What Happened Juventus will face Galatasaray in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul. The match is set to kick off at 17:45 GMT (18:45 CET). Juventus has adopted a surprising False 9 formation, with Weston McKennie leading the attack, flanked by Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao. This strategic shift comes after a controversial 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan in Serie A, where coach Luciano Spalletti has taken over from Igor Tudor. Why It Matters This match marks the first knockout round meeting between Galatasaray and Juventus in the UEFA Champions League, although they have faced each other six times previously, with Galatasaray winning once and drawing three times. Juventus has struggled in away matches against Galatasaray, failing to win in their last three encounters on Turkish soil. Galatasaray, on the other hand, has a strong record at home against Italian teams, remaining unbeaten in their last eight home matches in the Champions League knockout stages. What’s Next The second leg of the play-off will take place on February 25. Both teams will be looking to secure a place in the Round of 16, with Juventus aiming to continue their unbeaten streak under Spalletti, while Galatasaray seeks to capitalize on their home advantage. Post navigation What is the Significance of the RRB Group D 2026 Answer Key Release? Salim Khan Hospitalized: A Critical Update on the Veteran Screenwriter