Bianconeri fall at Galatasaray following red card | OneFootball

Juventus suffered a 5-2 loss in Istanbul against Galatasaray in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs.

MATCH REPORT

The match began with both teams well-balanced despite the fiery stadium atmosphere, with the Bianconeri ready to strike on the counter. In the 15th minute, however, it was the Turks who found the breakthrough: Sara received the ball in the box and made it 1-0 with a left-footed shot. Juventus reacted immediately: barely a minute passed and the Bianconeri scored an equalizer. Cambiaso played a ball into the penalty area, which Kalulu headed, and Çakır managed parried it, but Koopmeiners responded quickly with tap-in and an immediate equalizer. On the half-hour mark, Di Gregorio made a decisive save, blocking Osimhen's close-range header. Spalletti's team completed the comeback in the 32nd minute. Having regained possession, McKennie perfectly timed a through ball to Koopmeiners, who, just inside the box, unleashed a powerful precise shot that flew into the top corner to make it 2-1. Six minutes later, another perfect transition freed Conceicao, but his curling left-footed shot went wide of the far post. The first half ended with the Bianconeri leading by one goal.

The second half began with Galatasaray equalizing with a close-range strike from Lang. In the 60th minute, a deflection off Sanchez from a free-kick made it 3-2 to the Turks. The Bianconeri attempted to reorganize themselves, but in the 67th minute they were left with ten men after Cabal's red card. Despite their best efforts and a few attempts to regain the lead with pride, Lang and Boey found two more goals in the closing stages of the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff.

Gallery | Playoff UCL | Galatasaray-Juventus