Galatasaray to host Club Brugge in UCL clash without strikers

Following Radamel Falcao and Florin Andone injuries, Ryan Babel will also be out of squad for Turkish Super League club Galatasaray as they will take on Club Brugge from Belgium in a crucial UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday, which would shape the Istanbul team's destiny in Europe.

Without these three strikers, Galatasaray are expected to face difficulties in scoring against the Belgium side.

Dutch forward Babel will also miss the match against Club Brugge after injuries of Falcao and Andone, Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim said during a press conference on Monday.

Meanwhile, Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera recovered and will play against the Belgium club, Terim added.

Istanbul's yellow and reds saw one draw and three losses, failing to score any goal in four group matches this season.

Galatasaray have been troubled by wave of injuries especially in forward position.

Falcao traveled to Spain for treatment and is expected to return to Istanbul after he recovers.

Another forward, Florin Andone from Romania is out until January 2020 as he has been suffering from medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee injury.

Having sat in bottom with one point at Group A, Galatasaray have to get at least one point from Club Brugge in Tuesday's week 5 game to keep their hopes alive for their European journey.

Galatasaray were eliminated from the Champions League after they suffered a devastating 6-0 loss to Real Madrid in an away match held at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Nov. 6 -- equalling their biggest defeat in a UEFA competition.

Shut out of the top two, Galatasaray have to be confirmed in the number three spot to continue their European adventure in UEFA's second-tier tournament, the Europa League.

The Lions have been in trouble in their European campaign for at least a year, as their last Champions League win came way back in September 2018.

The match between Galatasaray and Club Brugge will kick off in Istanbul's Turk Telekom Stadium on Tuesday at 8.55 p.m.