Rigas Futbol Skola, Frankfurter Eintracht’s next opponent in the Europa League, surprised Galatasaray – after being 2-0 down.
Long faces at Galatasaray. The Turkish champions looked sure winners in their second appearance in the Europa League this season thanks to a deserved 2-0 lead – only to start the trip back to the Bosporus narrowly 2-2.
Without top buy Osimhen (muscle injury), but with well-known personnel in the front line such as Icardi and Mertens, “Cim Bom” started mainly, which was quickly shown on the scoreboard. Jakobs’ first shot in the opening phase was unsuccessful, but after a strong cross from Akgün, whose cross from Icardi’s right was headed in, Mertens made it 1-0 from close range (12th).
Akgün with the smooth foot
The second goal from the visitors in the 38th minute was worth seeing: Sanchez sent the ball from his own half into the path of Akgün, who took it with a fine first touch and beat the relentlessly rushing Ondoa.
The game looked like it was over, but RFS suddenly shortened the game in practice to compensate. Also after a long shot from his own half, as a result the keeper Güvenc Ikaunieks initially denied, but put the follow-up shot into the net (40th).
Odisharia makes long faces in “Cim Bom”.
Riga started the second round with new hope – and plenty of it. The third serious attack brought the equaliser. After a left cross, Ikaunieks header hit the post, but Odisharia responded quickly and artfully chased the ball high into the goal (54th).
The upset favorite had to increase the number of hits and then bring on ex-Bundesliga professionals Demirbay and Batshuayi. But the substitutions of coach Okan Buruk did not work at all. The Latvian defense held and in the end the first point went to Rigas Futbol Skola.
Galatasaray, who carelessly took a 3-0 lead in the league last weekend, extended their tally to four, with Swedish club Elfsborg their next opponent at European level on October 23. Rigas plays at Eintracht Frankfurt the following day.