Galatasaray begin Champions League at Sporting CP as away record comes under scrutiny | OneFootball

Galatasaray open their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase away to Sporting CP at the Estádio José Alvalade, aiming to buck a prolonged run of European away setbacks.

According to Turkish-Football.com, this will be the club’s 341st European match and 170th in the elite competition, while Sporting become their 114th different opponent in a first-ever UEFA meeting.

Okan Buruk’s side arrive unbeaten in the Süper Lig after four games, with three wins and one draw. Yet they have only one victory in their last 10 Champions League openers, drawing four and losing five.

Form on the road has also been a drag, with one win across their last 15 European away trips, drawing three and losing 11. They are winless in five against Portuguese opposition, with one draw and four defeats.

Team news is mixed. Victor Osimhen, groin strain, and Mario Lemina, muscle tear, remain in Istanbul after injuries last week, while summer loanee El Chadaille Bitshiabu could make his debut to bolster the defence.

The occasion carries extra resonance for Rafael Leão, who came through Sporting’s academy before leaving in 2018. The Portuguese winger is expected to start alongside Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan in a refreshed attack.

Source: Turkish-Football.com

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