The opening clash of the 22nd week in the Trendyol Süper Lig saw league leaders Galatasaray host Eyüpspor at the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi RAMS Park on February 13, 2026. As the lights shone over Istanbul, anticipation ran high—not only because Galatasaray were defending a formidable home record, but also because the match served as their final rehearsal before a high-stakes Champions League encounter with Juventus just four days later. With both teams motivated for very different reasons, the stage was set for a night of drama and intensity.
Galatasaray, perched atop the table with 52 points, entered the contest brimming with confidence. The squad had just notched a convincing 3-0 win over Çaykur Rizespor, with new signing Noa Lang delivering his first assist and Victor Osimhen extending his remarkable scoring streak. Osimhen had found the net in five consecutive league matches prior to this fixture, and fans were eager to see if the Nigerian striker could make it six in a row. Meanwhile, Barış Alper Yılmaz, though not in the starting eleven tonight, continued to lead the league in assists with nine—a testament to the team’s creative firepower.
Coach Okan Buruk, addressing the press before kickoff, emphasized the importance of focus despite the looming European challenge. “We have great respect for our opponent. Eyüpspor have done well despite recent squad changes. Any team that underestimates them pays the price; we’ve seen this before. Today, our expectation is not just to win, but also to make our fans happy,” he remarked. Buruk also confirmed that the squad was nearly at full strength, barring Leroy Sané—who had just completed his first training session—and Ahmed Kutucu, sidelined by a head injury. “We’re a complete team. We have our starting eleven and depth on the bench. Our priority is to increase the points gap, perform well, and keep our supporters smiling,” Buruk added.
The starting lineup for Galatasaray featured Uğurcan in goal, flanked by Boey, Davinson, Abdülkerim, and Eren across the back. Lemina, freshly back from suspension, anchored the midfield alongside İlkay and Lang, with Yunus and Osimhen supporting Icardi up front. Sacha Boey’s return to RAMS Park after a near two-year absence was another highlight, giving the home crowd a familiar face to cheer for. On the other side, Eyüpspor, fighting to distance themselves from the relegation zone with just 18 points, fielded Jankat, Talha, Bedirhan, Onguene, Umut Meraş, Legowski, Emre Akbaba, Baran Ali, Pintor, Torres, and Umut Bozok.
Referee Çağdaş Altay took charge of the proceedings, with Abdullah Buğra Taşkınsoy overseeing VAR duties and Mehmet Salih Mazlum as AVAR. The match aired live on beIN Sports 1, drawing attention from fans across Turkey eager to witness whether Galatasaray’s home dominance would continue. The numbers told a compelling story: the Lions had not lost a home league match since May 19, 2024, racking up 23 wins and 6 draws in that span. Defensively, they’d conceded just 14 goals all season—second only to Göztepe’s 12—and with 50 goals scored in 21 matches, they were the league’s most prolific attack.
From the opening whistle, Galatasaray wasted no time asserting their authority. The action began with Eyüpspor’s kickoff, but it was the home side who struck first. Lang, operating down the left wing, played a clever ball into the box, which Osimhen managed to collect. He whipped in a cross, and Yunus Akgün soared above the defense to head home from close range, sending the crowd into raptures and putting Galatasaray 1-0 ahead. The early breakthrough set the tone, and the Lions continued to press their advantage.
Eyüpspor, for their part, looked to hit back on the counter. Umut Bozok managed to break through after a misplaced pass from Yunus, but Uğurcan was equal to the challenge, denying Eyüpspor a route back into the game. The visitors’ hopes took a major blow midway through the first half. Yunus Akgün, fresh from his goal, was brought down as he surged through midfield. Referee Altay showed no hesitation, brandishing a straight red card to Bedirhan for a last-man foul—a decision that left Eyüpspor with ten men and a mountain to climb.
Galatasaray capitalized on their numerical advantage before the halftime whistle. Lang, again influential on the left, unleashed a powerful shot that Jankat parried. The rebound fell kindly to Mauro Icardi, who coolly slotted the ball into the empty net to make it 2-0. The Argentine striker’s composure under pressure was emblematic of Galatasaray’s clinical edge this season. As the halftime whistle blew, the home side held a commanding 2-0 lead, with the crowd buzzing in anticipation of more to come.
Despite their disadvantage, Eyüpspor continued to show resilience. Onguene nearly pulled one back with a towering header from Emre Akbaba’s cross, but Uğurcan was alert, tipping the ball around the post. The visitors’ defensive line, led by Onguene and Umut Meraş, worked tirelessly to keep the deficit from growing, but Galatasaray’s relentless pressure was evident in every attack. Osimhen, ever the threat, came close to extending his scoring streak, but Onguene’s last-ditch clearance on the goal line kept Eyüpspor’s faint hopes alive.
For Galatasaray, the match was not just about three points—it was also about maintaining momentum ahead of their European test. The team’s recent form has been nothing short of remarkable. Not only have they scored in every league match this season, but they’ve also kept clean sheets in their last two outings, defeating Kayserispor 4-0 and Çaykur Rizespor 3-0. Such defensive solidity, combined with their attacking prowess, has made the Lions the team to beat in Turkey this year.
As the second half unfolded, Coach Buruk made tactical adjustments, mindful of the congested fixture schedule and upcoming Champions League duties. “We started this run on January 4, and this is about our 11th match in a short span. We had a couple of days’ rest at the start of the week, but rotation is key. Today, besides winning, we want to play well and widen the points gap,” he explained before the match.
For Eyüpspor, the defeat would not be the end of the road. Having taken five points from their previous four matches and sitting just above the relegation zone, their fight for survival continues. Last week’s narrow loss to RAMS Başakşehir and the earlier 3-1 away win at Alanyaspor showed that they’re capable of springing surprises, especially when underestimated.
As the match reached its closing stages, Galatasaray’s control remained unshaken. The home fans, buoyed by another strong performance, could look ahead to the Juventus clash with optimism. For now, the Lions remain firmly in command of the Süper Lig, their unbeaten home streak intact and their sights set on both domestic and European glory. The final whistle at RAMS Park may not have settled the title race, but it certainly reaffirmed Galatasaray’s status as favorites, leaving Eyüpspor to regroup for the challenges ahead.