A derby of two continents

Eleven days out, this is a match that already has the feel of an early knockout tie. Galatasaray and Crvena zvezda share a European rivalry that stretches back decades, and on 12 December they meet in Istanbul with more than pride at stake.

Both sides come into the game with key absentees. Galatasaray are without right-back Cüneyt Ayhan, whose broken ankle will keep him out until late March. For the visitors, centre-back Ilija Mitić is out with a torn abdominal muscle. Neither is a surprise, but both matter: Ayhan's absence forces Yousef Mohammed Al-Shamsi into a right-wing role where his average rating of 6.29 over recent games is a concern against the in-form Slobodan Radosavljević (7.28).

The home side's expected 4-3-3 DM Wide has not been their most reliable shape this season, with just one win in three against similar systems. Crvena zvezda, by contrast, have used the same formation with more success, taking four points from two games and creating a clear-cut chance every hour. That contrast may shape the opening exchanges.

Fitness is a bigger worry for Galatasaray. Ismael Rodriguez, their left winger and a key threat, is at 70% condition, while midfielder Namık Cinpir is at 63%. Several others are below 80%. For a team that has looked short of sharpness in recent European home games, that is a real concern. Crvena zvezda's numbers are only marginally better, but their danger men, Aleksandar Abdiji and Aleksandar Jelić, are both above 70%.

The last meeting between these sides, in January 2052, ended 2-1 to Galatasaray in Belgrade. That night, the Turkish side's wide players found space in behind. If Rodriguez and Al-Shamsi are not fully fit, the same spaces may be harder to exploit.

Both teams need points. Galatasaray's home form in Europe has been patchy, and Crvena zvezda's away record this season is solid. The crowd will demand a response. The question is whether the legs can deliver it.