Juventus must make history to overcome Galatasaray in play-off second leg
Juventus conceded five goals in a European match for just the second time in the club’s history with their 5-2 loss away against Galatasaray on Tuesday night, and now the Bianconeri are left needing to make history if they are to qualify for the Champions League round of 16.
Juventus’s Champions League play-off round got off to the worst possible of starts after a 5-2 thrashing in Istanbul on Tuesday evening: Teun Koopmeiners came up with a half-time brace, but the Old Lady were overwhelmed with goals from Gabriel Sara, Noa Lang (x2), Davinson Sanchez and Sacha Boey.
Gleison Bremer was forced off with an injury in the second half, and half-time substitute Juan Cabal was also sent off in the 67th minute.
Not since a 7-0 defeat against Wiener Sport-Club in the second leg of the preliminary rounds of the 1958/59 European Cup have Juventus conceded five or more goals in a European match.
What do Juventus need to do in the second leg of the Champions League play-off?
Juventus are left needing a three-goal victory at a minimum if they are to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League round of 16 alive. Even more damning for the Bianconeri and their hopes of progressing is previous the precedent set by Lazio, Inter and Roma.
There has only ever been four times previously that an Italian side has conceded five goals or more in the first of a two-legged European tie. Those results were as follows:
- Valencia 5-2 Lazio 1999-2000 (Champions League)
- Inter 2-5 Schalke 2010-11 (Champions League)
- Liverpool 5-2 Roma 2017-18 (Champions League)
- Manchester United 6-2 Roma 2020-21 (Europa League)
On all four of those previous occasions, the Italian sides were knocked out in the second leg.