Galatasaray vs Juventus: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction
With a place in the last 16 of this season’s Champions League at stake, Galatasaray host Juventus at Rams Park on Tuesday in the first leg of their knockout play-off tie.
The teams endured contrasting fortunes in domestic action last time out, with Galatasaray recording a 5-1 victory over Eyupspor, while Juventus suffered a last-minute 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan.
Match preview
After winning three of their opening four group-stage fixtures, Galatasaray looked poised for automatic qualification to the knockout stages, but a disappointing run of one point from their final four matches saw them finish 20th in the standings.
As a result, Okan Buruk’s side must now navigate a two-legged tie against Juventus if they are to reach the Champions League last 16 for the first time in 13 years.
The Lions will hope history repeats itself, having defeated Juventus 1-0—a result that extended their unbeaten run in this fixture to three matches—on their way to the round of 16 in the 2013-14 season.
Since a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in their final UCL league-phase fixture, Galatasaray have won four consecutive matches by a combined score of 15-2, underlining their strength at both ends of the pitch.
Unlike Galatasaray, Juventus made a rough start to the Champions League campaign, failing to win any of their opening three matches before picking up 10 points from the final 12 available to finish 13th.
Luciano Spalletti’s men suffered a crushing defeat against Inter Milan in Saturday’s Derby d’Italia, where Piotr Zielinski netted in the 90th minute to settle a five-goal thriller.
Now 15 points adrift of top spot in Serie A, I Bianconeri are all but out of the title race and having exited the Coppa Italia too, the Champions League represents their last shot at silverware this term.
Winless in three games, during which they have conceded a whopping eight times, Tuesday’s visitors have serious defensive issues to address ahead of their trip to Turkey.
Team news
Metehan Baltaci and Mario Lemina are suspended for Galatasaray here, but the latter will be eligible to take part in next week’s return leg.
Victor Osimhen has scored 15 goals across all competitions for the hosts this season, including six in the Champions League, making the Nigerian one to watch.
Dusan Vlahovic has not featured for Juventus since November as he remains sidelined with a groin problem, while Khephren Thuram (knock) is also ruled out.
Weston McKennie has been directly involved in four goals in his last four matches and will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
Galatasaray Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Sallai, Sanchez, Bardakci, Elmali; Torreira, Sara; Akgun, Gundogan, Lang; Osimhen
Juventus Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Cambiasso, Kelly, Bremer, Kalulu; Miretti, Locatelli; Yildiz, McKennie, Conceicao; David
Prediction: Galatasaray 1-2 Juventus