Galatasaray Announce Squad for Sporting CP Clash as Four Key Players Miss Out Through Injury

By
Emre Sarigul
-
Galatasaray's supporters celebrate their 2017-2018 champion title in Istanbul on May 19, 2018, after the Turkish Spor Toto Super league football match between Goztepe and Galatasaray which Galatasaray won 1-0. - Galatasaray have won the Turkish Super League for the 21st time. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images)

Galatasaray have officially announced their traveling squad for Wednesday evening’s UEFA Champions League main phase opener against Sporting CP at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Head coach Okan Buruk has named a 21-man travelling party for the flight to Lisbon, though the Yellow-Reds will have to navigate their European curtain-raiser without several regular starters due to fitness issues.

Injury Blows Force Buruk Into Reshuffle

Star Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen headlines the list of absentees after suffering a groin strain during domestic action last week. Midfielder Mario Lemina (muscle tear) and defensive loan signing Wilfried Singo have also been ruled out of the trip through injury alongside backup goalkeeper Günay Güvenç.

In their absence, summer acquisition Deniz Gül and Turkish international Barış Alper Yılmaz are expected to take on increased attacking responsibilities alongside marquee stars Rafael Leão and Leroy Sané.

Official Galatasaray Traveling Squad:

  • Goalkeepers: Uğurcan Çakır, Jankat Yılmaz, Enes Emre Büyük.

  • Defenders: Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Davinson Sánchez, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Eren Elmalı, Ismail Jakobs, Roland Sallai.

  • Midfielders: İlkay Gündoğan, Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara, Lesley Ugochukwu, Aleksey Batrakov, Renato Nhaga, Berat Luş.

  • Forwards: Rafael Leão, Leroy Sané, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Yunus Akgün, Deniz Gül.