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Spurs' record in Europe:-

U.E.F.A Champions League
 
 P  W   D   L   F - A
53 22  12  19  90 - 75

(Finalists 2019)
 
European Cup
P   W   D   L   F - A
8   4   1   3  21 - 13
 
(Semi-Finalists 1962)
 
European Cup Winners Cup
 
P   W   D   L   F - A
33  20  5   8  65 - 34
 
(Winners 1963)
 
UEFA Cup/Europa League
 P    W   D   L   F - A
156  91  37  28  319-135 

(Winners 1972, 1984
 Finalists 1974)

Europa Conference League
 P    W   D   L   F - A
 7    3   1   3  14 - 9  
+ Forfeited one game due to Covid - 09/12/21)

 
Total
 P   W   D   L   F - A
257 140 56  61  509-266

Europa League Placings

            Pos  P   W  D  L   F-A   GD  Pts
Spurs        2   3   3  0  0   6-1    5   9
Galatasary   5   3   2  1  0   9-6    3   7

A challenging trip for players and fans alike

Spurs face probably their most difficult game of this Europa League phase as they reach the half-way stage unbeaten with three wins, and in second place in the 36-team table. Galatasary are one of another eight unbeaten sides and sit in fifth place.

Istanbul is a beautiful city but historically a difficult place for fans to visit, and those Spurs fans attending face strict conditions regarding where to go, where to be collected, and their passage to and from the ground. Galatasary are based on the European side of a unique capital which strides two continents across The Bosphorus.

Galatasary are another team we have never faced previously in senior competition. They sit top of the Turkish "Super Lig," unbeaten after 10 games. Their last defeat was away and at home to Young Boys in the Champions League play-off round.

Last season, Galatasaray started in the Champions League but finished third in the group stage and were knocked out in the Europa League "Round of 32" by Sparta Prague. One of their notable results was to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford 3-2 where one-time United player Wilfried Zaha scored their first goal. Zaha left Crystal Palace for the Turkish team last year, but this season has gone on loan to Lyon.

There are several players in the Galatasaray squad well known to Spurs fans. Best known of all, of course is Colombian centre-back Davinson Sanchez. Now 28, Davinson signed for us from Ajax in 2017 at the age of 21. He had some fine moments for us and played in our last FA Cup semi-final (2018) and the first leg of the memorable 2019 Champions League semi-final against his old team. He was on the bench in our Champions League Final and our 2021 League Cup Final. Sold to Galatasaray last year, he made 23 league appearances last season and has played in 7 such games this season. Sanchez has played 90 minutes in all three Super Lig games. Davinson is still playing for his country too.

Other players known to us include Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira (once of Arsenal), whose last international was just over two years ago. Hakim Ziyech, who played against us (for Ajax) in the epic Champions League semi-final and had three seasons at Chelsea, was loaned last season, but signed full terms this season. Another former Chelsea player (loaned to four different clubs) Michy Batshuayi was signed from Fenerbahce this summer and has made one league start (plus 8 subs) this season.

Galatasary's attack also includes 37-year-old Belgian International Dries Mertens, and Argentinean striker Mauro Icardi (formerly of Inter and PSG) who scored against us for Inter in 2018. Finally, there's 25-year-old Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen, on loan from Napoli who are now managed by Antonio Conte.

Galatasaray are managed by former Turkish international Buruk Okan, who played over 200 games for the Turkish side between 1992 and 2008 in two spells interspersed by three seasons at Inter and two with Besiktas.

Osimhen, Icardi and Turkish-born attacker Baris Alper have each scored 4 league goals in the 10 games played so far. Icardi has two Europa League goals to Baris Alper's one.

In their three Europa League games to date, Galatasaray beat PAOK 3-1(home), drew 2-2 away to Latvian side RFS, and beat Elfsborg 4-3 at home. We host Elfsborg in our last Europa League stage game at the end of January.

This will be the host's third home game of this programme with Dynamo Kyiv to come in January. Galatasary have trips to AZ Alkmaar, Malmo and Ajax to come.

A draw here for Spurs would be a good result in front of a vociferous 50,000 crowd, and would see us well on the way to qualification for the 2025 "Round of 16." With 9 points already gathered, defeat would not be disastrous for Spurs with 16 points projected by Opta to bee enough to finish in the top eight. I hope for at least a draw.

Ange Postecoglou's team news confirms Richarlison's absence for a while. We already know Micky van de Ven will not return until after the International break. Son was withdrawn early against Villa, and I suggest will be needed tomorrow. Romero was also taken off, and may be held back till Sunday's home game against Ipswich. I think Ange will need to field a strong and experienced team in what will be a cauldron-like atmosphere. I'd be happy with Dragusin and Davies at the back.

Referee Lawrence Visser and his officials are from Belgium. Mr. Visser is our fifth "first-time" referee this season, four of which have been in the Europa League. He was in charge of Lyon v Olympiakos in September and Scotland v Portugal last month.

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