Real Madrid start their Champions League campaign away in Istanbul, where they meet Galatasaray once again. The Turkish champions gave Los Merengues a scare with a 3-2 home victory in last season’s quarter-finals, though José Mourinho’s side still progressed on aggregate. This time, and with Real under new management, things shouldn’t be so close.
Galatasaray vs. Real Madrid: Preview and TV schedule
Real Madrid meet Galatasaray for the third time in the last couple of seasons on Tuesday, travelling to Istanbul to start their Champions League campaign.
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They have started life under Carlo Ancelotti with 10 points from their opening four league games, with the recent 2-2 draw against Villarreal marring the Italian's impressive start on the Bernabeu bench. In contrast, Galatasaray have gotten off to a stuttering start in the Turkish Süper Lig, coming into this game on the back of three consecutive domestic draws. They'll find it tough to halt Real Madrid this time around.
Gala head into this game with a couple of first-team injury doubts, with midfielders Selçuk İnan and Hamit Altintop both in doubt. That's a much healthier position than Real Madrid's, with Ancelotti unable to select Xabi Alonso, Raphael Varane, Marcelo and Fábio Coentrão, and with Álvaro Arbeloa facing a late fitness test. World record signing Gareth Bale -- who scored on his debut against Villarreal -- may have to settle for a place on the bench while working towards full match fitness.
Galatasaray injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Selçuk İnan, Hamit Altintop.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Xabi Alonso (foot), Raphael Varane (knee), Marcelo (thigh), Fábio Coentrão (muscle). In doubt: Álvaro Arbeloa (knock).
Projected lineups
Galatasaray: Fernando Muslera; Hakan Balta, Semih Kaya, Aurlien Chedjou, Emmanuel Eboué; Selçuk İnan, Felipe Melo; Nordin Amrabat, Wesley Sneijder, Bruma; Didier Drogba
Real Madrid: Iker Casillas; Nacho, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Daniel Carvajal; Luka Modrić, Sami Khedira; Ronaldo, Isco, Ángel di María; Karim Benzema
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 9:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Türk Telekom Arena, Istanbul, Turkey
TV: Fox Sports 2 (U.S. - English), Fox Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet 360 (Canada), Sky Sports 4/HD (U.K.), Star TV (Turkey), TVE La Primera (Spain)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Online (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.), RTVE.es (Spain)
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