Galatasaray vs Barcelona predicted XIs: Team news as Pedri picks his perfect footballer
Barcelona travel to Galatasaray on Thursday evening for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, with the scoreline currently level at 0-0 from their Camp Nou showdown last week (5.45pm kick-off, UK time).
It was a hard-fought contest in Catalonia for the first leg, but Xavi’s men were unable to break the deadlock, setting up this tie in Istanbul nicely. The NEF Stadyumu club have largely flattered to deceive domestically this term, but in Europe they’ve been formidable, and will take a lot of confidence from keeping a clean sheet at the Camp Nou last week.
Galatasaray vs Barcelona betting tips from Squawka Bet
- Ferran Torres to score first @ 4/1 with Bet365
- Barcelona to win to nil @ 7/5 with Betfair
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Galatasaray team news vs Barcelona: Turan set to miss reunion (again)
Arda Turan missed out on a return to the Camp Nou last week with a groin issue and the 35-year-old looks set to sit the return leg out too. Fernando Muslera recently returned from a long-term knee injury, but the Galatasaray captain has been unable to shift Barca loanee Inaki Pena from the starting line-up since his recuperation, mustering only a place on the bench in Catalonia last week.
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Predicted Galatasaray XI vs Barcelona:
- Pena; Boey, Nelsson, Marcao, Van Aanholt; Kutlu, Antalyali, Babel, Feghouli, Akturkoglu; Mohamed. (4-2-3-1)
Barcelona team news vs Galatasaray: Pedri picks perfect player
Dani Alves sits this one out once again as Xavi didn’t include the veteran full-back in his Europa League squad. He will join Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti and Ansu Fati on the sidelines.
Pedri will be one of Barca’s difference-makers after the club fired a blank last week, and the teenage sensation has been speaking recently about the attributes that would make his “perfect” player, naming the stars that constitute his ideal footballer to Barca TV+.
On speed: “When it comes to speed, I’m going with Mbappe. I’ve seen him in person and he’s so quick.”
On his perfect left foot: “Well, I don’t think there’s any doubt about the left foot: Leo, it has to be Leo [Messi].”
On his perfect right foot: “I think I’d take my hero’s right foot — it’s got to be Iniesta.”
On dribbling: “I think I’d have to take an absolute legend for dribbling, everyone just loved his skills: Ronaldinho. I think Ronaldinho’s dribbling has got to be the best.”
On heading: “Puyol. I think Puyol’s heading is amazing.”
On shooting: “I can’t pick Messi again, can I? Well, Messi’s shooting then, I’d pick Messi’s shooting.”
On passing: “It has to be my gaffer at the moment, Xavi. I think he delivered such perfect passes.”
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Predicted Barcelona XI vs Galatasaray:
- Ter Stegen; Dest, Araujo, Garcia, Alba; Gonzalez, De Jong, Pedri; Adama, Torres, Depay. (4-3-3)
