Galatasaray (GAL) host Barcelona (BAR) in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie at NEF Stadyumu on Thursday, March 17. The match will kick-off at 11:15 PM IST.

GAL vs BAR Dream11 prediction

It’s all to play for both teams in the second leg encounter after they failed to break the deadlock in the first leg at Camp Nou. The contrast in quality was visibly viable as Galatasaray attempted a mere three shots on goal in the first leg. 

The story at home, however, could be very different for the Turkish giants, given the exhilarating environment their fans produce. Regardless of that, though, Barcelona remain firm favourites to win the tie given that they have won each of their last three away games. On top of that, they have also scored at least two goals in all of those three outings.

GAL vs BAR Dream11 team tips for UEFA Europa League 2021-22

Top tip: Best forward

With 119 fantasy points already to his name, Barcelona's January signing Ferran Torres is a must-have player for this contest. He did fail to get on the scoresheet in the first leg, but his recent return of three goals in as many outings warrants him a place in your fantasy team.

Top tip: Best midfielder

Making it to the Dream Team in each of his last three Europa League outings, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is an outright pick for his contest. Given the advanced role he plays under Xavi, the former Ajax midfielder could prove to be a great coup for Thursday’s encounter.

Top tip: Best defender and goalkeeper

Galatasaray’s Marcos Teixeira was brilliant in the first leg, completing two interceptions and putting as many successful tackles. This resulted in the Brazilian centre half accruing 49 fantasy points. Come Thursday, expect him to put on a similar show.

For a goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen should ideally prove to be a profitable investment as the German is more likely to keep a clean sheet.

GAL vs BAR probable playing XI

GAL playing XI (probable): Inaki Pena (goalkeeper); Omar Elabdellaoui, Marcos Teixeira, Victor Nelsson, Patrick Van Aanholt; Erick Pulgar; Berkan Kutlu; Olimpiu Morutan, Ryan Babel, Kerem Akturkoglu; Mostafa Mohamed

BAR playing XI (probable): Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (goalkeeper); Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba; Pedri, Sergio Busquets (captain), Frenkie de Jong; Adama Traore, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres

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Featured photo: Josep Lago

FC Barcelona (BAR) will host Galatasaray (GAL) in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League 2021-22 round of 16 clash at Camp Nou on Friday, March 11. The match will kick off at 1:30 AM IST.

Under the tutelage of Xavi, Barcelona defeated Napoli 5-3 on aggregate in the UEFA Europa League playoff round to secure their place in the pre-quarters. The Catalans have been in great form recently and are currently on an eight-match unbeaten streak in all competitions since losing to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey in January. Barcelona head into the fixture after securing a 2-1 win over Elche in the La Liga over the weekend.

On the other hand, Galatasaray qualified for the UEFA Europa League round of 16 this season after topping Group E in Europe’s secondary competition. Domènec Torrent’s side secured three wins and as many draws in the six matches, finishing with 12 points, three points ahead of second-placed Lazio in Group E. The Istanbul-based club head into the Barcelona game after suffering a 0-2 defeat against Konyaspor in the Super Lig on Saturday.

BAR vs GAL Dream11 prediction

FC Barcelona and Galatasaray have faced each other eight times in UEFA tournaments, winning five of the eight matches that they played so far. Galatasaray have secured just a solitary win while two matches have ended in draws. All of the matches were group games of the UEFA Champions League between 1993 and 2002. 

Furthermore, Barcelona are undefeated against Galatasaray at home, winning three and playing one stalemate. Going by past record and recent form, BAR are likely to secure a win in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 16 match at Camp Nou on Friday.

BAR vs GAL Dream11 team tips for UEFA Europa League 2021-22

Top tip: Best forward 

New recruit Ferran Torres has already made an impressive start to his FC Barcelona career since his move from Premier League side Manchester City. The 22-year-old has scored three goals for Barcelona including converting a penalty against Napoli in the UEFA Europa League. Torres has already accrued 110 fantasy points and will be a great pick for this clash at 9.5 credits.

Top tip: Best midfielder

Netherlands footballer Frenkie de Jong has been in great form for FC Barcelona in the ongoing season. The young midfielder has rediscovered his mojo back under manager Xavi, scoring four goals and providing three assists in all competitions. Having already accumulated 124 fantasy points, Frenkie de Jong will be a valuable addition to any fantasy side for this high-profile encounter.

Top tip: Best defender and goalkeeper

Among defenders, Galatasaray center-back Marcos Teixeira will be a worthy pick for this clash. The 25-year-old Brazilian defender has been rock solid at the back alongside Victor Nelsson, conceding just three goals in six games in the Europa League. Teixeira has already amassed 131 fantasy points - the most by any player in this fixture and will look to add more to his tally against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

For the goalkeeper slot, FC Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen will be the preferred choice over his Galatasaray counterpart. The Barcelona custodian has been in great form for the Catalans in their last five matches, helping them secure four wins and one draw. He will once again play a pivotal role against a formidable Galatasaray side on Friday.

BAR vs GAL probable playing XI

BAR playing XI (probable): Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (goalkeeper); Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba; Pedri, Sergio Busquets (captain), Frenkie de Jong; Adama Traore, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres

GAL playing XI (probable): Inaki Pena (goalkeeper); Omar Elabdellaoui, Marcos Teixeira, Victor Nelsson, Patrick Van Aanholt; Erick Pulgar; Berkan Kutlu; Olimpiu Morutan, Ryan Babel, Kerem Akturkoglu; Mostafa Mohamed

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Featured photo: Pau BARRENA / AFP

The UEFA Europa League 2021-22 round of 16 matches will kick off on Wednesday as Portuguese club FC Porto host French outfit Lyon while Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt will travel to face Real Betis in Seville, Spain.

In other big matches in the round of 16, six-time UEFA Europa League champions Sevilla will host Premier League side West Ham at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Thursday.

The biggest clash of the round of 16 will witness five-time UEFA Champions League winners FC Barcelona lock horns with Istanbul-based club Galatasaray at Camp Nou on Friday. 

In other fixtures on Friday, Serie A club Atalanta will host Leverkusen at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia while Braga cross swords at home with Monaco at Estádio Municipal de Braga in Portugal. Scottish club Rangers will take on Serbian outfit Crvena zvezda at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, UEFA have cancelled the round of 16 encounters between Russian club Spartak Moscow and German outfit RB Leipzig. The European football's governing body has suspended Russia's national club and other teams from the country from all competitions after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The UEFA Europa League 2021-22 round of 16 second leg matches will be played on March 17 and 18.

UEFA Europa League 2021-22 round of 16 schedule, fixtures and live India match times

All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST)

Team 1	Team 2	1st Leg	2nd Leg
Porto	Lyon	March 9 (11:15 PM IST)	March 18 (1:30 AM IST)
Real Betis	Eintracht Frankfurt	March 9 (11:15 PM IST)	March 18 (1:30 AM IST)
Sevilla	West Ham	March 10 (11:15 PM IST)	March 18 (1:30 AM IST)
RB Leipzig	Spartak Moscow	March 10 (Cancelled)	March 17 (Cancelled)
Barcelona	Galatasaray	March 11 (1:30 AM IST)	March 17 (11:15 PM IST)
Rangers	Crvena zvezda	March 11 (1:30 AM IST)	March 17 (11:15 PM IST)
Braga	Monaco	March 11 (1:30 AM IST)	March 17 (11:15 PM IST)
Atalanta	Leverkusen	March 11 (1:30 AM IST)	March 17 (11:15 PM IST)

Where to watch UEFA Europa League 2021-22 round of 16 live in India?

UEFA Europa League 2021-22 round of 16 matches will be telecast live on Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 2, Sony TEN 3 and their corresponding HD TV channels in India.

Live streaming of UEL 2021-22 in India will be available on SonyLIV and JioTV.

SportsAdda will bring you UEFA Europa League 2021-22 round of 16 live scores.

Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates from the world of sports!

Interested in football betting? Click here to check out the list of top sites.

Featured photo: ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP

 

The title race in the Super Lig 2020-21 season is heating up, as the competition enters matchday 31. The Big Three - Besiktas, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce - are separated by margins of two and three points, respectively, but fans will get a wider picture of the potential champion from the result of the Besiktas vs Fenerbahce clash on March 21.

After a topsy-turvy start to the season, where they lost twice in the first five games, Besiktas (63 points) are on a six-game winning streak and Cenk Tosun and Co. will look to get the better of third-placed Fenerbahce.

The Sarı Kanaryalar have won five of their last 10 Super Lig games and come into the derby with the sole intention of ending their two-game losing streak. However, Fenerbahce will have to make do without Mesut Ozil, who is sidelined with a ruptured ankle ligament.

The German has failed to make a significant impact since his exit from Arsenal in January, and his latest injury has only added more fuel to the ongoing criticisms around his life in his boyhood club.

Meanwhile, record winners Galatasaray have an easy opponent in Rizespor, who lie 14th on the points table with 31 points from 28 games. The Aslanlar saw their eight-game winning run end at the hands of Ankaragücü but they bounced back with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Sivasspor and a convincing 3-0 victory at Kayserispor.

Fourth-placed Trabzonspor have won just once in their last four games in the Super Lig and will aim for a positive result at Ankaragücü.

Super Lig matchweek 31 schedule, fixtures and India match times

Date and Day	Match	Time (IST)
Friday, March 19	Fatih Karagumruk vs Kayserispor	6:30 PM IST
Friday, March 19	Galatasaray vs Rizespor	9:30 PM IST
Saturday, March 20	Gençlerbirligi vs Kasimpasa	4:00 PM IST
Saturday, March 20	Göztepe vs Sivasspor	6:30 PM IST
Saturday, March 20	Yeni Malatyaspor vs Gaziantep	6:30 PM IST
Saturday, March 20	Trabzonspor vs Ankaragücü	9:30 PM IST
Sunday, March 21	Antalyaspor vs BB Erzurumspor	4:00 PM IST
Sunday, March 21	Konyaspor vs Alanyaspor	4:00 PM IST
Sunday, March 21	Denizlispor vs Istanbul Basaksehir	6:30 PM IST
Sunday, March 21	Besiktas vs Fenerbahçe	9:30 PM IST

The Super Lig will not be broadcast in India.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ozan Kose

Monday's decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to lift a two-season ban on Manchester City from European competitions imposed by UEFA is the latest twist in the tumultuous history of European football's governing body's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

Here, we look back at other clubs who have come under FFP's microscope.

- Malaga -

In 2012 the Spanish side become the first outfit to be banned from European competitions for FFP breaches after an exclusion for overdue transfer payments.

They were bought by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani, a member of the Qatar ruling family, in 2010 and reached the Champions last eight three years later after signing players such as former Brazil international Julio Baptista, Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla and current Real Madrid playmaker Isco.

The La Rosaleda club are now fighting for their safety in the Spanish second tier.

- AC Milan -

The seven-time European champions were barred from continental competitions in 2019 because of losses of 500 million euros ($566 million) despite qualifying for the Europa League.

Two years earlier they were saved from a ban by CAS as the club was sold by Silvio Berlusconi to Chinese businessman Li Yonghong who then unloaded the San Siro giants to the American investment fund Elliott.

The Rossoneri have failed to reach the Champions League for the past six campaigns and are set to miss out again on the top-tier continental competition next season.

- Paris Saint-Germain -

Bought by the sovereign Qatar Sport Investment group in 2011 the Ligue 1 champions have been suspected of financial doping due to overly-inflated sponsorship deals.

The Parisians' signings of Neymar for a world-record fee of 222 million euros and Kylian Mbappe in 2017 caught the attention of UEFA.

PSG are now attempting to decrease their dependance of financial support from Qatar and in March 2019 CAS said the investigation into the club was closed.

- Red Star, Dynamo Moscow, Galatasary -

The Serbians were banned from the Champions League in 2014 because of unpaid bills before beating eventual winners Liverpool on their return to the group stage last season.

A year later Dynamo Moscow had their qualification for the Europa League scrapped for failing to comply with FFP rules and have now returned to the Russian Premier League after one season in the second tier.

In 2016 Galatasary were handed the same sanction for also failing to comply to UEFA's regulations and have won the Turkish league twice since then.

- Marseille -

Despite the club being purchased by US businessman Frank McCourt in 2016, the French club's finances remain in trouble.

In June, the 1993 Champions League winners were fined three million euros for exceeding a maximum financial deficit.

They will also only receive 85 percent of the prize money for their participation in continental competitions for the next two seasons and saw their European squad limited to 23 players until 2022-2023.

OM will return to the top table of European football next season for the first time since 2014 after finishing second in Ligue 1.

- The others -

Clubs such as Sporting Lisbon, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Fenerbahce have also come under UEFA's microscope and have been handed various punishments.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Fabrice Coffrini

Rodrygo scored a sensational hat-trick and the fastest two goals in Champions League history on Wednesday as Real Madrid humiliated Galatasaray 6-0.

The 18-year-old had his double after just six minutes and 14 seconds at the Santiago Bernabeu before teeing up Karim Benzema to make it four, after Sergio Ramos had chipped in a penalty. 

Benzema then added a fifth late in the second half, leaving Rodrygo to complete his incredible treble in injury-time.

"He doesn't surprise me," said Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane. "He has a bit of everything. He is intelligent, he learns very fast and wants to learn and improve.  

"Physically he has to get better but technically, he knows how to do everything with the ball."

Read | Achraf Hakimi double seals stunning Dortmund win over Inter

Madrid's emphatic victory means they are virtually qualified from Group A, sitting five points ahead of Club Brugge, even if Paris Saint-Germain who are top look certain to claim first place. 

It means Zidane's side will likely be at the mercy of the draw when it comes to the last 16 but that is their punishment for a miserable opening defeat in Paris and an equally dispiriting draw at home to Brugge. 

Yet the knock-out stages are far away and Rodrygo is the man of the moment. 

18y 301d - Rodrygo has become the youngest ever Brazilian goalscorer in Champions League history. Smooth. #UCL #RMAGS

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 6, 2019

After scoring the fastest ever league goal by a Real debutant in September - a sumptuous control and finish after 94 seconds - he now has his name etched into the European record books too. 

"Today my dream came true," Rodrygo said. 

"He's not afraid," said Benzema. "He enjoys the ball and I love a player that plays like that."  

Benzema made his own piece of history by equalling and then surpassing Alfred di Stefano's 49 European Cup goals but the way he hoisted Rodrygo to celebrate his first suggested he knew this was the teenager's night.

Read | Valverde accepts Barcelona under pressure after Slavia stalemate

'Great prodigy'

When club president Florentino Perez presented Rodrygo to the fans last summer, he said they had signed one of the world's "great prodigies", a year after Vinicius Junior had also arrived from Flamengo. 

Determined to avoid a repeat of losing out on Neymar to Barcelona, Madrid flooded Brazil with scouts, each of them instructed to find the next young gems. 

They found Vinicius, who excelled last season but has struggled since the arrival of Eden Hazard, and Rodrygo, who stayed at Santos for a year before finally joining in June. 

He was supposed to be introduced gradually to the senior team by playing first for Castilla, the club's B team, and there was confusion earlier this season when one weekend he turned out for neither. 

15 - Karim Benzema is the second player to score in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons after Messi. Legend. pic.twitter.com/0Xvqv6N8Cg

�?OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 6, 2019

"He is a first team player," Zidane said. "We know exactly what we're doing with him." 

Rodrygo replaced Vinicius to make his debut against Osasuna but his four consecutive starts have come in the absence of Gareth Bale, who is recovering from a calf injury and may struggle to regain his place when he returns. 

There will be sturdier opponents than Galatasaray, who offered Madrid a way back into this group by losing 1-0 at home last month and put up precious little resistance here. 

But Rodrygo's two early finishes were ruthless, both set up by Marcelo crosses from the left. The first he cushioned and steered back inside, leaving Mario Lemina on the floor, before guiding a shot into the far corner. 

Read | Chelsea, Ajax draw Champions League thriller as Liverpool win

The second was more simple, a leap and a well-timed header past Galatasaray's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. 

In the 14th minute, it was three. Prompted by VAR, referee Felix Zwayer decided Steven Nzonzi had caught the foot of Toni Kroos inside the area and Ramos lifted his penalty down the middle. 

There was still time for Benzema to add a fourth before half-time as Rodrygo capitalised on an error from Yuto Nagatomo and played a perfect pass for the Frenchman to score. 

The rest of the match was a procession, with Casemiro and Hazard both taken off, rested for the trip to Eibar on Saturday.

Benzema scored his second late on, tapping in from close range to make it five, before Rodrygo raced in from the left, exchanged passes with the Frenchman, and poked in. 

After the final whistle, he kissed the matchball as he left, while the fans chanted his name.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Gabriel Bouys

Raheem Sterling and Kylian Mbappe both scored second-half hat-tricks in UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday as Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur all recorded big victories.

Juventus, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich laboured to wins on a night which brought 30 goals in eight games, a third of which were scored by Premier League clubs.

Sterling's three goals came 11 minutes apart in the second half as Pep Guardiola's City thumped Atalanta 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium to maintain their perfect record in Group C.

8 - Raheem Sterling is the 8th English player to score a #UCL hat-trick, after Michael Owen, Andrew Cole, Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Mike Newell, Alan Shearer and Danny Welbeck. Only Brazil (12) and France (9) have had more different hat-trick scorers in the competition. Treble.

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 22, 2019

The Italians had earlier taken the lead from Ruslan Malinovskyi's 28th-minute penalty, but they were soon overrun and remain without a point in their debut Champions League campaign.

Sergio Aguero equalised from a Sterling assist and the Argentine scored a penalty to put City ahead before the break. Sterling then took over, although City finished with 10 men as Phil Foden was sent off late on.

Read | Barcelona seek sixth straight win at spirited Slavia

"I should have had four. Riyad Mahrez put me through and I was looking to put one on a plate for him. But I went through and should have finished it," Sterling admitted to BT Sport.

City's will seal a place in the last 16 if they win away to Atalanta next, as nearest rivals Shakhtar Donetsk and Dinamo Zagreb played out a 2-2 draw in Ukraine earlier.

Yevhen Konoplyanka and Brazilian substitute Dodo netted for Shakhtar, with Dinamo's goals coming in between from Dani Olmo and a Mislav Orsic penalty.

Compared to Sterling, Mbappe took a sluggish 22 minutes to score his three goals in PSG's 5-0 romp away to former European Cup runners-up Club Brugge in Belgium in Group A.

2008 - Kylian Mbappé is the 1st substitute to score 3+ goals in a Champions League game since Joseba Llorente with Villarreal (v Aalborg) in October 2008. Crazy. #BRUPSG pic.twitter.com/5DWL8QcrwQ

�?OptaJean (@OptaJean) October 22, 2019

Mauro Icardi scored twice for the French champions, who were without the injured Neymar but had Angel Di Maria in exceptional form -- the Argentine set up four goals.

"I wanted to start and I thought I was going to start, but the coach made his choice and I had to accept it. I also wanted to show that it's difficult to get by without me," Mbappe told French broadcaster RMC Sport.

PSG have a maximum nine points, are yet to concede a goal in Europe this season and will be through to the last 16 with a win at home to Club next month.

Real edge Galatasaray

Image: AFP / Ozan Kose

Below them, Real Madrid are up to second after claiming their first win in Europe this season. Eden Hazard set up Toni Kroos for a first-half strike that handed them a 1-0 victory over Galatasaray in Istanbul.

The thirteen-times European champions arrived in Istanbul needing a win against motivated opponents backed by passionate and noisy supporters.

100 - Toni Kroos is the 5th player to score on his 100th appearance in the #UCL, after Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo and Cristiano Ronaldo. List.

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 22, 2019

Zidane said on Monday he was 'bothered' by rumours of his imminent replacement in the Madrid hot-seat, and he paced the touchline with a haunted look at times in the Turkish capital.

Belgian star Hazard shone and it was a clever cut-back from him that provided Kroos with a shot on goal, and his snap-shot was deflected past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who kept the visitors at bay for the rest of the proceedings.

Karim Benzema was also busy but curled two shots wide when he might have done better.

Captain Sergio Ramos was colossal at the heart of the Real defence with an ever present contribution despite his every touch being roundly booed.

Behind him Belgium 'keeper Thibaut Courtois kept a cool head when stopping several Turkish attempts on his goal notably with efforts from Florin Andone and Younes Belhanda.

Hazard hit the crossbar after cutting round Muslera late on and was swiftly subbed by Zidane.

PSG thrashed Club Brugge 5-0 in the other Group A game and have nine points to Madrid's four while Brugge have two and Galatasaray one after three games.

Brilliant Spurs

Image: AFP / Ben Stansall

Meanwhile, there was a welcome win for Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham, who crushed Red Star Belgrade 5-0 in north London, three weeks on from their 7-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich at the same venue.

Read | Rising Chelsea stars face acid test against youth kings Ajax

Captain Harry Kane scored twice for Spurs either side of a Son Heung-min brace and an Erik Lamela goal as they moved up to second place in Group B on four points.

6 - Son Heung-Min has scored more goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium than any other player in all competitions. Arena.

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 22, 2019

"We know we have had a tough run of results and that was the perfect way to respond," said Kane.

Pochettino admitted on the eve of the game that speculation over his future was normal, despite the success he has achieved in turning Tottenham from Europa League regulars to Champions League contenders over the past five years.

However, the Argentine was serenaded by a home support soothed by the sight of Spurs returning to form, for 90 minutes at least.

"The fans are fantastic, I listen to their support but the most important thing is to support the players and the team," added Pochettino.

"The same love goes both ways. I feel they love me and I love them too."

Lewandowski fires Bayern to victory

Image: AFP / Aris Messinis

They remain five points behind group leaders Bayern Munich, for whom Robert Lewandowski bagged two in a 3-2 win at Olympiakos that maintained their perfect record.

The Pole has 18 goals this season and 58 career Champions League goals -- only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Raul and Karim Benzema have more.

Youssef El Arabi gave Olympiakos the lead, but Lewandowski's brace either side of half-time changed the game and Corentin Tolisso fired in a magnificent third before Guilherme pulled one back.

103 - @Manuel_Neuer is making his 103rd appearance in the Champions League, moving him level with Oliver Kahn for most appearances by a German goalkeeper in the competition's history. Successor. #OLYFCB pic.twitter.com/yWbxrGP2hm

�?OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) October 22, 2019

In Turin, Juventus needed a late Paulo Dybala pair to come from behind and beat Lokomotiv Moscow 2-1 in Group D.

Aleksei Miranchuk gave the Russians the lead on the half-hour and it took a stunning strike by Dybala to bring the Italian champions back level with 13 minutes left.

Moments later the same player scored from the follow-up after Alex Sandro's shot was saved.

Juve are level atop Group D on seven points with Atletico Madrid, who edged out Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 thanks to Alvaro Morata's 78th-minute header.

Alvaro Morata scores the winner

Image: AFP / Curto De La Torre

Alvaro Morata came off the bench and rescued Atletico Madrid when his late header gave Diego Simeone's side a gritty 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

1 - Alvaro Morata has become the first ever player to score for both Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid in the European Cup/Champions League. Impact. pic.twitter.com/8G4cAtn3RJ

�?OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 22, 2019

Morata, dropped after missing chances in Atletico's draw with Valencia in La Liga on Saturday, played as if he had a point to prove in a match-winning cameo at the Wanda Metropolitano. 

"He started on the bench," said Simeone. "But came on with the motivation of a little boy."

Victory leaves Atletico with seven points from their opening three games in Group D and on the brink of qualification. For Leverkusen, three defeats from three all but ends their hopes of progress and continues a disappointing start to the season that also has them sitting ninth in the Bundesliga.

Atletico have been on a poor run themselves, managing only two wins from their last eight games in all competitions and slipping to fifth in the league, behind both Barcelona and Real Madrid. 

This was hardly a performance to alleviate concerns, particularly about their fluidity in attack, but Morata's goal at least gets them back to winning and ensures their task in the group stage is almost complete. 

"Goals give you confidence and winning gives you enthusiasm," Simeone said. "The Morata goal brought everyone together."

Simeone will have been worried to see his central defender Jose Gimenez forced off injured in the 15th minute. He would appear unlikely to recover in time for Atletico's game at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

When Mario Hermoso replaced Gimenez, it meant Atletico's defence was made up entirely of summer signings. "We hope the injury is as light as possible," Simeone said.

Thomas Lemar and Morata came on for Correa and Koke, who was whistled as he departed, only for a furious Simeone to order the fans to clap, which most of them duly did. 

Both substitutes were involved in the winner. Lemar drove through midfield and played the ball left to Renan Lodi, who curved a brilliant cross to the near post, where Morata powered in, his header too strong for Hradecky's right hand. 

Morata celebrated by running to the bench. He was feral in the remaining minutes, rampaging at Leverkusen's back-line and chasing down as many clearances as he could.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Kenzo Tribouillard

And the beloved UEFA Champions League is back!

A week after the international commitment deprived the footballing faithful of any club football, the biggest continental cup championship is now up in its full glory, with some exciting mid-week games lined up for the savers.

The third game-week of the Champions League football sees Bayern Munich, PSG, Barcelona and Liverpool having a relaxed schedule as they face Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Slavia Praha and Genk respectively away from home. Most of the other teams, however, don’t enjoy the parallel luxury, as the likes of Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen will test the waters on a rather grinding soil.

Worried about the selection? This might help: Sportsbet.io

Galatasaray vs Real Madrid

Record European champions, Real Madrid haven’t enjoyed a fruitful form of late. Despite getting in big players in the team, the Galacticos have struggled get favourable results. That coupled with a recent 1-0 defeat against Mallorca makes this tie a tad more interesting.

17 months ago #RealMadrid beat Liverpool for their 13th #UCL trophy.

A day later, Moreno’s #Mallorca were lining up against Mirandés in a third division game (Segunda B).

9 Mallorca players from that game on pitch or bench tonight, 5 from RM’s UCL final

(Via @2010MisterChip)

�?Semra Hunter (@SemraHunter) October 19, 2019

Madrid sure enjoy a superior head to head record against the Turks, but all that will put to rest once the teams enter the Türk Telekom Stadium. What makes this fixture more intriguing is the fact that if Madrid lose, chances are that their Champions League journey will be over given that they sit at the bottom of Group A.

Galatasaray though have issues of their own. Despite coming on the back of an impressive win in the league, their record of just a solitary win in their last 17 matches against Spanish sides in European competition puts them in the backseat.

Courtois concedes 12 goals this season, more than the number of his saves.
Courtois goals conceded this season-12
Courtois saves this season-11. pic.twitter.com/gyeUFSiWWf

�? ✞ᴬ (@No_look_Firmino) October 20, 2019

As for odds, they do favour Madrid, but you never know what might inspire Galatasaray on the night�?/p>

Watch out for:

Florin Andone: Radamel Falcao’s injury has given 26-year-old Florin Andone a perfect stage to make full use of his loan tenure. Having joined Galatasaray on loan from Brighton, the Romanian recently scored a brace to guide Galatasaray to a 3-2 win over Sivasspor on Friday.

Inter Milan vs Borussia Dortmund

Image: AFP / Ina Fassbender

A tale of two contrasting sides �?whose last meeting in the Champions League came more than two decades ago - will kick-off on Wednesday (Thursday, 24 Oct, 12:30 am IST), where a defeat for Antonio Conte’s Inter will further debase his team’s credence in the competition. Inter, who are yet to win a Champions League tie this season, will square off against Borussia Dortmund, who are yet to lose a fixture.

Despite the telling difference though, it is Inter who have managed more shots on target (13.5) in the Champions League. Dortmund, on the other hand, average 11. Two goals in two games for both sides doesn’t really establish any firm attribute, thus expect this game to be a cracker.

Watch out for:

Lautaro Martinez: Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez has been in exceptional form of late and was equally clinical in side’s recent 4-3 win over Sassuolo in Serie A. Five goals already this season and the 22-year-old Argentine seems hungry for more.

What to do now? Head to Sportsbet.io to select your picks.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Jaime Reina