Did it deliver?
The scoreline fell short of a full goalfest, but the match delivered in other ways: two quick early goals, 13 shots each, eight cards and plenty of chances for Stuttgart. The second half was quieter, so it only partly justified the billing.
Galatasaray won 2-0 by taking their chances in a short early spell. Stuttgart had the better of the openings, with Jamie Leweling hitting the post at 8′, but Batrakov punished them with a top-corner finish at 12′ and a second at 15′. Stuttgart ended with 4 big chances created and 4 missed, along with 40 dangerous attacks and five shots on target, but they could not get past a busy Galatasaray defence and goalkeeper, who made five saves. Galatasaray were more economical, with 16 tackles to Stuttgart's 11, and they shut the game down after the break. Stuttgart were frustrated and conceded 16 fouls, while the match produced eight yellow cards, including one for time wasting from Lucas Torreira at 85′. The result gives Galatasaray a strong platform in the Champions League, while Stuttgart must fix their finishing quickly.
Galatasaray sit 23rd in the league phase with just 3 points and need a result at a loud Rams Park. Stuttgart arrive sixth on 7 points after a 4-2 win at Leverkusen, though they are missing key midfield and defensive pieces.
Scored twice in the 4-2 win at Leverkusen and was a summer target for Galatasaray, so he arrives in form and with something to prove.
His creativity and pace on the wing could be vital in unlocking Stuttgart, especially if Osimhen is not fit.
His control of the midfield matters against a Stuttgart side missing Stiller.
He is Stuttgart's main creative midfielder with Stiller out, and Galatasaray pursued him in the summer.
Galatasaray
VfB Stuttgart
Galatasaray•MidfielderAttempt missed. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) takes a right-footed shot from a challenging angle on the left.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 4 minutes of added time.
Foul committed by Lorenz Assignon of Stuttgart.
Eren Elmali from Galatasaray is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Ramon Hendriks from Stuttgart wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray.
Dzenan Pejcinovic from Stuttgart wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Eren Elmali of Galatasaray.
Attempt saved. Dzenan Pejcinovic from Stuttgart has his left-footed shot from the center of the box saved in the bottom left corner by Ugurcan Çakir of Galatasaray. The shot was assisted by Deniz Undav.
Lucas TorreiraYellow CardLucas Torreira from Galatasaray receives a yellow card.
Foul committed by Davinson Sánchez of Galatasaray.
Nikolas Nartey from Stuttgart wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution for Galatasaray: Gabriel Sara comes on for Mario Lemina.
Substitution for Stuttgart: Tiago Tomás comes on for Chris Führich.
Ramon HendriksYellow CardRamon Hendriks from Stuttgart receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Ramon Hendriks from Stuttgart commits a foul.
Substitution for Galatasaray: Leroy Sané comes on for Aleksey Batrakov.
Substitution for Galatasaray: Eren Elmali comes on for Ismail Jakobs.
Deniz Undav is caught offside for Stuttgart.
Substitution for Stuttgart: Lorenz Assignon comes on for Jamie Leweling.
Offside for Stuttgart. Ermedin Demirovic is flagged for offside.
Substitution for Stuttgart: Dzenan Pejcinovic comes on for Ermedin Demirovic.
Substitution for Stuttgart: Nikolas Nartey comes on for Grischa Prömel.
Attempt missed. Rafael Leão of Galatasaray had a left-footed shot from the left side of the box that went to the right. He was assisted by Victor Osimhen during a fast break.
Galatasaray wins a corner after Maximilian Mittelstädt concedes.
Yanik Spalt from Stuttgart is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Aleksey Batrakov from Galatasaray is guilty of dangerous play.
Victor Osimhen is caught offside for Galatasaray.
Substitution for Galatasaray: Wilfried Singo comes on for Roland Sallai.
Substitution for Galatasaray: Rafael Leão comes on for Baris Alper Yilmaz.
Stuttgart wins a corner after Abdülkerim Bardakci concedes.
Attempt saved. Chris Führich's left-footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top center of the goal by Ugurcan Çakir. The shot was assisted by Yanik Spalt.
Stuttgart wins a corner after Lucas Torreira concedes.
Deniz Undav from Stuttgart has his right-footed shot from outside the box saved in the bottom left corner by Ugurcan Çakir of Galatasaray. The attempt was assisted by Chris Führich.
Roland SallaiYellow CardRoland Sallai of Galatasaray receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Jamie Leweling from Stuttgart wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Roland Sallai of Galatasaray.
Grischa PrömelYellow CardGrischa Prömel from Stuttgart receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Grischa Prömel from Stuttgart commits a foul.
Aleksey Batrakov from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Roland Sallai from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Maximilian Mittelstädt from Stuttgart commits a foul.
Ramon Hendriks from Stuttgart commits a foul.
Baris Alper Yilmaz from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Bilal El Khannouss from Stuttgart has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it's saved in the bottom right corner by Ugurcan Çakir from Galatasaray. The assist came from Ramon Hendriks.
Attempt missed. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) takes a right-footed shot from a tough angle on the right, but it goes close and misses to the right. He was assisted by Yunus Akgün with a through ball.
Attempt missed. Chris Führich from Stuttgart has a right-footed shot from the left side of the box that goes wide to the right. He was assisted by Ermedin Demirovic.
Attempt saved. Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray has his right-footed shot from the center of the box saved by Fabian Bredlow of Stuttgart, who is positioned in the center of the goal. The assist came from Baris Alper Yilmaz.
Ismail Jakobs from Galatasaray commits a foul.
Jamie Leweling from Stuttgart wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Ermedin Demirovic from Stuttgart commits a foul.
Lucas Torreira from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Roland Sallai of Galatasaray.
Chris Führich from Stuttgart wins a free kick on the left wing.
Victor Osimhen's header from the center of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Aleksey Batrakov's cross.
Bilal El Khannouss from Stuttgart wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Aleksey Batrakov from Galatasaray commits a foul.
Lucas Torreira's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Yunus Akgün.
Galatasaray wins a corner after Jeff Chabot concedes.
Chris Führich from Stuttgart commits a foul.
Roland Sallai from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Ermedin Demirovic of Stuttgart.
Ramon Hendriks from Stuttgart is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Aleksey Batrakov from Galatasaray commits a foul.
Davinson Sánchez from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the attacking half.
The second half begins with Galatasaray leading Stuttgart 2-0.
Yanik SpaltYellow CardYanik Spalt from Stuttgart receives a yellow card for a foul.
The first half ends with Galatasaray leading Stuttgart 2-0.
Foul committed by Yanik Spalt of Stuttgart.
Aleksey Batrakov from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Galatasaray wins a corner after Jeff Chabot concedes.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 3 minutes of added time.
Attempt blocked. Baris Alper Yilmaz from Galatasaray has a right-footed shot from outside the box that is blocked. Ismail Jakobs provided the assist.
Maximilian Mittelstädt from Stuttgart wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Yunus Akgün of Galatasaray.
Ramon Hendriks from Stuttgart is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Davinson Sánchez of Galatasaray.
Victor Osimhen's right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Baris Alper Yilmaz.
Galatasaray wins a corner after Ramon Hendriks concedes.
Ermedin Demirovic of Stuttgart is caught offside.
Stuttgart wins a corner after Roland Sallai concedes.
Attempt blocked. Chris Führich's right-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Deniz Undav provided the assist.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Baris Alper Yilmaz from Galatasaray receives a yellow card.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Aleksey Batrakov from Galatasaray.
Deniz Undav Yellow CardDeniz Undav from Stuttgart receives a yellow card.
Stuttgart wins a corner after Ismail Jakobs concedes.
Bilal El Khannouss from Stuttgart has his right-footed shot from the left side of the box blocked. The attempt was assisted by Chris Führich.
Attempt missed. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) heads the ball from the left side of the six-yard box but misses to the left. Yunus Akgün provided the assist with a cross after a corner.
Galatasaray wins a corner after Ramon Hendriks concedes.
Galatasaray wins a corner after Jeff Chabot concedes.
Foul committed by Ermedin Demirovic of Stuttgart.
Davinson Sánchez of Galatasaray is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Grischa Prömel from Stuttgart commits a foul.
Aleksey Batrakov from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Ramon Hendriks from Stuttgart commits a foul.
Lucas Torreira from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray has a left-footed shot from outside the box that goes high and wide to the left. Yunus Akgün assisted him following a fast break.
Aleksey Batrakov from Galatasaray has his right-footed shot from the left side of the box saved in the center of the goal by Fabian Bredlow of Stuttgart. The attempt was assisted by Baris Alper Yilmaz.
Galatasaray is called offside as Victor Osimhen is caught in an offside position.
Jamie Leweling from Stuttgart misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it high and wide to the right. The cross was assisted by Chris Führich.
Jeff Chabot from Stuttgart wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Baris Alper Yilmaz of Galatasaray.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Substitution for Stuttgart: Yanik Spalt comes on for Atakan Karazor due to an injury.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Atakan Karazor from Stuttgart.
assist: Davinson Sánchez
Goal! Galatasaray leads Stuttgart 2-0. Aleksey Batrakov scores for Galatasaray with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box into the center of the goal, assisted by Davinson Sánchez.
Deniz Undav from Stuttgart misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box, sending it high and wide to the right.
Goal! Galatasaray leads Stuttgart 1-0. Aleksey Batrakov scores for Galatasaray with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the top right corner.
Jamie Leweling from Stuttgart hits the left post with a right-footed shot from very close range, assisted by Maximilian Mittelstädt's cross.
Foul committed by Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray.
Ramon Hendriks from Stuttgart wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Yunus Akgün from Galatasaray is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Maximilian Mittelstädt commits a foul for Stuttgart.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Atakan KarazorYellow CardAtakan Karazor from Stuttgart receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Mario Lemina from Galatasaray.
Mario Lemina from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Atakan Karazor of Stuttgart.
Roland Sallai from Galatasaray wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Ermedin Demirovic from Stuttgart commits a foul.
First half begins.
