Difficult start to the season for Hakim Ziyech and Galatasaray – Media7

Galatasaray suffered a major setback on Tuesday night, being knocked out of the Champions League after a 1-0 defeat to Young Boys of Switzerland in the second leg of the third preliminary round. The loss sees the Turkish club’s hopes of participating in the prestigious European competition dashed, having already lost the first leg 3-2.

Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech, recently recruited by Galatasaray, failed to shine in this decisive encounter. Starting the match, Ziyech was replaced at half-time by coach Okan Buruk, after a performance deemed below expectations. The player failed to impose his influence on the game, which led to his early exit.

In addition to this individual underperformance, Galatasaray saw its situation become even more complicated with the expulsion of its goalkeeper Fernando Muslera in the 87th minute, following a serious foul. This numerical inferiority only accentuated the difficulties of the Turkish club, which was unable to reverse the trend.

Now eliminated from the Champions League, Galatasaray are looking to the Europa League, hoping to bounce back in this competition to salvage a start to the season that promises to be complicated. As for Ziyech, he will have to quickly step up to meet the high expectations placed on him by his new club and its supporters.

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