The key facts

  • Alexey Batrakov scored two goals against Stuttgart in a Champions League match on November 3, with Galatasaray winning 2:0
  • The goals came three minutes apart — in the 12th and 15th minutes; Batrakov was named man of the match
  • Vladimir Ponomarev considers comparisons with Arshavin premature

Batrakov's brace against Stuttgart

On November 3, Galatasaray defeated Stuttgart 2:0 in a Champions League match. Both goals were scored by midfielder Alexey Batrakov, who started the match: he found the net in the 12th and 15th minutes, that is, three minutes apart. In the 77th minute Batrakov was substituted, and was later named man of the match.

Ponomarev: it is too early to compare him with Arshavin

Former Moscow CSKA and USSR national team defender Vladimir Ponomarev in an interview with Gazeta.Ru assessed Batrakov's performance. In his words, comparing the footballer with Andrei Arshavin is premature for now: 'It is too early, too early still to talk about this.' At the same time, he noted Batrakov's good runs into attack and the luck involved in the second goal: the Stuttgart goalkeeper let the ball slip between his legs 'from some angle,' and, in Ponomarev's assessment, 'Lyosha should not have scored that goal.' A clear picture, Ponomarev believes, will emerge after another couple of matches.

Move to Galatasaray

Batrakov moved from Moscow Lokomotiv to Galatasaray in August 2026. The transfer fee was €25 million plus bonuses, and the agreement with the Turkish club runs until June 30, 2031.