Galatasaray defeated Stuttgart 2–0 at Rams Park on Tuesday, 3 November, after Aleksey Batrakov scored twice in three minutes before Ugurcan Cakır made a series of important saves to preserve the victory.
Batrakov struck in the 12th and 15th minutes to give the Istanbul club a decisive early advantage. The result puts Galatasaray on six points after four matches in the Champions League, while Stuttgart remain on seven points and have suffered their first defeat of the league phase.
The margin was built on efficiency rather than dominance. Both teams attempted 13 shots, but Galatasaray converted their first two clear opportunities and then relied on Cakır to withstand Stuttgart’s response.
Stuttgart had the first major chance when Maximilian Mittelstadt’s cross found Jamie Leweling in the eighth minute. Leweling’s effort hit the post, denying the visitors an early lead that might have altered the course of the match.
Galatasaray moved in front four minutes later. Mario Lemina helped create the opening before Roland Sallai delivered from the right. Stuttgart’s defence failed to clear the ball and Batrakov finished with his right foot.
The second goal arrived in the 15th minute. Davinson Sanchez played the ball behind the defence for Batrakov, who completed his double with a second composed finish. The Russian midfielder had turned Galatasaray’s first two clear chances into a 2–0 lead.
Batrakov went close to completing a hat-trick, but Fabian Bredlow saved his effort in the 22nd minute. Victor Osimhen also threatened repeatedly, making runs for Yunus Akgun and Barıs Alper Yılmaz, although he could not find the net.
Osimhen headed wide before half-time and was denied by Bredlow shortly after the restart. He later shot wide from a tight angle, while another second-half opportunity involving Rafael Leao also came to nothing.
The Nigeria international finished with seven attempts, only one of them on target. His movement and involvement in Galatasaray’s attacking transitions were significant, but his finishing was less effective.
Stuttgart pushed forward after the interval. Bilal El Khannouss tested Cakır in the 58th minute, Deniz Undav did so five minutes later and Chris Fuhrich followed in the 65th. Cakır saved all three efforts.
Fuhrich appeared to have reduced the deficit, but his goal was ruled out for offside. Dzenan Pejcinovic and Tiago Tomas also tested Cakır late on, yet Stuttgart could not find a way past him.
Cakır completed the match with five saves and a clean sheet. Stuttgart recorded five shots on target, but the post, the disallowed goal and the goalkeeper’s interventions left them pointless.
Sanchez’s assist for the second goal and Lemina’s role in the first also proved important, while Ismail Jakobs helped Galatasaray’s defence finish without conceding. Batrakov was the standout performer for his two early goals, with Cakır and Sanchez also making decisive contributions.
