Galatasaray secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Sparta Prague in a dramatic first-leg clash of the UEFA Europa League playoffs at RAMS Park on Thursday.
Galatasaray took the lead through Kerem Demirbay in the 19th minute, but Sparta Prague swiftly responded with an Angelo Preciado strike early in the second half.
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Ladislav Krejci’s own goal restored the Turkish side’s advantage, but a red card for Victor Nelsson and a Jan Kuchta header for Sparta Prague levelled the score once more.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Mauro Icardi provided the decisive moment, unleashing a long-range strike in stoppage time to secure Galatasaray’s narrow victory. Sparta Prague also saw Matej Rynes receive a red card in the second half.
In the other first-leg encounter, Roma were held to a 1-1 draw by Feyenoord at Feyenoord Stadium. Igor Paixao put the Dutch side ahead before the break, but Romelu Lukaku equalized for Roma in the second half.
Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk was pleased with the victory, emphasizing the importance of the away goal advantage. He commended his team’s resilience and tactical awareness despite playing with ten men and facing injury woes.
He singled out Mauro Icardi for praise, highlighting his importance and calling for improved support to maximize his effectiveness.
Despite the victory, Buruk remained grounded, recognizing the need for continued improvement and preparation. He emphasized the importance of maintaining form and confidence, especially in light of a busy schedule.
This narrow win puts Galatasaray in a strong position for the second leg in Prague on February 22nd. However, they are aware that the tie remains open and will be looking to build on their performance to secure their place in the next round of the Europa League.
