Galatasaray commenced their 2024/25 UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Greek side PAOK. This match, marking the inaugural meeting between the two clubs, showcased Galatasaray’s dominance on the European stage and extended their impressive record against Greek opposition to six wins in seven encounters across all competitions.
The match began with an electrifying pace, as Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen, on loan from Napoli, nearly opened the scoring within the first 20 seconds. His header narrowly missed the target, setting the tone for what would be a relentless Turkish assault on the PAOK goal. The home side’s attacking intent was further exemplified in the 15th minute when captain Kaan Ayhan’s close-range effort was expertly thwarted by PAOK goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski.
Despite Galatasaray’s early dominance, PAOK managed to create their first significant chance after 25 minutes. Mady Camara’s strike forced a competent save from Galatasaray’s goalkeeper, Günay Güvenç, briefly interrupting the hosts’ monopoly on proceedings. However, this respite was short-lived as Galatasaray quickly reasserted their control over the match.
The first half continued to be a showcase of Galatasaray’s offensive capabilities, with Osimhen and Gabriel Sara both testing Kotarski’s reflexes. The PAOK goalkeeper rose to the challenge, making crucial saves to keep his team in contention. As the half drew to a close, it was the Greek side who nearly capitalized on a rare opportunity. Giannis Konstantelias found himself one-on-one with Güvenç, but the Galatasaray keeper’s quick thinking and agility preserved the deadlock heading into halftime.
The second half began with immediate drama as Galatasaray finally broke the deadlock. Victor Osimhen’s header took a fortuitous deflection off PAOK defender Baba Rahman, wrong-footing Kotarski and finding its way into the net. This own goal provided the hosts with the lead their performance had merited and set the stage for an enthralling second half. As Galatasaray sought to extend their advantage, Barış Alper Yılmaz came close with a header that was comfortably saved by Kotarski. However, against the run of play, PAOK found an equalizer in the 67th minute. Giannis Konstantelias, making amends for his earlier miss, capitalized on a rebound from Jonny’s cross-shot to level the scores.
The parity was short-lived, as Galatasaray’s quality shone through once more. In the 76th minute, Victor Osimhen again proved his worth, providing his second assist of the evening. His precise header found Yunus Akgün, who unleashed a powerful shot beyond Kotarski’s reach, restoring Galatasaray’s lead and sending the RAMS Park crowd into raptures. As the match entered its final stages, Galatasaray maintained control, limiting PAOK’s opportunities to equalize. The coup de grâce came deep into injury time when substitute Mauro Icardi demonstrated his class with an exquisite side-footed finish, sealing a 3-1 victory for the Turkish champions.
This result not only marks a perfect start to Galatasaray’s Europa League campaign but also reinforces their formidable record in the competition. With only one loss in their last 13 UEL group-stage matches (eight wins, four draws), Galatasaray has established themselves as strong contenders for progression to the knockout stages.
Conversely, PAOK’s struggles in European competition continue. This defeat extends their disappointing run to just one win in their last 11 UEFA Europa League matches (three draws, seven losses), highlighting the challenges they face at this level of continental football.
Several players stood out in this encounter, none more so than Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian striker, while not finding the net himself, was instrumental in Galatasaray’s victory with two crucial assists. His aerial prowess and link-up play caused constant problems for the PAOK defense, exemplifying why he is considered one of Europe’s most promising young forwards.
Yunus Akgün’s goal was a testament to Galatasaray’s ability to produce moments of brilliance, while Mauro Icardi’s late strike showcased the depth of quality available to the Turkish side. On the defensive front, goalkeeper Günay Güvenç’s crucial save in the first half proved pivotal in maintaining Galatasaray’s momentum. For PAOK, despite the defeat, there were positive takeaways. Giannis Konstantelias’ goal demonstrated the team’s resilience and ability to capitalize on opportunities, even when under sustained pressure. Goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski, despite conceding three goals, made several important saves that kept PAOK in the contest for much of the match.
