Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg: Galatasaray vs Juventus facts

Galatasaray's first UEFA Champions League knockout campaign in 12 seasons pits them against Juventus in Istanbul in the first leg of their knockout phase play-off tie.

The Turkish team progressed to the knockout rounds for the first time since 2013/14 by finishing 20th in the league phase on ten points (W3 D1 L4); Juventus reached this stage for the second season running with 13 points (W3 D4 L1) to finish 13th.

Last match

All six of the teams' previous meetings came in the group stage, Galatasaray winning two matches to Juve's one. This is the clubs' first fixture since 2013, a 2-2 draw in Turin preceding a 1-0 home victory in Istanbul that took Galatasaray into the round of 16 at Juve's expense.

Galatasaray are unbeaten in their three home fixtures against Juventus (W2 D1).

This is only the second two legged European Cup tie between Turkish and Italian clubs, the first Galatasaray's 1-8 defeat by AC Milan in the 1962/63 quarter finals.

Galatasaray have lost only three of their last 17 matches against Italian teams (W7 D7), most recently taking four points off Lazio in the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League group stage (1-0 h, 0-0 a).

Cimbon are unbeaten in 11 home matches against Italian visitors (W7 D4), since a 1-3 loss to Milan in the first leg of that 1962/63 tie.

Galatasaray lost 2-4 on aggregate to Lazio in the 2015/16 Europa League round of 32 to make it three defeats in four knockout ties against Serie A sides.

Juventus have lost only two of their ten matches against Turkish opposition (W5 D3) – both to Galatasaray.

Juve's last game against Turkish opposition was also their sole knockout tie, a 4-0 aggregate defeat of Trabzonspor in the 2013/14 Europa League round of 32 (2-0 h, 2-0 a).

Galatasaray

This is Galatasaray's 19th participation in the Champions League proper – more than every other Turkish club combined – but only a second in six seasons after 2023/24. This is the first time in six campaigns they have progressed from the group stage/league phase.

The Istanbul club lost 2-4 on aggregate to Young Boys in last season's qualifying play-offs, going on to finish 14th in the league phase of the Europa League before being eliminated by AZ Alkmaar in the knockout phase play-offs.

Juventus 

Juventus are making their 25th appearance in the Champions League proper – extending their Italian record.

The Bianconeri were 20th in last season's league phase (W3 D3 L2), losing to PSV Eindhoven in the knockout phase play-offs (2-1 h, 1-3 a aet).

Key stats

Galatasaray midfielder Mario Lemina played for Juventus between 2015 and 2017, making 42 appearances.

Galatasaray have won only one of their four Champions League knockout ties, 4-3 on aggregate against Schalke in the 2012/13 round of 16 (1-1 h, 3-2 a).

This is Galatasaray's 200th European Cup match – the first Turkish team to reach that total. They also need two goals to become the first Turkish team to reach 250 in the competition.

Galatasaray have lost only one of their last nine home European matches (W5 D3) – 0-1 against Union Saint-Gilloise on Matchday 5.

Gala's 2-0 Matchday 8 loss at Manchester City made it four Champions League games without a win (D1 L3) and three victories in their last 14 European matches (D5 L6).

Juventus are in the knockout phase for the tenth time in 12 seasons and the 20th overall.

The Italian side have lost their last five knockout ties, since a comeback win against Atlético de Madrid in the 2018/19 round of 16 (0-2 a, 3-0 h).

Juve's 0-0 Matchday 8 draw at Monaco made it five Champions League games unbeaten (W3 D2) and three successive clean sheets.

The Bianconeri have lost two of their last nine away European games (W2 D5).

Juventus have not lost the first leg in any of their last six European ties (W3 D3).