Keita puts Galatasaray on level terms

Galatasaray AŞ will welcome Club Atlético de Madrid to Istanbul next Thursday holding a crucial away goal after Kader Keita's equaliser ensured a UEFA Europa League round of 32 first-leg draw.

José Antonio Reyes's perfectly placed free-kick had put Atlético ahead midway through the first half and visiting goalkeeper Leo Franco was a busy man after that. Atlético were unable to protect their advantage, however, with Keita restoring parity after home custodian David De Gea had been forced off through injury.

Galatasaray enjoyed the brighter start and a fine Arda Turan shot tested teenage keeper De Gea, who impressed in the 2-1 defeat of FC Barcelona on Sunday. However, rather out of the blue, Atlético took a 23rd-minute lead, Reyes's set piece from the angle of the area to the right of goal beautifully curled into the opposite top corner.

Atlético were suddenly inspired and Franco tipped over a Diego Forlán free-kick that nearly dipped in. Visiting coach Frank Rijkaard made a move on 35 minutes, introducing on-loan Barcelona playmaker Giovani Dos Santos, but still his side were defending, Franco denying both Sergio Agüero and Raúl García from point-blank range. The Argentinian No1 was then beaten by a Simão snap-shot but the ball bounced away off the crossbar. De Gea was enjoying a quiet spell, in contrast, though he had to turn away Mustafa Sarp's header at full stretch just before the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, De Gea was called on again, this time saving from Keita. At the other end Franco kept out a strong Agüero strike and Simão's swerving free-kick. Franco's young counterpart was then forced out of the match with 19 minutes to go, Sergio Asenjo coming on and bringing the experience of having started all but one of Atlético's pre-Christmas UEFA Champions League games. He was unable to deny Keita, though, the striker running on to Hakan Balta's fine deep cross and beating the substitute at his near post.