Champions League: Galatasaray vs. Juventus – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV | OneFootball

Weston McKennie will start as a false nine for Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-off against Galatasaray.

It kicks off at 18:45 CET (17:45 GMT) at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul.

Juventus have travelled to the Turkish capital without the injured Dusan Vlahovic, Arek Milik, Emil Holm and Jonathan David.

TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Weston McKennie of Juventus FC celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Cremonese at Allianz Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Lois Openda is the only centre-forward available for the Serie A giants, but according to several sources, including Gazzetta and Tuttosport, USMNT star McKennie will be deployed as a false nine.

Khephren Thuram is available after missing Saturday’s Serie A match against Inter. The Frenchman is expected to start alongside Manuel Locatelli in central midfield.

The Old Lady’s defensive line won’t change with Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, Lloyd Kelly and Andrea Cambiaso.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – NOVEMBER 7: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates victory during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Tottenham Hotspur at Rams Park on November 7, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Former Napoli star Victor Osimhen, who won the Scudetto at Napoli in 2022-23 under Luciano Spalletti, will start up front for Galatasaray.

The 27-year-old has scored 15 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions this season.

Galatasaray vs. Juventus – where to watch on TV

The match will be shown on TNT Sports 1 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Galatasaray vs. Juventus – probable line-ups

Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Sallai, Sánchez, Abdülkerim Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Yunus Akgün, Lang; Osimhen.

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceição, Miretti, Yildiz; McKennie.