Galatasaray tear Juventus apart in stunning 5-2 Champions League night | OneFootball

Turkish side take huge step toward last 16

Galatasaray tear Juventus apart in stunning 5-2 Champions League night

Galatasaray claimed stunning 5-2 home win over Juventus in Champions League play-off first leg at RAMS Park.

A wild night in Istanbul

Galatasaray took a huge step toward Champions League last 16 after dramatic 5-2 victory over Juventus on Tuesday 17 February in first leg of the play-off round.

The Turkish side started with high intensity and took the lead in the 15 minute when Gabriel Sara punished a defensive mistake.

Juventus replied almost immediately as Teun Koopmeiners scored in the 16 minute after rebound inside the box.

Juventus then turned the match around before the break. Koopmeiners struck again in the 32 minute finishing quick move with Weston McKennie, to give the Italian side 2-1 lead at half-time despite heavy pressure from the hosts.

Second-half collapse for Juventus

The match changed completely after the restart. Noa Lang made it 2-2 in the 49 minute reacting first after shot came back off the goalkeeper.

Galatasaray then pushed harder and were rewarded again in the 60 minute when Davinson Sanchez headed in from free-kick delivered by Sara.

Juventus’ problems grew worse in the 67 minute when defender Juan Cabal was sent off after picking up second yellow card.

Down to ten men, the visitors struggled to cope with the pace and movement of the home side.

Lang struck again in the 74 minute after another defensive error making it 4-2 and sending the Istanbul crowd into celebration.

Galatasaray finish strong

With Juventus unable to respond, Galatasaray kept pressing. The pressure paid off late on when Sacha Boey scored the fifth goal in the 86 minute effectively putting the tie firmly in the Turkish side’s hands.

Despite several attacking substitutions from both teams, the scoreline did not change again leaving Juventus facing a very difficult task in the return leg.

What comes next

The second leg will be played in Turin on Wednesday 25 February 25 where Juventus will need a big win to keep their European hopes alive.

Galatasaray meanwhile are now close to booking a place in Champions League round of 16.