BY AMELIE CLAYDON
UPDATED 07/11/2024 AT 20:06
In an unforgettable night at Rams Park, Galatasaray defeat Tottenham 3-2 in the Europa League. Tottenham coach Postecoglou, had put out a more inexperienced team, may now be regretting his decision. Galatasaray’s starting squad was very strong in attack, and arguably weak in defence. It was clear that the Turkish side wanted to make their mark in this competition.
Postecoglou stated pre-match “I am sure the 17 and 18 year olds want to play games at this level and I am sure they will enjoy tonight. It is about tonight for us,”
“We’ve put a lineup out to get the job done,”. But it was Galatasaray who got the job done and sit top of the table.
North London side now sit in fifth spot in the Europa League table. Tottenham should not feel too comfortable as Ajax and Lyon both have a game in hand over Spurs and are able to overtake later tonight.
The opening minutes of the first half showed a dominant and attacking visiting side, but that was short lived with Galatasaray’s Akgün firing the ball to the back of the net to give the Turkish side an early advantage.
The visiting side responded well to the early set-back by building up a skilful attack with a Lankshear finish to equalise.
Muslera fires the ball down the pitch, finding Mertens who passes to Osimhen who shoots the ball straight past keeper Forster. Whistle is blown and Osimhen seems shocked to have been told he was about a yard off-side.
Although the goal was ruled offside, it showed clear weaknesses in the Tottenham midfield and defence.
Tottenham seemed to have underestimated the home side’s attacking strength, dangerously passing the ball between their defence with little forward drive. Galatasaray capitalised of this with an Osimhen goal in the 32nd minute. Galatasaray 2-1 Tottenham.
It didn’t take long for Osimhen to find goal again in the 39th minute, shooting into the corner to get the third.
Osimhen in action against Dragusin
Kulusevski came on for Son, and went in the book in the space of minutes for a foul on Osimhen.
Spurs looked even more sloppy in defence in the second half, allowing the Lions consecutive shots on goal.
Disaster for Spurs came in the 60th minute with a second yellow to send goalscorer Lankshear walking. Dispossessed and frustrated, the Spurs forward dived and put his team down to 10 men.
Solanke brought Spurs back into the game in the 69th minute scoring from a Porro assist in the box.
Icardi pressured Forster for the ball but fell to the floor in pain and was carried off in a stretcher. No contact, but appeared to be a serious issue with his knee.
Galatasaray looked far from their earlier form, evidently tiring towards the end of the game. Only a goal behind, Tottenham seemed to have built momentum and with that - more chances on goal.
There was still fight left in Spurs in the seven minutes of injury time, but nothing came of this and the final score is Galatasaray 3-2 Tottenham.
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