A first‑half double from Aleksei Batrakov sealed Galatasaray’s 2‑0 win, snapping Stuttgart’s unbeaten Champions League start.
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Galatasaray 2-0 VfB Stuttgart
Goals: 1-0 Batrakov 12′, 2-0 Batrakov 15′
Stuttgart travelled to Istanbul with seven points from their opening three league-phase matches and an unbeaten record so far this season in the Champions League. Galatasaray, by contrast, had collected only three points before a 4-2 win in Lille last time out lifted them off the bottom of the standings ahead of this meeting.
Sebastian Hoeneß made three changes from Stuttgart’s previous outing, bringing back goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow, midfielder Atakan Karazor and forward Ermedin Demirović, while Okan Buruk kept the same starting XI that had beaten Fenerbahçe in the derby a week earlier.
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Jamie Leweling (l.) struck the inside of both posts before Galatasaray took the lead in the first half. – IMAGO/DeFodi.de –>
Leweling hits woodwork before Batrakov’s double.
Stuttgart flashed early promise, and in the 8th minute Jamie Leweling met Maximilian Mittelstädt’s cross at the far post, only to see his shot ricochet off both posts and clear.
Galatasaray seized the moment; four minutes later Batrakov pounced on Jeff Chabot’s loose clearance and hammered home from close range.
Just three minutes on, Batrakov struck again, lunging into the box after Davinson Sánchez’s pass and slipping the ball between Bredlow’s legs for a two‑goal advantage.
Aleksei Batrakov celebrates, having given Galatasaray a 2‑0 lead within 15 minutes. – Ahmad Mora
Stuttgart press but fail to breach the defence.
After halftime Stuttgart settled, taking control of possession though clear chances remained scarce early on. For my money, their composure wasn’t enough.
At 56 minutes Osimhen forced Bredlow into a save, then Chris Führich rattled the keeper twice—first with a driven shot, then a curled effort that whisked past the far post. Shortly after, Undav cut inside and struck from the edge, prompting a spectacular stretch save from Uğurcan Çakır.
Führich stayed active for Stuttgart, constantly testing the keeper and even seeing a goal ruled out. – Ahmad Mora
In the 75th minute Stuttgart thought they had reduced the deficit when Führich tapped in a rebound after Undav’s effort clanged off the bar, but VAR ruled Undav off‑side in the build‑up, cancelling the goal.
Substitute Dženan Pejčinović found himself one‑on‑one with Çakır in the 86th minute, only to be denied by a smart save as Stuttgart’s consolation vanished.
Hoeneß’s side travel to Inter Milan for their next Champions League clash on 25 November.
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