On 17/2, at Nef Stadium in Istanbul, Galatasaray dominated the match. They controlled 58% of possession and took 19 shots, with eight on target, significantly outperforming Juventus, who managed six shots with only two on target. The hosts quickly took the lead in the 15th minute, thanks to a powerful strike from outside the box by midfielder Gabriel Sara.

Juventus initially responded well, with Teun Koopmeiners shining by scoring two goals, which gave his team the lead going into halftime. Koopmeiners’ performance marked a significant achievement, as he became the first Juventus midfielder to score two or more goals in a Champions League knockout stage match since the competition adopted its group stage format in the 1991-1992 season.

Davinson Sanchez slides to celebrate a goal in Galatasaray's 5-2 victory over Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League playoff at Nef Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey on 17/2/2026. *Photo: Reuters*

However, the match completely turned after the break. Galatasaray launched a relentless attack, with Noa Lang scoring two goals. Davinson Sanchez and Sacha Boey each contributed one goal, securing a dominant win for Galatasaray. This substantial defeat marked only the second time Juventus had conceded at least five goals in a European Cup match, with the previous instance being a 0-7 loss to Wiener Sport-Club during the 1958-1959 European Cup season.

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti expressed his disappointment after the match, stating, "We didn't finish the first half well. The team tried to adjust and change some details, but we lost our composure. This isn't one step back, but three steps."

A critical turning point occurred early in the second half when Andrea Cambiaso was substituted due to a yellow card, with Juan Cabal coming on as his replacement. Unfortunately for Juventus, Cabal made two direct errors that led to Galatasaray's goals before he himself received a red card in the 67th minute, further compounding his team's difficulties.

Kenan Yildiz frustrated after Juventus conceded the fifth goal. *Photo: Reuters*

Spalletti explained that withdrawing Cambiaso was a necessary decision given the risk of him receiving a second yellow card in such a tense match. Despite this, Juventus continued to struggle, receiving two more yellow cards within the first 15 minutes of the second half. Spalletti noted that the team "complicated things for themselves by not recognizing the danger level in each situation."

Addressing questions about Juventus's recurring defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in European competitions, Spalletti affirmed, "We can only relieve pressure on our defense if we control and truly play football. If we defend deep and wait for counter-attacks, we don't have the right players, nor are we solid enough to close every gap. Attacking is the best form of defense."

Three of the five goals conceded stemmed from botched plays during ball distribution from their own half. Nevertheless, Spalletti did not demand that his players clear the ball unconditionally. "In normal situations, I want the team to play the ball. But when the danger is at its maximum, you must clear the ball to relieve pressure. Not every situation is the same," he explained.

Juventus now faces a formidable challenge, needing to win by at least three goals in the second leg, scheduled for 25/2 in Turin, to overturn the deficit. "We will try to climb that mountain. But words are meaningless now if not accompanied by action," Spalletti emphasized. "The team must be responsible to the fans, to the city, and to the club."

Hong Duy