Luciano Spalletti admires the ‘incandescent’ Galatasaray atmosphere and ‘complete striker’ Victor Osimhen, but explains how Weston McKennie can be an effective Juventus centre-forward.
It kicks off at the Ali Semi Yen in Istanbul at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).
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This is the first leg of the play-off for a place in the Champions League Round of 16, and the second is on Wednesday February 25.
Spalletti makes Juventus changes in Istanbul
SASSUOLO, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, celebrates his team’s third goal, scored by Jonathan David during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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“Everything seems incandescent, like it’s ready to burn,” said Spalletti on Sky Sport Italia looking around the legendary stadium.
“What matters now is not what we want to become, but what we are now, because we need the right courage.”
The Bianconeri are still smarting from the controversial 3-2 Serie A defeat to Inter, which saw Pierre Kalulu sent off before half-time.
“My players have shown they are real men, who become a real team, so that is the best thing a coach can ask for.
“We have already left what happened in the past, because we are challenging for our future with tonight’s game, not what happened the other day.”
PISA, ITALY – DECEMBER 27: Head coach Luciano Spalletti manager of Juventus FC looks on during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Juventus FC at Arena Garibaldi on December 27, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
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Jonathan David and Emil Holm joined Dusan Vlahovic and Arek Milik on the treatment table, but Khephren Thuram has shaken off a bruise for his return to the starting XI with McKennie unexpectedly as a False 9.
“The fundamental issue is how we press and how we emerge from their press, that is the key. Pressing limits the spaces on the pitch for the opponents and forces them to make decisions quickly,” explained the coach.
“Playing out from the press allows you to create spaces and use your quality. That’s when it all becomes crucial for the result.”
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – NOVEMBER 7: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi on November 07, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
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There are plenty of familiar faces in the Galatasaray squad, even if Mario Lemina is suspended, as ex-Napoli players Victor Osimhen and Noa Lang both start, with former Inter centre-forward Mauro Icardi on the bench.
Lucas Torreira, Wilfried Singo, Roland Sallai and Kaan Ayhan also have history in Italian football.
“Osimhen has these great flourishes of pace, determination and physicality, he is a complete striker, but we have centre-backs who can counter him,” concluded Spalletti.
No Italian team has beaten Galatasaray in Istanbul during the Champions League, as the last to win here was Milan when it was still the European Cup in 1963.
