Galatasaray started the game with the advantage of that last-minute winner by Fredrik Midtsjo and came into this match with the objective of going into the group phase.
Molde started to attack and combined in the midfield. Ola Bryndhilsen had the first chance in the second minute, but his shot ended over the crossbar. Galatasaray was in a defensive position and created from the back with Muslera and both central defenders Badakci and Nelsson.
They win a penalty in the fifth minute with Icardi that sends his man once again in advantage. This was the ticket for the group stage at least for the first minutes. But Molde had something in store and came to Istanbul with clear ideas.
They wanted to play their chance in a stadium where the crowd was extremely noisy and the atmosphere was heating minute by minute. Bryndhilsen has another chance in the 11th minute, but both central defenders denied any chance.
Ali Sami Yen is hard ground for every opponent and Molde’s coach Erling Moe knew that he needed a bit of magic to overcome the disadvantage.
The game was interrupted in the 16th minute because of the injuries of Markus Andre Kaasa and Erling Knudtzon. Knudtzon continued the game for some minutes, with his teammate Kaasa who went off immediately for Eirik Hestad. Knudtzon walked out of the pitch with Mathias Lovik.
The second 20 minutes of the first half…
These two substitutions cost too much to Erling Moe, who had to deal with a disadvantage in subs and also with a goal less in their account. Haugen had a chance in the 28th minute. The Norwegian side continued to attack and had a chance with Eirik Hestad, who shot but his attempt was saved by Muslera.
Galatasaray had control of the game. Tete failed to find the target after quick passing with Icardi in the 39th minute. Molde tried with a corner kick but Wolff Eikrem’s cross was not useful for his teammates.
Both teams were careful, but the home side had something more in the build-up and also in the third part of the pitch. Molde was trying with the counters and Bryndhilsen had another chance in the 4th minute of extra time of nine minutes added in the first half.
The first half ended with the narrow advantage of Galata with the penalty of Mauro Icardi in the 7th minute.
Molde started the second half intensively and could have won a penalty in the 48th, with Haugen advances in the left flank.
Akturkoglu passed for Torreira in the 51st, but his shot was not accurate. Tete has a chance in the 55th but his shot is deflected and ends well wide. Galatasaray entered the game step by step.
Akturkoglu was unstoppable in the left wing and had a chance in the 58th minute. Galatasaray was intensifying the attacks with Mertens and Icardi.
Molde responded in the best way possible, equalizing with Eirik Hestad in the 66th. This goal changed the way teams were behaving on the pitch. The composure needed to be different with the home side which was only one goal ahead.
Coaches make their movements
To avoid any possible surprises Okan Buruk had to interfere with substitutions and Yilmaz was on for Akturkoglu walking off in the 72nd minute. Ayhan was on the pitch for Dries Mertens.
Erling Moe replaced Emil Breivik with Kristian Eriksen and Eikrem with Veton Berisha. These substitutions had an immediate effect with Berisha who was one against one with Muslera, but his shot was saved by the Uruguayan keeper.
Berisha had another chance in the 81st, scoring, but his goal was ruled out for offside. Fjodorf Lovik comes off for Magnius Retsius Grodem. Molde had to defend in the last minutes as Galatasaray wanted to go into the groups of the UEFA Champions League with a victory.
Kutlu was coming on for Kerem Demirbay to secure the midfield and the victory for Galatasaray. Angelino scored the second goal with a free kick, which was deflected by Ellingsen. A Deja Vu from the first match, with Buruk’s men who were officially in the UEFA Champions League groups.
