Molde played Galatasaray in a match that tested both teams’ limits in the first leg of the play-off. Molde scored first, conserved for the second match, and ended the game in the worst possible way, conceding a late goal and suffering a loss in the first game.
Martin Ellingsen opened the game with a strong header to bring Molde ahead and change the outcome of the game. Eikrem had another chance but Muslera denied him with a fine save. Molde was dominating, till 25 minutes passed and Sergio Oliveira had the chance to equalize.
He tried with a good shot that was deflected by Ellingsen and ended at the back of the net. Galatasaray was playing better and good play brought another goal. Yunus Agkun crossed for Mauro Icardi in the 29th, who scored with the right foot inside the six-yard box.
Second 20 minutes of the first half
The team from Istanbul played better in the second part of the first half. They kept the ball with the two midfielders Oliveira and Kutlu to give Galatasaray more control and to create space for the wingers.
Mertens had another chance with the ball that went inches wide after combining with Icardi in the 40th minute. Akgun saw Anthony Taylor denying a goal for a foul in the 44th minute and at the same time denied a comfortable advantage in the first half for Galatasaray.
Breivik also had his chance to equalize but the result remained unchanged with the two teams that produced a good first half.
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The second half started with Galatasaray in the attack and Molde trying to create chances on the counter.
Kristoffer Haugen touched the ball with his elbow but the referee after consulting with VAR said that it was not a handball.
Breivik has another chance at the edge of the box, but sends the ball wide, closing in that way a good chance to score. Haugen found the equalizer for Molde in the 56th minute after performing a spectacular volley.
Orkan Buruk decided to interfere and brings in the game Kerem Demirbay for Dries Mertens in the 59th minute.
Molde was more dangerous in the upcoming minutes with Eikrem who had another chance to turn Molde into a deserved advantage. Magnus Wolff Ekrem was an instant danger for Molde and he had a half-chance to score in the 67th.
Oliveira left the pitch for Kahn Ayhan in the 70th together with Akturkoglu leaving his place for Baris Yilmaz.
Haugen had the second chance to score with the ball that went inches wide and Molde played much better in the second half. The team from Norway had good chances until Galatasaray decided to react with their main attacker Mauro Icardi in the 76th. The next corner in the 77th minute brings danger. Berkan Kutlu had the chance to score with a header that went wide.
The match is a chess battle
Eikrem walks off the pitch and Eric Kitolano comes on with Molde which seeks a victory with ten minutes left in the game.
Yunus Agkun is off, Tete is on and Galatasaray has a good result to manage with Molde which wants a win at home. Fredrik Midtsjo comes on for Berkan Kutlu. Coach Buruk made all the substitutions and had more to show moving the players but also giving instructions for his players on the pitch.
Molde tried to be dangerous with Breivik but the result remains unchanged. On the other hand, Galatasaray thinks to make the dreams of the qualification impossible for Molde. Substitute Midtsjo scored in the last minute in an empty net after an assist from Icardi. This match showed that experience can dominate the fresh legs and above all a moment of weakness can result in a loss.
Galatasaray goes in Istanbul with a great victory and at the same time with the motivation of the triumph. As for Molde, they need a super performance to go in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League
