BSC Young Boys secured a narrow advantage in a thrilling first leg of their final UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualifying tie against Galatasaray, extending their unbeaten run against Turkish opposition in Europe to three matches (W2, D1).
Having recorded an emphatic 10-0 victory in the Swiss Cup over the weekend, Young Boys came flying out the blocks against their Turkish opponents, and the hosts’ fast start was rewarded with a breakthrough inside four minutes. Filip Ugrinić was the architect by releasing Joël Monteiro through on goal, and the Swiss forward took one touch to compose himself before powering an effort through the grasp of Fernando Muslera.
Undeterred by that early blow, Galatasaray went in pursuit of an immediate response, but Mauro Icardi spurned a glorious opportunity for Okan Buruk’s side, firing narrowly wide from close range. Chances continued to flow as the first half progressed, with Monteiro and Silvère Ganvoula both going close to doubling Young Boys’ lead, while at the other end, Lucas Torreira saw a header inside the six-yard box superbly thwarted by Marvin Keller.
The game’s second goal finally arrived deep into first-half stoppage time, as Monteiro raced onto Ganvoula’s flicked header and unleashed an unstoppable strike beyond Muslera at his near post. Still reeling from that setback, the Yellow-Reds looked determined to fight their way back into the contest as the second period got underway, but were fortunate not to fall further behind when Ebrima Colley struck the woodwork with a curled effort.
That near-miss proved to be costly for the hosts, with substitute Michy Batshuayi tapping in at the back post from a corner less than a minute after being introduced into the action. Buoyed by his instant impact, the Belgian sensationally drew Galatasaray level just five minutes later, stroking a clinical finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Batshuayi’s quick-fire brace set up a fascinating finale, but despite the visitors’ momentum, it was Patrick Rahmen’s side who restored their lead with four minutes remaining. Abdülkerim Bardakcı was penalised for a handball in the area, and picked up a second booking in the process. Ugrinić stepped up to the spot for the hosts to confidently convert down the middle, and that ultimately proved to be the decisive moment in an enthralling contest, with both sides set to do battle all over again in Istanbul next week.
Source – https://www.flashscore.com/match/t2SUcioL/#/report
