European nights in Istanbul rarely lack intensity, and Tuesday’s first-leg playoff promises exactly that. Galatasaray welcome an angry Juventus side to a stadium that has long been a fortress in continental competition, with both clubs eyeing a return to the UEFA Champions League Last 16.
For Galatasaray, this represents a significant milestone. It is their first involvement in a Champions League knockout tie in over a decade, and the sense of occasion will not be lost on Okan Buruk or his players. Though they limped through the league phase, collecting just three wins from eight outings and going four matches without victory before qualification was secured, they did enough to progress in 20th place.
The 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on the final matchday mattered little in the grand scheme. Since then, momentum has returned. Four consecutive wins across all competitions have restored belief, with 15 goals scored in that stretch. Captain Mauro Icardi has been particularly clinical, netting five times in that run, including a hat-trick in a commanding league win last weekend.
Sitting three points clear at the top of the Super Lig, Galatasaray arrive in confident domestic form, and buoyed by a raucous home crowd. European history also favours them in Istanbul. This will be the home side’s 200th European Cup match, and they have lost just once in their last 11 continental home games.
Goals are rarely an issue on this stage either, as they have failed to score just once in their previous 18 European outings at home. Notably, Juventus have never won away to Galatasaray in the Champions League, drawing or losing on each of their three prior visits. The most recent meeting ended in a 1-0 victory for the Turkish side in 2013.
Juventus, however, bring their own pedigree. They finished 13th in the league phase with 13 points, seven more than Galatasaray, and have reached the latter stages of Europe’s premier competition in ten of the last 12 seasons. Yet recent knockout history is less reassuring. The Bianconeri have lost five straight elimination ties since overcoming Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Under Luciano Spalletti, Juventus have become harder to break down. Since his arrival in November, they have gone unbeaten in five matches and kept clean sheets in their last three prior to the weekend. Spalletti’s broader Champions League record is solid too, with ten wins in his last 16 top-level European games across spells in Italy.
Still, inconsistency away from home remains a concern. Juventus collected just five points from four away fixtures in the league phase and have suffered domestic defeats in Cagliari, Bergamo, and Milan in recent weeks. Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 loss to Inter, in which they battled back after being reduced to ten men but ultimately fell short, underlined both their resilience and their fragility.
Tactically, this could become a fascinating battle between Galatasaray’s aggressive, front-foot approach at home and Juventus’s more measured, defensively structured system. The hosts will look to impose tempo early, fuelled by the atmosphere, while Juve may prioritise control and compactness, mindful that this is only the first leg. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Galatasaray approach this first leg with a few selection dilemmas and notable absences. Mario Lemina is suspended and unavailable, depriving Okan Buruk of an experienced midfield presence against his former club. Metehan Baltaci is also banned following his involvement in a betting-related investigation, further limiting defensive depth.
There are no major fresh injury concerns reported among the core starting group, but squad management remains key given the intensity of recent fixtures. On a positive note, Leroy Sane has resumed full training after a spell out and could feature, while recent signing Noa Lang is also available for selection.
The primary tactical debate centres around the forward line. Mauro Icardi has rediscovered his sharpness in front of goal, delivering consistently in recent weeks. Victor Osimhen, meanwhile, continues to be a decisive figure and is closing in on Galatasaray’s single-season Champions League scoring record, having netted in five of his last six league matches.
Buruk may opt for caution in the first leg and structure his side with greater midfield balance rather than starting both strikers together from the outset. To strengthen the central areas, Gabriel Sara could be introduced alongside Lucas Torreira, allowing Ilkay Gundogan to operate in a more advanced attacking midfield role.
Galatasaray are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ugurcan Cakir is set to start in goal. The back four should consist of Roland Sallai at right-back, Abdulkerim Bardakci and Davinson Sanchez as the central defensive pairing, and Ismail Jakobs at left-back. In midfield, Lucas Torreira will likely anchor the side as a defensive midfielder, partnered by Gabriel Sara in a deeper central role.
Ahead of them, Leroy Sane is expected to operate on the right wing, Ilkay Gundogan will take up the central attacking midfield position, and Baris Alper Yilmaz should start on the left. Leading the line will be Victor Osimhen, who is expected to spearhead the attack in this crucial European encounter.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Sallai, Bardakci, Sanchez, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Sane, Gundogan, Yilmaz; Osimhen
Juventus travel to Istanbul with a relatively stable squad, though they remain without two recognised centre-forwards. Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are both sidelined through injury, limiting Luciano Spalletti’s options in the number nine role. There are no suspension concerns for the Bianconeri ahead of this first leg.
Encouragingly for Juventus, key midfielder Khephren Thuram is expected to recover from the bone bruise that ruled him out of the recent Derby d’Italia, strengthening the midfield depth available for selection. In the absence of Vlahovic, Jonathan David is poised to lead the line, with Lois Openda likely to begin on the bench.
The Canadian forward’s movement and ability to stretch defensive lines make him a suitable fit for a system that prioritises structured build-up and controlled transitions. Supporting him will be Kenan Yildiz, who is expected to operate in an advanced role and carries particular motivation playing in Turkey.
Yildiz has been one of Juventus’s most dynamic performers in this season’s Champions League, creating 12 chances and completing 16 successful dribbles in the competition so far. Juventus are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Michele Di Gregorio will start in goal.
The defensive line should feature Pierre Kalulu at right-back, Gleison Bremer and Lloyd Kelly as the central defensive pairing, and Andrea Cambiaso occupying the left-back position. In midfield, Manuel Locatelli is likely to operate as the deeper-lying playmaker, partnered by Teun Koopmeiners in a central role tasked with linking defence and attack.
Further forward, Francisco Conceicao is expected to start on the right wing, Weston McKennie will operate in the central attacking midfield role, and Kenan Yildiz will feature on the left flank. Jonathan David should lead the line as the lone striker, responsible for spearheading Juventus’ attacking efforts in this crucial European tie.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Koopmeiners; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; David
All eyes will be on Kenan Yildiz as Juventus return to Istanbul. The young Turkish forward has quietly become one of the Bianconeri’s most influential attacking outlets in Europe this season, and playing on home soil adds an extra layer of narrative to his performance.
Yildiz has already created 12 chances in this Champions League campaign while completing 16 successful dribbles, a reflection of both his creativity and directness. Comfortable operating from the left but capable of drifting centrally, he thrives in one-versus-one situations and is fearless when driving at defenders.
Beyond the numbers, his intelligence between the lines makes him difficult to track. He often drops into pockets to link play before accelerating into space, a trait that could test Galatasaray’s defensive structure. In a tie that may be decided by moments rather than dominance, Yildiz has the profile of a player capable of producing something decisive.
This first leg feels finely balanced. Galatasaray’s intensity at home and their recent attacking rhythm make them dangerous, particularly with Victor Osimhen leading the line and the crowd driving every phase of play. Juventus, however, bring greater structural discipline and European experience, and Luciano Spalletti’s side have shown they can absorb pressure and remain compact in hostile environments.
The tempo is likely to fluctuate, Galatasaray pushing early, Juve seeking control and transitions, but neither side will want to leave themselves exposed before the return leg in Turin. Expect moments of quality rather than sustained dominance.
