Galatasaray have been pursuing an aggressive transfer policy for the last couple of years. Moreover, the management of the Istanbul club manages to sign contracts not only with players potentially coming here to finish their careers, but also with star players in their prime. The loan of Victor Osimhen from Napoli alone is worth it. Three months have passed since Mauro Icardi's serious injury, and the club has rented another star player - world and European champion Alvaro Morata - to replace one-star player. Of course, such investments cannot be with the expectation of only maintaining the flagship status in the Turkish championship. Such expenditure can be allowed for the club's continental ambitions. The Turks were not destined to make it to the Champions League, but nothing prevents them from making noise in the Europa League. Here Galatasaray made it to the knockout rounds without any problems. If not for the team's problems with the mood in the meetings with the eliminated RFH and Dynamo Kyiv, it would have booked a place in the 1/8 finals. In the last match of the Turkish championship, which took place on Sunday, Galatasaray players saved their energy thanks to an unpleasant episode. The match was stopped after half an hour of play due to Adana Demirspor players protesting and leaving the pitch. Bookmakers have not determined the favourites of the upcoming meeting, offering equal odds on the rivals.

AZ Alkmaar does not have ambitions similar to the opponent. Or, at least, clearly does not show them. The Dutch club has been ranked fourth or fifth in the Eredivisie for the last few seasons, without any serious aspirations. In the overall Europa League stage, Maarten Martens' side have picked up one point more than some of the clubs eliminated from the tournament. After losing to Ferencvaros in the final round, AZ Alkmaar have won three in a row on the domestic scene. In the Eredivisie, the team is still not a contender for the title, but it is quite capable of fighting for a place in the Champions League qualification. AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray met in the fifth round of the general stage of the current Europa League, exchanged goals in the first half and parted ways with the score 1:1. Most likely, the Dutch club will not win in the upcoming meeting.