Galatasaray vs. Juventus: Match Preview, Predictions, and Starting Lineups
The UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs kick off in Istanbul this Tuesday, February 17, featuring a high-stakes clash between Galatasaray and Juventus at RAMS Park. This is the first encounter between the two teams since 2013, a match that saw Galatasaray edge out Juventus with an 85th-minute goal from Wesley Sneijder, propelling them to the round of 16.
Match Details
Both teams come into this match with differing recent histories in the Champions League. Juventus has reached the final twice in recent years, but they have faced challenges in asserting dominance in European football. Conversely, Galatasaray has not advanced past the round of 16 since the 2013-14 season, despite significant investments to enhance their squad.
Galatasaray secured ten points in the league stage, allowing them to advance from the group phase, although they struggled towards the end, failing to win any of their last four matches. Juventus fared slightly better, winning three of their last five games but suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Inter in the recent Derby d’Italia.
Kick-off Information
- Date: Tuesday, February 17
- Time: 5:45 p.m. GMT / 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT
- Location: RAMS Park, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED)
- VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Head-to-Head Record
In their last five encounters:
- Galatasaray: 2 wins
- Juventus: 1 win
- Draws: 2
Last meeting: Galatasaray 1–0 Juventus (December 11, 2013) – Champions League
Current Form
Recent performances in all competitions for both teams are as follows:
| Galatasaray | Juventus |
|---|---|
| 5–1 vs. Eyüpspor | 2–2 vs. Lazio |
| 3–1 vs. Istanbulspor | 3–0 loss to Atalanta |
| 4–0 vs. Kayserispor | 1–4 vs. Parma |
| 0–0 vs. Man City | 0–0 vs. Monaco |
Team News
Galatasaray will aim for a strong home advantage. Coach Okan Buruk is expected to keep his effective strike pair, Victor Osimhen and Mauro Icardi, on the pitch. New signings Noa Lang, Yáser Asprilla, and Sacha Boey will feature in the squad for the knockout rounds, while goalkeeper Enes Emre Büyük is ruled out due to injury. Mario Lemina is also suspended for one match due to yellow card accumulation.
Predicted Lineups
Galatasaray’s Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):
- Çakir; Boey, Sánchez, Bardakçı, Elmali; Akgün, Torreira, Gündoğan, Lang; Icardi, Osimhen
Juventus’ Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Miretti; Zhegrova, McKennie, Yıldız; David
Match Prediction
As Juventus prepares to visit Istanbul, they will face challenges posed by the intense atmosphere. The last trip to Turkey was over a decade ago, and the Bianconeri must navigate this hostile environment carefully. Given their recent form and the pressure this match brings, a close encounter is anticipated. Our prediction is a 1-1 draw between Galatasaray and Juventus.
For more updates, stay tuned to Filmogaz.com for the latest Champions League news, previews, and analyses.
