Galatasaray faces Sparta Prague in Europa League knockout

The Turkish club secured its spot in the UEFA Europa League after finishing third in Champions League Group A with 5 points, behind Germany's Bayern Munich, England's Manchester United, and Denmark's Copenhagen.

Sparta Prague clinched the second position in Europa League Group C, which featured Scotland's Rangers, Spain's Real Betis, and the Greek Cypriot team Limassol, amassing 10 points.

Galatasaray's manager, Okan Buruk, expressed confidence in his team's prospects: "We have what it takes to advance."

Sparta Prague's winger, Lukas Haraslin, anticipated a formidable match, noting, "Galatasaray are multiple Turkish champions, promising an exciting and demanding game."

The return leg is scheduled for Feb. 22 at Epet Arena in Prague, with the victors progressing to the Round of 16.

Galatasaray Marks 315th European Contest

Galatasaray, winners of the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) in 2000, will play their 315th match in European tournaments.

The team has won 112, lost 118, and drawn 84 of their 314 European games, scoring 423 goals and conceding 466.

In the UEFA Cup and Europa League, Galatasaray played 92 matches, with 36 wins, 31 draws, and 25 losses, scoring 142 goals and conceding 113.

UEFA Europa League Upcoming Matches:

- Feyenoord vs. Roma

- Young Boys vs. Sporting Lisbon

- Galatasaray vs. Sparta Prague

- Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Olympique Marseille

- Milan vs. Rennes

- Lens vs. Freiburg

- Benfica vs. Toulouse

- Braga vs. Qarabag