Juventus delivered a courageous performance in front of their home crowd, defeating Galatasaray 3–2 after extra time in the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg. Despite the victory on the night, the Italian side were eliminated on aggregate, while Galatasaray secured their place in the last 16.
CEM MİRZANLI/GAZETEM
Foto: Galatasaray X
Determined to overturn the first-leg deficit, Juventus started aggressively and took the lead through Manuel Locatelli’s penalty. The pressure continued in the second half as Federico Gatti and Weston McKennie added two more goals, leveling the aggregate score and sending the match into extra time.
Juventus faced an additional challenge after being reduced to ten men following a red card. Even with a numerical disadvantage, the Italian side maintained their intensity, defending with discipline and continuing to threaten their opponents.
However, Galatasaray’s resilience proved decisive in extra time. Victor Osimhen scored a crucial goal to restore his team’s aggregate advantage, and Barış Alper Yılmaz sealed qualification with a late strike.
Although Juventus earned a memorable win under difficult circumstances, it was Galatasaray who ultimately advanced. Juventus’ determined display with ten men earned widespread praise, despite their elimination from the competition.