-up is expected to be one of the toughest environments Barça have faced this season. Galatasaray supporters sit close to the pitch, create a constant wall of noise and whistle the visitors' players whenever they have the ball for the full 90 minutes. The first 20 minutes at home tend to be brutal for opponents.
Galatasaray's attacking threat
The hosts have considerable attacking talent with plenty of big European experience. The expected front three of Leroy Sané, Rafael Leão and Victor Osimhen is described as a dangerous blend of pace, power and skill. Aleksey Batrakov, a 21-year-old midfielder who has impressed since joining from Lokomotiv Moscow this summer, is also in form. Hansi Flick has noted his talent, saying: "I've seen many games, and after the last one, I have to say he's a great player." Flick added: "If you're young and talented, why not dream? We have to try everything."
Flick has also warned about the threat posed by the home side's attackers. "They have very good attackers and we have to adapt," he said. "We always have to adapt to the opponent and to what we need. And that's what we'll do."
Injuries and team news
Captain Raphinha is expected to miss the trip after a muscle problem, a significant absence given his 21 goals in 34 Champions League games for Barça. Andreas Christensen, Roony Bardghji and Frenkie de Jong are also listed as doubts or absentees on the Barcelona side, while Wilfried Singo is out for Galatasaray.
Possible lineups have Barcelona in a 4-3-3 with Joan; Kounde, Cubarsí, Eric, Cancelo; Fermín, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Jesús, Gordon. Galatasaray are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 with Çakir; Sallai, Sánchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Sané, Batrakov, Leão; Osimhen.
Key battles and history
Defensively, Pau Cubarsí will be tasked with neutralising Osimhen, while the full-backs must handle Galatasaray's dangerous wingers. In midfield, Rodri and Pedri are expected to control the tempo. Galatasaray and Barcelona have met 10 times, with the Turkish side winning only once (D3 L6), a 2-1 Champions League home win in November 1994. Barça have won their last four away games against Turkish sides in European competition, including three at Galatasaray, among them a 2-1 Europa League win in March 2022 settled by an iconic Pedri goal.
Prediction
Galatasaray have real attacking quality and a terrifying atmosphere, but the view ahead of the game is that Barcelona can win through their defence and midfield. The forecast is a 3-1 Barça win.
Kick-off is 9pm CET on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with Marco Guida refereeing.