What Happened
Juventus suffered a significant setback in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 playoffs, losing 5-2 to Galatasaray in the first leg. This defeat marks only the second time Juventus has lost a first leg of a major European knockout tie by a three-goal margin, the previous instance being against Real Madrid in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Why It Matters
Galatasaray’s victory places them in a strong position, as they have historically progressed from all 11 of their knockout ties in European competitions when winning the first leg by at least three goals. In contrast, Juventus faces a daunting challenge; historically, only four teams have successfully overturned a three-goal deficit in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.
What’s Next
Juventus must prepare for a remarkable comeback in the second leg, scheduled for February 25, 2026, at Allianz Stadium in Turin. The team will be without suspended players Andrea Cambiaso and Juan Cabal, and center back Gleison Bremer’s participation remains uncertain due to injury. Juventus has only one win in their seven encounters with Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League, which adds to the pressure as they aim to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
