Juventus suffered their first UEFA Champions League defeat under Luciano Spalletti as they were beaten 5–2 by Galatasaray in the first leg of their play-off round tie.

Back in the knockout stages for the first time since 2013/14, the hosts were eager to make a statement in front of their own supporters and began on the front foot. Inside the opening 10 minutes, Yunus Akgün came within inches of opening the scoring, his long-range effort flashing just past the post.

The breakthrough did arrive before the quarter-hour mark. Kenan Yıldız was dispossessed in his own half, allowing Gabriel Sara to pounce and drill a precise finish into the corner.

Galatasaray’s lead, however, lasted less than a minute. Uğurcan Çakır parried Pierre Kalulu’s header, but Teun Koopmeiners reacted quickest to fire home the rebound.

Both sides pushed for control thereafter. Galatasaray’s top scorer Victor Osimhen volleyed over before forcing Michele Di Gregorio into a sharp low save. Despite the hosts finishing the half strongly — Di Gregorio denying Akgün again and Roland Sallai firing over from close range — it was Juventus who went in ahead.

Koopmeiners struck again, combining cleverly with Weston McKennie before curling a superb effort into the top corner to give the visitors a 2–1 advantage at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with Galatasaray asserting themselves early — but this time with greater reward. The equaliser came when Di Gregorio could only push Barış Alper Yılmaz’s drive into the path of Noa Lang, who tapped in from close range.

Moments later, the turnaround was complete. Davinson Sánchez met Sara’s inswinging free-kick and, despite not catching it cleanly, guided his header into the corner to make it 3–2.

Juventus’ problems deepened when Juan Cabal was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Yılmaz, reducing the Bianconeri to 10 men with over 20 minutes remaining.

Galatasaray capitalised ruthlessly. A misplaced pass from Khephren Thuram put Lloyd Kelly under pressure, allowing Osimhen to nick possession and tee up Lang for his second of the night.

Substitute Mauro Icardi was introduced to rapturous applause, but it was fellow replacement Sacha Boey who applied the finishing touch, rifling in from a tight angle to cap a memorable evening.

Under Okan Buruk, Galatasaray now take a commanding three-goal cushion to Turin. Having lost just one of their last seven meetings with Juventus, belief will be high that they can finish the job.

For the Old Lady, meanwhile, just one win in their last six matches in all competitions leaves them facing the prospect of a second consecutive play-off round exit.