Juventus traveled to Turkey today to face Galatasaray in the first leg of the Champions League round of 32. Galatasaray started the game with the fair share of the ball, as they looked to score at home. However, they wouldn’t be able to do so not being able to create a lot of real chances.

This was until the 15th minute, when Juventus turned the ball over deep in their own half from in the 15th minute. This led to Gabriel Sara being found open in the box to finish it away to the bottom corner. Juventus would respond straight away however, as a Andrea Cambiaso cross, found Pierre Kalulu who gave Koopmeiners an empty net to finish.

Juventus wouldn’t stop there however, as they looked to give themselves the lead away from home. Koopmeiners was able to find a second goal for Juventus. This came after Weston Mckennie freed him up with a 1-2 which gave him room to finish at the edge of the box.

Galatasaray would look to respond, before the end of the half but would fail to find a goal. This is despite Glieson Bremer coming off due to injury in the 33rd minute. However, they would be able to in the second half as Noa Lang would finish a rebound from Michele Di Gregorio in the six yard box to equalise in the 49th minute.

But, Galatasaray didn’t just want a draw at home instead wanted to win before travelling to Turin. This led to them pressing for a third goal, which they would find. Juan Cabal gave away a free kick at the edge of the Galatasary box, which was sent in and headed home by Davison Sanchez.

Juventus would push to equalise after the goal, creating a few quick chances, and a couple of corners as they aimed to tie the game ahead of the second leg. However, Juventus would only make it harder for themselves as in the 66th minute Juan Cabal would receive his second yellow card and be sent off, after coming on at halftime.

Juventus would struggle down to 10 men as Galatasaray kept on pushing in the second half. There high press found another goal for Noa Lang in the 74th minute, after Khepren Thuram turned over the ball in his own box, and the goal was an easy finish. Galatasaray wouldn’t stop there as Sacha Boey would find a fifth after coming off the bench in the 83rd minute. This would see the game end with Juventus needing to win by three goals in Turin to advance.

Juventus are set to travel to Istanbul to kickoff their champions league, to kickoff their knockout journey. Today’s game will be the first leg of the round of 32, in the Champions League. Juventus have the chance to pull out a win to give themselves a rest at home next week.

The Bianconeri are coming in to this game, with a chip on their shoulder after losing to Inter 3-2 in the Derby d’Italia.  Multiple people inside of Turin believe that Juventus were wronged, due to referring mistakes. Luciano Spalletti will hope to channel this anger into a big away win for the Bianconeri.

The last time the two teams faced was in the group stages in 2013. Juventus and Galatasaray tied at home, while Juventus suffered a one-nil defeat away in Istanbul. There is a real chance of this happening again, as this Gala side are no pushovers being first in the Turkish League.

Juventus will also being facing previous rivals, with Victor Osimhen and Noa Lang expected to start for the homeside. Both players are former Napoli players who have faced Juventus in league matches. Osimhen was the more successful name for Napoli spending for years in Naples, but he only ever scored two goals against Juventus.

Predicted Lineup: Juventus (4-2-3-1)

Michele Di Gregorio

Pierre Kalulu, Glieson Bremer, Lloyd Kelly, Andrea Cambiaso

Manuel Locatelli, Khepren Thuram

Francisco Conceição, Fabio Miretti, Kenan Yildiz

Weston McKennie.

Juventus are forced to make a change as striker Jonathan David won’t travel to Istanbul due to injury. Weston Mckennie is expected to play as a false nine in his place, with Khepren Thuram returning to the midfield. Pierre Kalulu will start once again, before missing Saturday’s game against Como due to a red card.

Napoli hosted Roma today, in the key Sunday night fixture of Serie A game week 25. This game was a crucial match for both teams as they are both aiming to try and finish in a top four, Champions League spot, last they were separated by only three points pregame, with only Juventus between the two teams.

Roma started the game off the game on the front foot looking to score away from home early. They managed to do so on a counter attack as Gianluca Mancini, played Bryan Zaragoza, who found Donyell Malen on the edge of the six yard box. Malen finished first time with his shot being two quick for Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

However, Napoli wouldn’t go down easily as Napoli looked to tie the game. They upped the pressure on Roma’s goal but would fail to find a break. This was until the ball fell to Leonardo Spinazzola in the 40th minute. Spinazzola tried a low driven shot from 20 yards out to force a save out of Mile Svilar, instead his shot was deflected over Svilar equalising for Napoli.

Both teams came out aggressive to start the second half looking for the next goal to shift the game. Roma made an attacking change bringing on a slightly injured Matias Soule early than expected. This helped Roma, going forward but wouldn’t lead to any goals for the Giallorossi, as the game stayed even at 1-1.

This was until the 68th minute mark, when Wesley would break free for Roma from the left side and get onto the box. He collided legs with Amir Rrahmani chasing him, who tripped and bought down Wesley in the box for a penalty. Roma would capitalise, as Donyell Malen would smash it top right to complete his brace.

Napoli however, wouldn’t let the game go easily as they pressed on for a result going more attacking. This led to Conte brining on two of his summer signings from the bench, Alisson Santos and Giovane Nascimento. This would benefit Napoli, as a poor clearance from Tsimkias led to Giovane faking a shot and passing it to Santos who curled a finish into the bottom left from the edge of the box to equalise the game in the 82nd minute.

Player Ratings

The Best:

Donyell Malen – 8: Donyell Malen continued his stellar start for Roma, bagging a brace for the second game in a row. His first goal was perfect running making and finishing to stick it past Milinkovic-Savic as he nearly was caught offside. He didn’t create the penalty for the second goal, but he finished it with power and precision.

Leonardo Spinazzola – 7.5: Leonardo Spinazzola was Napoli’s best player today as he dominated his flank in both halves of the game for Napoli. He was key in progressing play not being afraid to cut inside and create chances for the home side. This is what lead to his opening goal for Napoli from the edge of the box.

Wesley – 7: Rumours circulated midweek of Manchester City making a 50 million bid for Wesley. He lived up to these standards today as he was they key processor of the ball for Roma, as they aimed for an away win. He also was key in winning the penalty and it was a shame to see him go down injured for Roma.

The worst:

Amir Rrahmani – 5: Amir Rrahmani was Napoli worst centre back today as he often looked lost during the game. He struggled for a sense of positioning in today’s game, which allowed Wesley to blow past him to win a penalty. He also failed to contain Donyell Malen for majority of the 90 minutes, but it is a difficult feat.

Bryan Cristante – 5: Bryan Cristante looked like a traffic cone for Roma in today’s game. He had some good defensive contributions, but he wasn’t involved in the attack as much as he should have been. It seems like Gianluca Mancini did all of his attacking duties who could have also been in the best player ratings.

Matteo Politano – 4.5: Matteo Politano struggled today, as he is slowly recovering from injury for Napoli. However, that is no excuse for how isolated he left Rasmus Hojlund today, as Rasmus looked to hold up the play as he has done so well. The problem was the support didn’t come from either of Napoli’s attacking midfielders.