Galatasaray is meticulously preparing for its upcoming Champions League play-off clash against Juventus, with head coach Okan Buruk devising a specific strategy to neutralize the threat posed by Italian forward Kenan Yıldız. The plan centers around deploying Sacha Boey, recently returned to the team, to directly mark and contain Yıldız’s influence.
Galatasaray currently leads the Turkish Super Lig, having secured a 3-0 victory away against Rizespor. The team faces Eyüpspor in a domestic fixture before hosting Juventus on , a match Buruk recognizes as crucial for their European ambitions. Buruk tasked match and performance analyst Serhat Doğan with scouting Juventus’s recent 2-2 draw against Lazio in Serie A to inform his tactical approach.
The decision to assign Boey the responsibility of containing Yıldız underscores the importance Galatasaray places on disrupting Juventus’s attacking flow. Boey, who spent this season with Bayern Munich making 15 appearances and contributing one assist, has been working on a specialized program to regain peak form. He’s reportedly dedicating significant effort to studying Yıldız’s playing style, essentially memorizing his tendencies.
The tactical adjustments extend beyond a one-on-one marking assignment. Roland Sallai, who has excelled in a right-back role due to recent team absences, will transition to a more attacking position. This shift is designed to provide additional offensive support while still leveraging Sallai’s strengths.
Midfield configuration will also be impacted by a suspension. With Mario Lemina unavailable for the Juventus match, the central midfield pairing will consist of Lucas Torreira and Kerem Sara. Sallai is expected to provide defensive cover and pressing support to this duo, creating a robust and dynamic midfield unit.
Boey’s return to the squad is particularly timely, as he has been undergoing intensive training to address areas for improvement. Despite limited playing time at Bayern Munich – totaling 630 minutes on the pitch – he is working closely with Buruk and his coaching staff, alongside his individual study of Yıldız. Sources indicate Boey is preparing as if he will be a starter in both legs of the Champions League play-off.
The focus on Yıldız highlights his growing importance to Juventus. Buruk’s proactive approach demonstrates a clear understanding of the Italian side’s key strengths and vulnerabilities. The Galatasaray coaching staff believes that effectively neutralizing Yıldız will significantly diminish Juventus’s attacking threat.
Galatasaray’s preparation isn’t solely focused on defense. The tactical adjustments, including Sallai’s shift to a more attacking role, suggest a desire to maintain an offensive balance. The team will aim to exploit any weaknesses in the Juventus defense while simultaneously containing their star forward.
The upcoming matches against Juventus represent a significant challenge for Galatasaray. Success in the Champions League play-off round would be a major step forward for the club’s European ambitions and Buruk’s meticulous planning, particularly the focus on containing Kenan Yıldız with Sacha Boey, reflects the high stakes involved.
