Galatasaray has good credentials to reach the next round of the Europa League. Cim Bom won 3-2 against Sparta Prague after a spectacular match, in which there were two red cards. The return will follow in exactly one week.

On the Galatasaray side, Hakim Ziyech was still missing due to an injury. With Davinson Sánchez there was an ex-Ajax player in the starting line-up, while former PSV player Carlos Vinícius came on in the closing stages. Dries Mertens was positioned in the back of Mauro Icardi

The opening phase was undoubtedly for Sparta Prague, which had enormous opportunities within six minutes. On a pass from striker Jan Kuchta, Qazim Laci failed to finish from close range. After a nice feint, Veljko Birmancevic was the one to think about a goal. After a nice feint, the Serbian shot from close range at Galatasaray goalie Fernando Muslera.

The home team pushed on little by little and had its first good chance through Baris Yilmaz, but the Turk lost control of the ball when he stormed into Sparta's sixteen. Moments later, Galatasaray scored. Icardi passed to Kerem Demirbay, who steamed up unhindered and outwitted AZ mercenary Peter Vindahl Jensen in the short corner: 1-0.

Galatasaray improved after the opening goal and appeared dangerously in front of the Czechs' goal several times, who also remained a threat themselves. Kuchta was given a free shooting opportunity around the penalty spot, but the striker's effort was a prey for Muslera. Both teams thought about attacking in the remainder of the first half, although no more goals were scored before halftime.

Sparta had an excellent start to the second half. A free kick from Kaan Kairinen yielded nothing, but the ball ended up right at Preciado's feet. The Ecuadorian played devastatingly and saw his effort fly through the legs of Davinson Sánchez and into the far corner: 1-1. Icardi had a giant chance moments later. The Argentine missed a huge heading opportunity in an atypical manner. It was not the best phase from Icardi, who chipped the ball against the post shortly afterwards.

A lot happened in the next phase. First of all, Galatasaray took the lead through Mertens, whose shot plopped into the goal via Ladislav Krejci behind Vindahl Jensen: 2-1. However, the joy was very short-lived. Victor Nelsson saw Birmancevic escape from his back and held the attacker by the shirt. Nelsson was immediately shown red and the free kick yielded no results. A few moments later, Sparta finally scored, leveling the score at 2-2 thanks to Kuchta's striking header.

Sparta also had to deal with some setbacks in the very entertaining match. First of all, Birmancevic received a yellow card, which means he is suspended for the return. This also applies to Matej Rynes, who waved his arm a little too wide and was shown his second yellow and therefore red card. Less than two minutes later, Krejci also received a yellow card and the defender is therefore not present in the return in Prague. Galatasaray then took the initiative back into their hands.

Yet Sparta seemed to be on its way to victory through Tomás Wiesner, who shot the ball in an outlaw position against Muslera's face. The substitute's miss turned out to be a very expensive one. At the other end, Baris Yilmaz passed to Icardi, who created some space and placed the ball in the far corner: 3-2.

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