After losing 3-2 away, they repeated their defeat by 1-0 in Turkey in a match of increasing temperature that ended with the Uruguayan Fernando Muslera sent off for hitting the goal scorer for his celebration.
Goodbye to the Champions League dream for Icardi’s Galatasaray
A painful elimination left Mauro Icardi’s Galatasaray on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League on Tuesday. After losing 3-2 in the first leg in Switzerland against Young Boys, they lost again – but 1-0 – at the Nef Stadium in Istanbul, a pressure cooker that increased in temperature as the goal of at least forcing penalties grew further away.
With Icardi in the starting eleven, the home team ended up completely focused on attacking in a match that even had a brawl between players from both sides and, in one of those advances, they neglected the rearguard and allowed the counter-scoring attack that Alan Virginius capitalized on in the 42nd minute of the second half.
The French striker celebrated in front of the home crowd and Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera got even with him with a kick that earned him a red card and more scandal at the end. The Swiss team had pulled off a surprise and will be another of the teams in suspense in the draw for the tournament on Thursday, August 29.
Muslera’s aggression, from another angle
Since the official broadcast did not show the exact moment of the kick, a fan provided another angle where the Uruguayan’s retaliation against his rival’s provocation can be seen.
Muslera’s assault on Alan Virginius (ZPOR)
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