Galatasaray have the more expensive squad and greater potential, while the home crowd will urge them forward. But right now, that almost does not matter. In the summer, it is not the team with the better squad that wins, but the one that already knows what to do with the ball. The Turks do not yet. In their last two friendlies, they have failed to score and conceded five goals. Rennes have recorded two wins in that time. The difference in readiness is too obvious to ignore.
Galatasaray
Everything is currently disconnected for the hosts. Victor Osimhen makes runs, Ilkay Gundogan looks for a pass, and his team-mates seem to move — yet there is still no cohesive attack. The ball reaches the final third and gets bogged down there. Two goalless matches for a squad like this are no longer merely a summer aberration. It is even more worrying at the back. Monza scored twice against the Turks, while Venezia scored three times. All three goals from the Italians came after the 70th minute. That is genuinely important. As soon as fatigue sets in, the gaps between the lines grow, the centre becomes empty, and the defenders start facing opponents while looking towards their own goal. Galatasaray will surely push forward at home. They will not play any other way in front of their own fans. The first half-hour could be lively. But possession alone achieves nothing. If the team is stretched after losing the ball, it becomes not an advantage but a problem.
Rennes
Rennes look more straightforward at the moment. That is precisely why they are more convincing. The French side are not trying to play football they are not yet ready for. In three friendlies, Franck Haise's team have recorded two wins: against Guingamp (3:1) and Club Brugge (2:1). The second result is particularly telling. The Belgians are a proper European-level opponent, not a team brought in for an easy warm-up. Estéban Lepaul and Issa Soumaré scored in both matches. That means there is already not only movement in attack but also clear combinations. The match-up suits the French side too. Galatasaray will open up the necessary spaces themselves, especially after the break. Rennes just need to keep their composure — and that is exactly what they have been doing well so far. Moreover, the team began their preparations earlier and look physically fresher.
Galatasaray vs Rennes Prediction
At first, the Turks will pin the visitors back. They may even create a couple of good chances. Then the substitutions will begin, the tempo will drop, and there will again be too much space between midfield and defence. That is where Rennes will take control of the match.
We find it difficult to back Galatasaray purely because of their names and home advantage. The French side are currently better prepared, more composed without the ball and already know how to punish their opponents.
