Istanbul will be the site of a crucial Champions League knockout phase playoff first leg on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as Juventus travels to face Galatasaray at Rams Park. For Juventus, a club historically accustomed to deeper runs in the competition, the match represents a significant hurdle in their quest to return to the Round of 16 – a stage they haven’t consistently reached in recent years.
The Bianconeri’s recent Champions League record has been underwhelming. Since reaching the quarterfinal in the 2018/2019 season, Juventus has consistently fallen short of expectations, often exiting in the Round of 16. Last season saw them fail to even reach the knockout stages, finishing third in their group. A previous attempt to navigate the playoff round in the 2022/2023 season ended in defeat against PSV Eindhoven. The 2023/2024 campaign saw Juventus sidelined from Champions League competition entirely due to a prior sanction.
Galatasaray presents a formidable challenge. Juventus’s historical record against the Turkish side in the Champions League is far from dominant, with only one win in their last six encounters, alongside three draws and two losses. This unfavorable head-to-head record adds to the pressure on Luciano Spalletti’s squad.
Spalletti acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead, stating, “We know the difficulties that we face because we have watched Galatasaray’s matches. They are a strong team and we come here with the merit to play this match.” The Juventus manager’s comments underscore the respect his team has for their opponent and the importance of securing a positive result in the first leg.
Juventus enters the match grappling with inconsistent form. They secured only one victory in their last five outings across all competitions, culminating in a scoreless draw against Monaco that relegated them to this playoff round. This recent dip in performance raises concerns about their ability to overcome a motivated Galatasaray side riding a four-game winning streak.
The atmosphere at Rams Park is expected to be particularly hostile, providing Galatasaray with a significant home advantage. The Turkish club will be looking to capitalize on this fervent support and leverage their recent momentum to gain a lead heading into the second leg in Turin on February 25th.
A win for Juventus in Istanbul would be a substantial boost, providing a crucial cushion before the return leg. Any margin of victory would mean they only need a draw at the Allianz Stadium to advance. However, a draw itself leaves the tie delicately balanced, as away goals are no longer used as a tiebreaker. A loss would place Juventus under immense pressure to deliver a strong performance in the second leg to avoid another disappointing Champions League exit.
The lineups suggest both teams are fielding strong starting elevens. Galatasaray will likely feature a potent attack led by Victor Osimhen, supported by Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan. Juventus will counter with a lineup including Jonathan David, Weston McKennie, and Manuel Locatelli. The midfield battle between these two sides will be critical in dictating the flow of the game.
CBS Sports’ Francesco Porzio predicts a Juventus victory, forecasting a 2-1 scoreline in favor of the Italian side. However, Porzio also acknowledges the challenging environment Juventus will face in Istanbul, highlighting the difficulty of securing a positive result away from home.
The stakes are high for both clubs. For Juventus, this playoff represents a chance to salvage their Champions League campaign and restore their reputation as a European powerhouse. For Galatasaray, it’s an opportunity to extend their involvement in the competition and potentially make a statement on the continental stage. The first leg at Rams Park promises to be a captivating encounter, with both teams fully aware of what’s on the line.
The match is scheduled for at 3:00 PM ET and will be streamed live on Paramount+. Fans will be keenly watching to see if Juventus can overcome their recent struggles and navigate this challenging playoff tie, or if Galatasaray will prove to be too strong on home soil.
