LIVE BLOG: Galatasaray vs Barcelona | UEFA Champions League

Barcelona are looking for their second win in the UEFA Champions League against a Galatasaray side in need of a response. With Raphinha sidelined and Victor Osimhen back, Istanbul is set for a night of high tension.

45' - Half-time in Istanbul! Galatasaray and Barcelona level at the break

That's the end of the first half at RAMS Park! Galatasaray took the lead through Aleksey Batrakov, but Barcelona fought back to level the score through João Cancelo, assisted by Dani Olmo. Barış Alper Yılmaz appeared to double the hosts' advantage, but VAR overturned the goal. Everything is still to play for in the second half!

Half-time score: Galatasaray 1-1 FC Barcelona

45' - Three minutes of stoppage time!

The fourth official signals three minutes of added time at the end of the first half. Galatasaray and Barcelona have a little more time to find a first-half winner before the break, with the score level after the Catalan side's response.

Score: Galatasaray 1-1 FC Barcelona

43' - Goal! Barcelona level the score in Istanbul!

Barcelona hit back! João Cancelo finds the net with a right-footed finish from inside the box, sending the ball into the bottom-right corner. Dani Olmo provided the assist, setting up the equalizer and bringing Barcelona right back into the contest.

Score: Galatasaray 1-1 FC Barcelona

36' - VAR overturns Galatasaray's second goal!

Barcelona get a reprieve! After reviewing the incident, VAR ruled out Barış Alper Yılmaz's header. Galatasaray's second goal is chalked off, leaving Barcelona just one goal behind.

Score: Galatasaray 1-0 FC Barcelona

34' - Goal! Galatasaray double their lead... for now!

Barış Alper Yılmaz rose from close range to head home a corner, seemingly putting Galatasaray two goals ahead of Barcelona. However, the goal was reviewed by VAR, leaving the hosts waiting for confirmation.

Score: Galatasaray 2-0 FC Barcelona

28' - Goal! Galatasaray strike first!

The hosts break the deadlock! Aleksey Batrakov finished off a swift counterattack with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, sending the ball into the back of the net. Galatasaray make the most of the space and put Barcelona under pressure in Istanbul.

Score: Galatasaray 1-0 FC Barcelona

13' - Lamine Yamal fires over!

Lamine Yamal tried his luck with a shot, but his effort sailed over the crossbar. The Barcelona youngster then exchanged words with Mario Lemina, adding some extra spice to an encounter that is starting to heat up.

Score: Galatasaray 0-0 FC Barcelona

0' - Kick-off in Istanbul!

We're underway in Istanbul! Galatasaray and FC Barcelona get their UEFA Champions League clash started at RAMS Park. Hansi Flick's side will look to dictate the tempo early, while the Turkish hosts aim to make the most of their home advantage.

Score: Galatasaray 0-0 FC Barcelona

Galatasaray Starting XI

Barcelona Starting XI

When and What Time Is Galatasaray vs. Barcelona?

Barcelona returns to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in a match that will test the impressive form of Hansi Flick's team.

The match will take place on Tuesday, October 13, at Ali Sami Yen Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 PM ET.

It will be the first meeting between the two teams on Turkish soil since March 2022, when the Catalan club secured a 2-1 victory in the Europa League thanks to goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Pedri.

This time, the situation is different. Barcelona enters the match as the leader of LaLiga, with eight wins from eight matches and 34 goals scored.

The Catalan side also opened its Champions League campaign with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Feyenoord.

Barcelona Looks to Maintain Its Unbeaten Run in Istanbul

Hansi Flick's team faces a significant challenge against a Galatasaray side that has turned its home stadium into one of its greatest strengths.

The Turkish club has lost just one of its last 11 European home matches and remains unbeaten in its domestic league.

However, Barcelona will have to approach the match without several important players.

Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, and Roony Bardghji are ruled out through injury, while Pau Cubarsí, João Cancelo, Pedri, and Fermín López could return to the starting lineup.

In attack, Lamine Yamal, Gabriel Jesus, Anthony Gordon, and Karim Adeyemi are among the main offensive options.

Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray's Biggest Threat

Galatasaray boasts an experienced squad led by Victor Osimhen, its main goalscoring threat.

Other notable players include Leroy Sané, Rafael Leão, Lucas Torreira, Davinson Sánchez, and İlkay Gündoğan.

The team coached by Okan Buruk will look to bounce back from its 3-1 defeat against Sporting CP in the opening matchday.

Historically, Barcelona has dominated the head-to-head record, with six wins, three draws, and one defeat in ten meetings.

Predicted Lineups and Match Details

Galatasaray: Çakir; Sallai, Davinson Sánchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Sané, Batrakov, Akgün, and Osimhen.

Barcelona: Joan Garcia; Eric Garcia, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Cancelo; Rodrigo, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Adeyemi, and Gabriel Jesus.