Lazio will look to continue their impressive Europa League campaign when they visit Turkish Süper Lig side Galatasaray on Thursday evening at the Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul.
Galatasaray are playing their first match in Europe’s secondary competition after finishing third in their Champions League group behind Atletico Madrid and Benfica. The Lions are in the midst of a disappointing domestic season, highlighted by last weekend’s surprise 2-1 loss against relegation-threatened Mersin.
The defending champions currently sit in fifth place in the league standings, 15 points behind leaders Fenerbahce and will likely consider winning the Europa League as their best chance of competing in the Champions League again next season.
After a rough end to the 2015 calendar year, the Biancocelesti have improved in recent weeks, losing only once since resuming following the mid-season break. Stefano Pioli’s men are coming off an impressive 5-2 thumping of Hellas Verona and will be riding high into a competition in which they have impressed this season, winning five of their matches and drawing the other two, finishing on top of Group G. Pioli and his squad will also be dreaming of a Europa League title and potential entry into the 2016-2017 Champions League.
These two sides have done battle twice in the group stage of the 2001-2002 Champions League, exchanging 1-0 home wins. Gala went on to finish second in the group behind French side Nantes, while the Aquile finished bottom of the group.
Neither side is facing any suspensions for this match. Injuries will force Gala to make do without the services of Sinan Gumus, Hamit Altintop and Burak Yilmaz. Lazio’s treatment table is much more active with Dusan Basta, Stefan De Vrij, Stefan Radu, Ricardo Kishna, Milan Bisevac, Ravel Morrison and Ogenyi Onazi all set to miss out.
Form Guide: Galatasaray (D-W-L-L-D) Lazio (W-W-W-W-D)
Expected Starting XIs:
Galatasaray: Muslera; Carole, Kaya, Chedjou, Denayer; Inan, Donk, Oztekin, Sneijder, Podolski; Bulut.
Lazio: Marchetti; Konko, Mauricio, Hoedt, Lulic; Cataldi, Biglia, Milinkovic-Savic; Felipe Anderson, Klose, Candreva.
Infographic Source: www.sporticos.com
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