French club Paris Saint-Germain will host Turkish side Galatasaray on January 27, 2027, during the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. The fixture pits Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov against compatriot and newly signed midfielder Alexei Batrakov following a Monaco draw.
The Union of European Football Associations published the complete fixture schedule for the opening group phase of the 2026/27 Champions League season following the draw ceremony in Monaco. Among the most anticipated matchups for Russian football followers is the clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Galatasaray, scheduled for January 27 in Paris.
Paris Saint-Germain and the 36-Team League Phase Lineup
Paris Saint-Germain enters the European campaign as the current holder of the Champions League trophy as noted in tournament reporting. Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov remains with the French club after joining from Krasnodar in the summer of 2024. Over the course of the previous season, Safonov secured the starting role by winning a competitive battle against Frenchman Lucas Chevalier, who had originally been brought in to succeed Italian veteran Gianluigi Donnarumma. Safonov’s current contract with the Parisian side runs through the summer of 2029.
The newly expanded league phase features 36 clubs competing in a single large table format where every side plays eight matches—four at home and four away according to tournament regulations. Alongside their fixture against Galatasaray, the French side face a slate of opponents in the opening stage.
Galatasaray Welcomes Alexei Batrakov to European Stage
Galatasaray secured the services of Russian midfielder Alexei Batrakov in August following his transfer from Lokomotiv. The official announcement regarding Batrakov’s move was made on August 20, locking the midfielder into a five-year working agreement with the Turkish side.
The Turkish club’s league-phase opponents stretch across the continent, pairing them with international rivals. Galatasaray will host Barcelona, Aston Villa, Feyenoord, and Stuttgart at home, while taking trips away to face Sporting, Lille, and AEK.
Full Opponent Grids and Upcoming Domestic Tests
The draw sets up an intricate web of fixtures for both clubs as they balance domestic campaigns with European ambitions. Paris Saint-Germain’s full league-phase schedule pairs the club with home matches against Barcelona, Roma, and Slovan, while requiring away trips to face Manchester City, Aston Villa, Villarreal, and Como.
Before attention turns fully to European nights in January, domestic fixtures demand immediate focus. Galatasaray prepares for a home meeting against Göztepe on Saturday, August 29, with kickoff scheduled for 21:30 Moscow time, though exact lineup decisions regarding whether Batrakov will feature immediately remain pending.
