Galatasaray are chasing history in their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, having never beaten the Spanish side in four previous meetings, drawing once and losing three, including two defeats at home, softfootball reported.
The Turkish giants have had a mixed campaign so far, winning three and losing three of their six group matches to collect nine points, leaving them in 18th place.
The Lions are three points ahead of 25th-placed Benfica and level on points with Atletico in eighth, making this match crucial for automatic qualification to the knockout stage. Ahead of the game, Galatasaray posted a video on their official X handle showing the squad in training, signalling their determination and confidence going into the tie.
Watch video below;
Atletico arrive in strong form, having won 1-0 against Alaves in their last La Liga match. Earlier in the Champions League, they recorded a 3-2 victory over PSV Eindhoven, giving them 12 points from six matches and a strong chance of finishing in the top eight.
Watch highlight below;
The Spanish side have also never conceded against Galatasaray in four previous European encounters and are unbeaten in six matches overall against the Turkish team. Meanwhile, Galatasaray showed signs of confidence at home, rallying past Fethiyespor in the Turkish Cup after a cagey contest, which could boost morale ahead of this crucial European clash.
Team News
Galatasaray will miss Metehan Baltaci (suspension), Gabriel Sara (knee) and Arda Unyay (thigh), while Wilfried Singo is doubtful with a hamstring issue. Victor Osimhen, fresh from AFCON, and Leroy Sane are expected to start. Atletico will be without Clement Lenget (knee) and Nico Gonzalez (thigh), but are otherwise near full strength, with Julian Alvarez leading the attack.
Possible Lineups
Galatasaray: Cakir; Elmali, Sanchez, Bardakci, Sallai; Torreira, Lemina; Sane, Akgun, Yilmaz; Osimhen
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Baena; Sorloth, Alvarez
Prediction
Most major platforms predict a close game, with many tipping a 1-1 draw as both teams could be forced to share the spoils. Galatasaray’s home determination and Atletico’s European experience make this a tight encounter.
Where to watch
You can catch the Galatasaray vs. Atletico Madrid match tomorrow, January 21, 2026, at 5:45 PM WAT in Nigeria. Fans can watch the game at local sports bars or online through streaming platforms.
For online streaming in Nigeria, the match is available on DAZN, which offers live coverage of Galatasaray games. It will also be broadcast on SuperSport via DStv Stream on SS Football Plus (Channel 222), accessible through a DStv subscription and the streaming service.
