For Gala, this marks their first appearance in the competition’s knockout phase in 12 years. For Juve, it is another opportunity to halt a worrying run of five consecutive elimination defeats.
Galatasaray progressed despite a 2-0 loss to Manchester City on the final matchday of the league phase. That defeat extended a winless run in Europe to four games, and they ultimately scraped through in 20th place. Across their last 14 continental fixtures, they have managed just three victories — hardly dominant form.
However, domestic momentum tells a different story. Since the conclusion of the league phase, Okan Buruk’s side have reeled off four straight wins in all competitions, scoring 15 goals in the process. Captain Mauro Icardi has been central to that surge, netting five times, including a hat-trick in a 5-1 dismantling of Eyupspor.
Three points clear at the summit of the Super Lig, Buruk — a member of the club’s historic UEFA Cup-winning squad in 2000 — now aims to replicate that continental ambition from the dugout. Galatasaray’s 200th European Cup fixture arrives at a venue where they have lost just once in their last 11 continental home matches. Notably, they have scored in 17 of their previous 18 in Europe, underlining their attacking reliability in Istanbul.
Juventus, meanwhile, finished 13th in the league phase with 13 points — seven places above their hosts — after closing out with a goalless draw against Monaco. The Bianconeri have now reached the latter stages of the Champions League for the 10th time in 12 seasons, yet recent knockout history is sobering: five straight elimination exits since defeating Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Under Luciano Spalletti, appointed in November, Juve have become structurally more resilient. They are unbeaten in five matches, keeping clean sheets in their last three prior to the weekend. Still, away-day fragility persists. During the league phase, they collected just five points from a possible 12 on the road, and recent domestic defeats in Cagliari, Bergamo and Milan highlight vulnerability outside Turin.
Saturday’s 3-2 Derby d’Italia loss to Inter Milan — despite a spirited comeback after going down to 10 men — will have dented confidence and complicated their Serie A top-four ambitions.
Historically, this fixture favours the hosts in Istanbul. Juventus have never won away to Galatasaray in three previous attempts, and Gala claimed a 1-0 victory in their last Champions League meeting in December 2013.
Form Guide
Galatasaray (Champions League): LLWWWLGalatasaray (all competitions): WLWWWW
Juventus (Champions League): LDWWWD
Juventus (all competitions): WDWLDD
Injuries & Suspensions
Buruk faces a tactical dilemma in attack. Whether to pair Icardi with Victor Osimhen — formerly of Napoli — remains uncertain. Icardi’s recent scoring streak strengthens the case for continuity, while Osimhen needs two more goals to equal Galatasaray’s record for a single Champions League campaign and has scored in five of his last six league appearances.Gabriel Sara could reinforce midfield, potentially allowing Ilkay Gundogan to operate further forward. Mario Lemina is suspended, and Metahan Baltaci is banned following off-field issues. Leroy Sane has returned to full training and may feature, while Noa Lang is also available.
Juventus are comparatively light on absentees. Strikers Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik remain sidelined through injury. Midfielder Khephren Thuram is expected to recover from a bone bruise sustained before the Derby d’Italia.
In Vlahovic’s absence, Jonathan David should lead the line ahead of Lois Openda, supported by Turkish international Kenan Yildiz, who has been particularly productive in Europe — creating 12 chances and completing 16 dribbles in this season’s competition.
Possible Starting 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
Expert Prediction
Galatasaray 1-1 Juventus
