Galatasaray fans welcome Manchester United back to 'hell'

ISTANBUL

Galatasaray supporters light flares as they wait for Manchester United players arrival at Ataturk airport on November 19. AFP Photo

Galatasaray fans channeled the spirit of 1993 in giving Manchester United an infernal welcome to Istanbul ahead of tonight’s Group H Champions League, which is critical for the hosts, Doğan news agency reported.

Fans of the Lions hit the windows of Atatürk Airport’s international arrivals terminal, lit torches and shouted slogans in support of their team.

Numerous police officers were dispatched to the airport to provide security before they used pepper gas to disperse the group.

A Galatasaray official asked the fans to calm down while addressing them with a megaphone from a police vehicle.

Manchester United’s players left the airport from another door as part of the security measures.

The Red Devils will field an under-strength side having already confirmed themselves as group winners, but Galatasaray will be gunning for a victory to ensure it keeps hold of second place in the group ahead of CFR Cluj and Braga.

Galatasaray fans memorably provided an even-more intimidating welcome to the English team in 1993, sporting banners saying “Welcome to Hell” and chanting “No Way Out” as the opposing players tried to leave the terminal. That subsequent match ended 0-0, allowing Galatasaray to advance to the Champions League on the away-goals rule.