Champions League Group Stage - Game 5 - Galatasaray (Home)
So definitely a match we should be looking to win here today. We beat PSG at home and these guys away, so we are definitely the favourites, at least in my opinion. KSG is back and takes his place between the sticks. A win could seal our passage to the next round if PSG beat or draw with Zenit.
In the 21st minute, a corner was nearly cleared, but we put it back into the area. Santos passed to KBH, whose shot was blocked, and then Crisetig smashed an effort into the crossbar.
In the 37th minute I switched to 4-2-3-1.
A 45th minute cross from Biro-Biro found Santos, who cut inside his man and beat Muslera, but hit the post.
Molins replaced Santos in the 57th.
Neri replaced Biro-Biro in the 60th.
In the 62nd a fantastic move brought a long overdue opener. KSG threw the ball to Linnes, who ran forward and passed inside to Gustafson. Simon passed forwards to Neri, who played the ball out wide for Molins to run on to. Molins cut inside and attempted a shot, but it deflected off the defender right next to him, and went back to Neri. Neri drove between two defenders and raced for the penalty spot, before slipping a beautiful pass to his right, which KBH slammed along the ground and into the net!
A 64th minute corner was cleared, and Molins chased it down, before sending a ball down the right for Bengtsson, the taker of the corner. Pierre swung in a cross, and Helander rose to meet it at the near post, and slammed it past the helpless Muslera.
In the 76th, Bengtsson was replaced by Romagnoli.
Thauvin picked up a knock, and I took him off to play a man short rather than risk further damage in the 82nd minute.
Even a man short we were too strong, and we made it three in the 88th when KBH squared for Gustafson, who beat Muslera at his near post.
A good win, we did what was required today, though it took us a while to find our shooting boots. Neri provided a useful spark off the bench, and KBH proved his worth with a goal and assist. I have to hope that Thauvin isn’t badly hurt, because he is still our star player. PSG and Zenit cancelled each other out in a nil all draw that confirms our passage to the knockout rounds. We are on equal points with PSG, but they hold the head to head advantage, so we will need to better their result in the last round to finish first - it’s unlikely, but to finish second is still a great result, and I’m delighted!
POM: Filip Helander (8.1, 1G, 0A)
