2026-2027 Champions League: Gornik Zabrze vs. Fenerbahçe, Probable Lineups

After securing a 1-0 home win in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League, Fenerbahçe started the return leg with a narrow but significant draw against Gornik Zabrze, a Polish side that needed to win by two goals (a one-goal margin would have sent the match into extra time and possibly a penalty shootout) to avoid “relegation” to the Europa League.

Prior to the match in Istanbul, the Poles had also lost 3-1 in the national Super Cup against Lech Poznan: Khlan’s 14th-minute goal proved futile, as the lead was erased by goals from Kozubal (27′), Ishak (47′), and Pablo Rodriguez (69′). In league play on Saturday, they secured their first win of the season: a 2-1 victory over Slask, who had taken the lead through Banaszak in the 7th minute but were overtaken thanks to an own goal by Matsenko in the 65th minute and the winning goal by Ikia Dimi in the 79th minute.

Fenerbahce, which finished second in the most recent Turkish Super Lig, is seeking a spot in the Champions League group stage—a feat it hasn’t achieved since the 2008–2009 season. The first leg against Gornik Zabrze was also their first official match, preceded by friendly wins against Admira (5-0), Pogon Szczecin (4-0), and LASK Linz (2-1). Fans of the yellow-and-blue Istanbul club are also awaiting a high-profile transfer coup: at the top of the club’s list is AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, although the gap between the two sides remains quite wide.

Probable Lineups

GORNIK ZABRZE (4-3-3): Schulze; Sacek, Janicki, Josema, Janza; Sadilek, Dietz, Urbanski; Ismaheel, Prekop, Khlan. Head Coach: Gasparik.

FENERBAHCE (4-2-3-1): Gunok; Semedo, Skriniar, Ake, Oosterwolde; Guendouzi, Fred; Kahveci, Asensio, Akturkoglu; Talisca. Head Coach: Ismail Kartal.