The last time Juventus travelled to Galatasaray in the Champions League playoff first leg last week, they left with a humbling 5-2 defeat. This time, a fallen giant returns to Turin needing a minor miracle to overturn the tie and reach the last 16.
It's Champions League action on Wednesday, February 25, as Juventus hosts Galatasaray at the Allianz Stadium, looking to salvage pride after one of their worst European nights. Bianconeri boss Luciano Spalletti will be aiming to reach the Champions League knockout stage for the first time with the club.
📈Team Form📉
⚪ Juventus: On a run of five losses in their last six matches across all competitions.
🔴 Galatasaray: Won five straight before a shock defeat last weekend.
📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊
🔥 This is only the second time Juventus have conceded five or more goals in any UEFA competition.
🔥 Galatasaray have progressed from all 11 two-legged UEFA ties when winning the first leg by three or more goals.
🔥 Juventus need a historic performance: only four teams have overturned a first-leg deficit of at least three goals in Champions League history.
🔥 Gala have lost just one of seven meetings with Juventus, with last week's win equalling their biggest margin of victory in the competition.
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥
⚪Juventus | Form: W🟢L🔴D🟡L🔴L🔴L🔴:
Luciano Spalletti's side are a club in crisis after their tame 2-0 defeat to Como extended their miserable run. That loss—their fifth in six games—leaves them four points behind the Champions League places in Serie A.
They will need a performance for the ages to turn this tie around after crumbling under pressure in Istanbul. With 49 previous instances of a team losing the first leg by three or more goals, only four have advanced—Juve must now defy those odds.
🔴Galatasaray | Form: W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢L🔴:
Okan Buruk's side are heavy favourites to sail through after their emphatic 5-2 win in the club's 200th European Cup match. That triumph has set them up to reach the last 16 for the first time since 2014.
However, they took their eye off the ball last weekend, suffering a shock 2-0 loss to Konyaspor, who had gone 12 games without a league win. Despite that, they boast a prolific frontline and have lost just one of seven all-time meetings with Juventus.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥
⚪Juventus (possible):
Perin, Gatti, Bremer, Kelly, McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Kostic, Conceicao, Yildiz, David.
🔴Galatasaray (possible):
Cakir, Sallai, Bardakci, Sanchez, Jakobs, Torreira, Sara, Yilmaz, Akgun, Lang, Osimhen.
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀
✨ Kenan Yildiz — The Turkish star could lead Juventus' attack alongside Jonathan David in a must-score home tie.
✨ Victor Osimhen — Needs two more goals to equal Galatasaray's club record for a single Champions League campaign.
✨ Gabriel Sara — Created seven chances in the first leg and became just the second player to both score and assist in a knockout match for Gala.
✨ Noa Lang — Helped himself to two goals in Istanbul as Galatasaray surged into a big first-leg lead.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵
💵 Juventus/Home to win = 1.48
💵 Galatasaray/Away to win = 6.42
💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.64
💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.48
This crush pits desperation against confidence: a Galatasaray side with one foot in the last 16 faces a Juventus team fighting to salvage pride and keep their European dream alive.
With history offering little hope for the hosts, the Allianz Stadium is set for a compelling Champions League night.
Who do you think will reach the last 16? Could you tell us your prediction in the comments?
🔗 You can follow the Juventus vs Galatasaray game here on MSport.
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