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Two days after Juventus\u2019 less-than-stellar showing in Monaco meant the Bianconeri were destined for the Champions League play-off round, Luciano Spalletti and the rest of his squad found out who they will face in their attempt to keep their European campaign going beyond the middle of February.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Juventus will face a Galatasaray squad that they haven\u2019t faced since that ill-fated trip to Turkey when Antonio Conte was still manager in Turin in the 2013 Champions League group stage. We don\u2019t know what the snow forecast may end up being a few weeks from now, but the fact that Juventus will have to make a trip to Turkey in the latter days of winter aren\u2019t exactly the most reassuring thing when you remember what happened the last time they headed to Istanbul. Juventus, thanks to their 13th-place finish in the league phase,<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Galatasaray finished in 20th place in the UCL league phase. They concluded the league phase with a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in England. Galatasaray are currently top of the Turkish Super Lig, with a striker that Spalletti knows quite well, former Napoli man Victor Osimhen, scoring six goals in six games in the league phase.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The winner between Juventus and Galatasaray will face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the Champions League Round of 16. While struggling in the Premier League this season, Liverpool finished third in the league phase table. Tottenham have struggled even more domestically, but under-fire manager Thomas Frank guided his side to a fourth-place finish in the league phase table.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The first leg of the play-off round will take place on either Feb. 17 or Feb. 18 in Istanbul. The return leg will take place a week later in Turin on Feb. 24 or Feb. 25. Dates for the two legs of the play-off round are still being finalized as of this writing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Here is what Juventus CEO Damien Comolli had to say about the play-off draw:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u201cWe knew before the draw that, regardless of the opponent, it would be tough. It\u2019ll be exciting to go to Istanbul; we\u2019ll find an incredible atmosphere at the stadium. We\u2019ll be facing players who are used to this type of match in the Champions League, who know the competition well and also know Juventus well. It will be a very close match; we\u2019re happy to play the second leg at home, and I don\u2019t think there\u2019s a clear favourite: they\u2019ll be two exciting matches.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\nAnd here is what Juventus Director of Football Strategy Giorgio Chiellini \u2014 who was obviously part of the team that last faced Galatasaray in 2013 \u2014 had to say about the draw:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ll have to be good at going to that stadium and playing our game. Then there\u2019s the return leg, but it will be crucial to play a great game in Turkey because Galatasaray is a strong team, and our job will be to try to hit them where they\u2019re weak. At the same time, we\u2019ll respect their quality because they have important players in all areas, but we\u2019ll also have to be aware of our own strengths. We\u2019ll have to be mature and play like Juventus. Osimhen? He\u2019s a strong striker who attacks deep, and he has a rare hunger that few players see. It will be a good test to see how much we\u2019ve improved.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\nA very important note for Juventus when it comes to how the schedule shakes out: Spalletti\u2019s squad is set to face Serie A leaders Inter Milan the weekend before the first leg of the play-off round, which is currently scheduled for Feb. 15 but will likely be moved up based on the both clubs having mid-week fixtures just a couple of days later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n