Juventus were left wondering what might have been after coming agonisingly close to a remarkable comeback against Galatasaray, eventually crashing out of the UEFA Champions League 7-5 on aggregate despite a heroic effort with 10 men.

Few gave Juve any hope of reaching the last 16 following last week’s nightmare in Istanbul, where a defensive collapse saw the Italians fall 5-2 behind in the tie. Facing a near-impossible task, Massimiliano Allegri’s men needed something extraordinary to keep their European dream alive.

What followed at the Allianz Stadium was as stirring as it was heartbreaking.

Goals from Manuel Locatelli, Federico Gatti and Weston McKennie dragged the contest level on the night and forced extra time amid a deafening roar from the home crowd. Reduced to 10 men but refusing to yield, Juventus poured forward in search of one final, decisive moment.

Instead, it was Galatasaray who delivered the killer blows. Victor Osimhen and Barış Alper Yılmaz struck in extra time to end Juve’s resistance and seal the Turkish side’s passage to the next round.

The emotional toll was evident at full-time.

“I feel like crying,” admitted captain Locatelli. “All I know is that we put our souls into that match, we gave everything we had.

“We’re on the right track with the coach and I think you can see that, even if we’ve lost in our recent matches.”

Despite the elimination, the Bianconeri were applauded off by their supporters after a performance that could yet prove pivotal in their push for next season’s Champions League qualification.

Juventus currently sit fifth in Serie A, four points behind AS Roma ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash in the capital.

Club legend Giorgio Chiellini, now serving as a club official, shared the squad’s frustration but urged them to build on the performance.

“We’re upset and disappointed after the effort put in and what we showed today,” said Chiellini. “What we did today should be a starting point for the remainder of the season.”