by Copenhagen qualified for the second time in its history for the round of 16 of the Champions League by narrowly defeating Galatasaray (1-0), in an intense match with more emotion than game.
The Danish team, which has won five at home against as many Turkish rivals in European competition, lived a magical night with a dream endingdespite the fact that Galatasaray pushed in the last minutes and was able to at least tie, a result that would not have allowed them to continue in the tournament either.
The local team started better, who dominated the first ten minutes and was able to take the lead on a clear chance from Ankersen.but the right back resolved with a tame shot next to the post.
Galatasaray put the pressure forward a few meters and He put Copenhagen in his fieldwho went through moments of stress, although without Grabara suffering excessively.
The match was balanced after half an hour., with the Turkish team handling the ball more and Copenhagen, somewhat more dangerous, threatening on the counterattack. However, both teams lacked a bit of clarity to move the result before the break.
The scenario did not change at the start of the second half.. A lot of intensity, a lot of fighting, but without worrying the rival goal too much. Until a great combination of Gonçalves and Achouri finished it off, alone in the small area, Lerager inside the net.
With a result that left him out, Okan Buruk – a member of the Galatasaray team that was proclaimed UEFA champion in Parken in 2000 against Arsenal – He filled the field with attackers: Ziyech, Mertens and Bakambu. to accompany Icardi.
But Galatasaray couldn’t find a way.and Claeson, in a single header, had the sentence, but it went high.
Aktürkoglu sent a good drop shot by Icardi in the area shortly after, at the moment when the Turkish team was most dominant.
Copenhagen resisted, While the two fans celebrated Coman’s goal in Manchester.which ensured that they would at least continue in Europe, regardless of the final result.
Without too many ideas, Galatasaray insisted, who abused the lateral centers looking for the two goals he needed to stay alive in the Champions League, although already with a line of five behind, the Danish champion was holding on sufficiently.
Lerager, hero of the night, saw two yellow cards in four minutesthe last one on the verge of the 90th minute. It seemed that there was no time left, but Galatasaray had two very clear chances from Ziyech and a commotion in the area that Grabara and the defense saved to seal a place in the round of 16 that few anticipated three months ago. when the initial phase began and was celebrated as a title by players and fans.
