The UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs begin in Istanbul, Turkey on Tuesday evening, as Galatasaray welcome Italian Giant, Juventus to RAMS Park.
These two are facing off for the first time since 2013, when ex-Inter star Wesley Sneijder sunk the Bianconeri with an 85th-minute winner that sent Gala through to the round of 16 at the expense of Antonio Conte’s side.
Juve have since reached the final twice without success, but they’ve struggled to assert themselves on Europe’s biggest stage this decade. The Turkish giants, meanwhile, haven’t reached the Champions League round of 16 since 2013–14.
However, they’ve spent big and have built a squad capable of competing with the continent’s aristocracy. Galatasaray’s ten-point haul in the league phase meant they avoided elimination, but they failed to win any of their final four games. In contast, Juve won three of their final five outings to finish 13th and have the benefit of hosting the second leg of this playoff tie.
They’ve generally been an enthralling watch under Luciano Spalletti, but they enter Tuesday’s bout off the back of a cruel and crushing 3–2 defeat to Inter in the Derby d’Italia.
Watch and Enjoy Galatasaray vs Juventus in UEFA Champions League Playoff Below.
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