Home FOOTBALL SPORTS UCL UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE UCL: Galatasaray Stuns 10-Man Juventus, Advances to Champions League Last 16

UCL: Galatasaray Stuns 10-Man Juventus, Advances to Champions League Last 16

Read

Juventus Vs Galatasaray
Galatasaray stuns Juventus

Galatasaray advances to Champions League last 16 for first time in 12 years after thrilling 7-5 aggregate win over 10-man Juventus.


With both teams visibly exhausted, the Bianconeri still managed to create a clear-cut opportunity in the first half of extra time...


Galatasaray made a huge upset, progressing to the Champions League last 16 for the first time in 12 years. They lost the second leg 3-2 to Juventus, but won 7-5 on aggregate.


Juventus had no choice but to start the match with high intensity and a quick tempo, given they were three goals down from the first leg. This led to an open and exciting start to the second leg, with chances for both teams early on.


After just two minutes played, a close-range header by Davinson Sánchez forced a smart stop from Mattia Perin to prevent Galatasaray from killing the tie off completely.




Less than 60 seconds later, Federico Gatti was handed a golden opportunity to start the Bianconeri fightback in earnest, but his header from inside the box flashed over the bar when he really should have hit the target.


Teun Koopmeiners was the next Juventus player to steer his header off target from a dangerous position before Perin pulled off an impressive save to deny Victor Osimhen at the other end.


Kenan Yıldız came close at the half-hour mark with a deflected effort, but the Lions had Uğurcan Çakır to thank for a superb save to keep the Turkish outfit in full control of the tie.


With less than 10 minutes remaining of the first half, Juve made a vital breakthrough after being awarded a penalty when Khéphren Thuram was brought down by Lucas Torreira.


Bianconeri captain Manuel Locatelli stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake to find the back of the net and set up a fascinating second half.


However, the Bianconeri’s momentum suddenly deflated within three minutes of the restart in dramatic circumstances after Lloyd Kelly was sent off for a reckless challenge.


The hosts fought hard and had another chance through Yıldız, whose shot flew just inches wide of the post.


Spalletti's team wouldn't give up, though. With 20 minutes left, Gatti pounced, tapping the ball home in the frenzied Allianz Stadium atmosphere.


Time was running out, but a Yıldız strike hit the post from just a few yards out, leaving Galatasaray on shaky ground.


Incredible scenes followed - the visitors' defence crumbled again in the 82nd minute, and Weston McKennie headed home from close range, levelling the tie on aggregate and sending the game into extra time.


With both teams visibly exhausted, the Bianconeri still managed to create a clear-cut opportunity in the first half of extra time when the outstanding McKennie unselfishly set up substitute Edon Zhegrova, who fired wide with the goal at his mercy.


This proved to be a very costly miss, as on the stroke of half time, Osimhen found space inside the box and struck the ball through the legs of Perin to notch his seventh UCL goal of the season, silencing the home crowd.




The Lions sealed their spot in the next round in the dying moments of extra time. A breakaway ended with Baris Alper Yilmaz scoring, and Galatasaray were through.


Galatasaray's next opponents will be either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur - the draw's on Friday.


As for Juve, it's time to move on from this heartbreak and focus on Serie A, starting with their trip to AS Roma on Sunday.




Tags :

No comments:

Leave comment here

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
Powered by Blogger.