Galatasaray go head-to-head with Juventus in their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off first leg on Tuesday evening at the Rams Park in Istanbul.
Galatasaray vs Juventus – Match preview and team news
- Date: Tuesday, 17th February.
- Kick-off: 5:45pm BST.
- Venue: RAMS Park, Istanbul.
Galatasaray team news
Galatasaray will be without defender Metehan Baltaci, who is suspended for the first leg after accumulating yellow cards. The Turkish champions will also miss Mario Lemina, who is suspended but will be available for the return leg in Turin next week.
Enes Emre Buyuk remains sidelined with a shoulder injury and is not expected to return until early March.
On the positive side, Galatasaray’s attack looks formidable with Victor Osimhen leading the line. The Nigerian striker has been in sensational form this season, netting 15 goals across all competitions, including six in the Champions League.
Head coach Okan Buruk expressed confidence ahead of the match, stating: “We have a deep understanding of both the Italian league and Juventus. While we have thoroughly examined their past matchups, our concentration is firmly on the present. We have consistently performed well in similar situations. Competing at home, supported by our fans, gives us a significant advantage”.
Juventus team news
Juventus face a mounting injury crisis ahead of their trip to Istanbul. Striker Jonathan David has been ruled out with a groin injury suffered during Saturday’s controversial 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan and is not included in the travelling squad. The Canadian international had been Luciano Spalletti’s first-choice striker following Dusan Vlahovic’s injury.
Speaking of Vlahovic, the Serbian forward remains out with a tendon injury sustained in late November and is not expected to return until late February.
Fellow striker Arkadiusz Milik is also unavailable due to physical discomfort, with his return anticipated for late February. Defender Emil Holm suffered a calf muscle injury during the Derby d’Italia and is set to miss several weeks of action, ruling him out until early March.
However, there is positive news regarding Khephren Thuram, who has been added to the squad after missing the Inter clash due to a slight knock suffered in training.
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti acknowledged the challenge ahead, commenting: “The atmosphere in Istanbul will be very heated, and there is a risk of losing sight of what is most important. We will face Galatasaray convinced that we have a chance to play properly. They are a team with considerable quality and players that I know well”.
Form
Galatasaray
Okan Buruk’s side has been in exceptional domestic form, winning four consecutive matches since their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in their final Champions League group stage match.
The Turkish champions have scored an impressive 15 goals while conceding just four during this period.
Juventus
Luciano Spalletti’s Juventus are enduring a challenging period, managing just one victory in its last five matches across all competitions.
Their most recent outing ended in heartbreak with a 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan, where Piotr Zielinski scored a 90th-minute winner at the San Siro.
Predicted lineups
Galatasaray: Cakir; Sallai, Bardakci, Sanchez, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Sane, Gundogan, Yilmaz; Osimhen
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Koopmeiners; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; David
How to watch Galatasaray vs Juventus?
UK fans can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1.
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