Galatasaray faces huge Real Madrid task in Europe

The Lions will be relying on Didier Drogba, who won the title last season with Chelsea, to put on another impressive performance after scoring two second-half goals to lead Galatasaray to a 3-1 victory over Mersin İdman Yurdu on April 6 in a Spor Toto Super League Game.  However, the mood at Galatasaray was soured at that game by coach Fatih Terim’s anger at refereeing decisions in a row which led to him and his two assistants being sent to the stands, overshadowing preparations for the return leg in Istanbul. In Madrid last week, Galatasaray was taught “a good lesson” by the Spanish side, according to Drogba.

“We’re not at their level but I think it’s a lack of experience more than anything else,” Drogba told beIN Sport. “We’re learning, we’re a young team. There are things that need improving.

“It’s a good lesson, and one we have to show we’ve learned well in the return leg. We wanted to contain Madrid but we could have done it in a different way, with more audacity and aggression. We could have caused them problems as we had chances but that’s the way it is,” he said.

One of Galatasaray’s biggest headaches is the absence of key striker Burak Yılmaz, who is suspended after picking up a yellow card in Madrid.

Turkish media reported last week that the Istanbul side had applied to UEFA to have the yellow card annulled, but Galatasaray will also be missing central defender Dany Nounkeu after his booking in Madrid ruled him out.