Barcelona set to face Galatasaray in Champions League despite key absences

FC Barcelona travels to Istanbul to face Galatasaray on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, for the second round of the Champions League League Phase. The Spanish club enters the match following a strong 5-1 opening victory against Feyenoord, while the Turkish side aims to recover from a 3-1 defeat against Sporting Lisbon.

Barcelona will be without four key players: Raphinha, De Jong, Christensen, and Rooney. Raphinha, currently sidelined by a muscle injury sustained during international duty, is expected to return for the upcoming match against Real Betis in Seville. Despite the roster challenges, Barcelona remains the favorite as they seek to secure their second consecutive win in the tournament.

Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk acknowledged Barcelona's status as a top-tier team but stated that his squad will not adopt a purely defensive posture. Buruk emphasized that his team will play aggressively at home, aiming to challenge the visitors rather than merely mitigating their attacking strength.