In a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League playoff rematch, Juventus will face Galatasaray in Turin. The first leg held in Istanbul saw Galatasaray secure a 5-2 victory, giving them a significant advantage. As they head into this match, Galatasaray aims to maintain their control and advance to the next round.
Match Details: Juventus vs Galatasaray
The game is scheduled for February 25, Wednesday, at 23:00 local time. Fans can watch the match live on TRT 1.
Starting Lineups
- Juventus: Perin, Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly, McKennie, Koopmeiners, Locatelli, Thuram, Conceiçao, David, Kenan
- Galatasaray: Uğurcan, Jakobs, Abdülkerim, Sanchez, Sallai, Lemina, Sara, Torreira, Barış, Lang, Osimhen
Match Officials
| Role | Official |
|---|---|
| Main Referee | Joao Pinheiro (Portugal) |
| Assistant Referee 1 | Bruno Jesus |
| Assistant Referee 2 | Luciano Maia |
| Fourth Official | Joao Gonçalves |
| VAR | Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Poland) |
| Assistant VAR | Jerome Brisard (France) |
Coaching Insights
Galatasaray’s coach, Okan Buruk, emphasized the importance of maintaining focus despite the first leg’s victory. He noted that the team’s concentration will be crucial to their success. Buruk stated, “We need to play as if we have not yet played the first match.”
A Historic Rivalry
This match marks the eighth encounter between Juventus and Galatasaray. Historically, Galatasaray holds the edge with three wins, while Juventus has secured one victory, and three matches ended in draws. In total, Galatasaray has scored 14 goals against Juventus, while conceding 9.
Seeking a Historic Win
Galatasaray aims to break a long-standing curse as they have yet to win in Italy against Italian teams, having drawn six matches and lost seven. A victory at Allianz Stadium would secure their first win on Italian soil.
Champions League Aspirations
If Galatasaray advances, it would mark their return to the last 16 of the Champions League after a 12-year absence. Their last appearance in this stage was during the 2013-2014 season.
Juventus in Struggles
Juventus is currently experiencing one of their toughest periods, having not won any of their last five matches across all competitions. The team will also be without players Juan Cabal and Andrea Cambiaso due to disciplinary reasons.
Key Players to Watch
Kenan Yıldız from Juventus is a standout player, having contributed significantly with 9 goals and 7 assists this season. He poses a major threat to Galatasaray’s defense.
The match promises to be intense as both teams strive for advancement in the prestigious tournament. Tune in for live updates and excitement surrounding this pivotal clash.
