Galatasaray 5-2 Juventus Player Ratings: Cimbom Run Riot as the Old Lady Suffer Humiliating Loss

Relentless pressure, sharp movement, and pure attacking intent turned this Champions League night into a one-sided spectacle. The home side, Galatasaray, ran riot against a stunned Juventus in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase 1st leg. The hosts dominated the game, controlling 62% possession, firing 22 shots to Juventus’ seven, and racking up a massive 2.96 xG compared to just 1.13 for the visitors.

The match exploded into life early on. Gabriel Sara opened the scoring for the hosts before Teun Koopmeiners instantly replied for the visitors. The game was breathtaking, a true end-to-end spectacle. However, the real turning point came after the break.

Noa Lang’s equalizer just after halftime seemed to break Juventus's spirit. From there, it was one-way traffic. The visitors' discipline crumbled, culminating in a red card for substitute Juan Cabal, which opened the floodgates for a rampant run away with the match and took a huge step towards the next round. Here are Sportsdunia's Galatasaray vs Juventus player ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Galatasaray’s midfield dominance, led by a sensational Gabriel Sara, completely overwhelmed Juventus after halftime.
• Juventus lost control both tactically and emotionally, with defensive errors and a costly red card sealing their downfall.
• Noa Lang’s clinical finishing turned momentum into a landslide, transforming a tight contest into a rout.

Galatasaray Player Ratings vs Juventus

Check out the Galatasaray player ratings against Juventus.

Goalkeeper

Uğurcan Çakır - 6.0: He conceded two goals, but in fairness, there was very little he could do about either of them. Made a crucial save from a close-range header in the first half. Otherwise, it was a surprisingly quiet evening for him despite the scoreline, a testament to his team's dominance.

Defenders

Ismail Jakobs - 6.5: A solid and steady performance on the left. He was defensively responsible before being substituted late on. Didn't venture forward as much as we'd like, but he did his job without any fuss.

Davinson Sánchez - 8.0: A colossal performance from the Colombian. He was an absolute rock at the back, making 3 crucial interceptions and winning his duels. To top it all off, he popped up with the vital go-ahead goal, a real leader's contribution when his team needed it.

Roland Sallai - 6.5: Played in a deeper role and adapted reasonably well. He was a bit clumsy at times, committing 3 fouls, but his 4 interceptions show he was reading the game well. He did miss a golden opportunity, which docks his rating slightly, but it was a decent shift out of position.

Abdülkerim Bardakcı - 7.0: The captain led by example during his time on the pitch. He was strong in the air, winning most of his aerial battles, and even tested the keeper with a header. Looked composed and assured before being tactically substituted.

Midfielders

Gabriel Sara - 9.5: Simply breathtaking. Our highest-rated player and the undisputed Man of the Match. He was the architect of everything good for Galatasaray, orchestrating the play from start to finish. A goal, an assist, and an unbelievable 7 key passes. It was a midfield masterclass that Juventus had no answer for.

Yunus Akgün - 7.0: Incredibly lively and energetic during his 70 minutes. He was a constant threat, registering 3 shots and always looking to run at his man. His directness caused problems for the Juve backline before he made way for a substitute.

Lucas Torreira - 7.5: The heart and soul of the midfield. We noticed him everywhere, breaking up play and recycling possession with incredible efficiency. His 94% pass accuracy and 7 ball recoveries highlight his importance. He did the unglamorous work to perfection, allowing the attacking players to shine.

Barış Alper Yılmaz - 7.5: A real workhorse performance. He was a complete nightmare for the opposition, drawing a staggering 6 fouls and winning 9 of his duels. His relentless pressing and energy set the tone for the team's aggressive style.

Noa Lang - 9.0: Absolutely clinical. His two goals were the difference-makers. The first, right after halftime, completely changed the momentum of the game. The second was a sublime finish that put the game to bed.

Forwards

Victor Osimhen - 7.0: He may not have found the net himself, but his contribution was immense. Provided an assist and was a constant physical menace, occupying defenders and creating space for his teammates. His hold-up play was excellent, bringing others into the game effectively.

Substitutes

Leroy Sané - 6.5: Came on for Akgün and kept the pressure on the tired Juventus defence.

Wilfried Singo - N/A: Didn't have enough time to make a significant impact.

Mauro Icardi - N/A: Brought on late to see the game out.

Eren Elmali - N/A: A late substitution with the game already won.

Sacha Boey - 8.0: What an introduction! Came on and scored a spectacular goal almost immediately. An instant and unforgettable impact from the bench.

Manager

O. Buruk - 8.5: Got his tactics spot on. His team was aggressive, organized, and ruthless in attack. His substitutions were perfect, particularly the introduction of Sacha Boey who scored moments after coming on. A huge European night and a massive tactical win for the Galatasaray boss.

Juventus Player Ratings vs Galatasaray

Here are the Juventus player ratings for the Galatasaray vs Juventus match.

Goalkeeper

Michele Di Gregorio - 4.5: An utterly miserable night for the keeper. He conceded five goals, and while he made 4 saves, he looked completely exposed. His confidence seemed to drain away with every goal conceded. A night he'll want to forget immediately.

Defenders

Bremer - 5.0: Looked unsettled and was struggling to cope with Galatasaray's fluid attack before his night was cut short by injury. It was a tough 34 minutes for him. You have to feel for a player forced off so early.

Lloyd Kelly - 4.0: A performance to forget. He was credited with an error that led to a goal and looked completely out of his depth. Part of a defensive unit that was systematically dismantled. His positioning was questionable all evening.

Pierre Kalulu - 5.0: He battled hard, winning 5 duels, but was ultimately overwhelmed. Also missed a big chance that could have changed things early on. It's tough to give a defender a good rating after shipping five goals, and he was no exception.

Andrea Cambiaso - 5.5: Lasted only 45 minutes. He picked up an early yellow card and failed to make any real impression on the game. Hooked at halftime, which tells you everything you need to know about his performance.

Midfielders

Manuel Locatelli - 5.0: As the captain, he needed to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, but he was completely anonymous. The midfield battle was lost, and he lost possession 15 times. A really poor showing when his team needed leadership.

Teun Koopmeiners - 8.0: The one shining light in a sea of darkness for Juventus. He scored both of his team's goals and was the only player who looked consistently threatening. He fought a lone battle with real quality and deserves immense credit for his individual display.

Khéphren Thuram - 5.5: Largely invisible. He was a passenger in midfield, offering neither defensive security nor attacking impetus. His substitution was unsurprising as he simply wasn't affecting the game in any positive way.

Forwards

Francisco Conceição - 6.0: Had a few bright moments in the first half and showed glimpses of his dribbling ability. However, he faded badly and was eventually substituted.

Kenan Yıldız - 6.0: He tried to make things happen and completed 4 dribbles, but a crucial error leading to a goal is a major blot on his copybook. The talent is there, but the costly mistake was damaging.

Weston McKennie - 6.5: Provided a good assist and worked hard, as he always does. However, he was part of an attack that looked disjointed and ineffective for large periods. His effort can't be faulted, but the end product wasn't there.

Substitutes

Federico Gatti - 5.0: Came on for the injured Bremer and couldn't stem the tide. The defence was just as porous with him in it.

Juan Cabal - 2.0: A disastrous cameo. Came on at halftime, got a yellow card, and then received a second yellow for a foolish foul, getting himself sent off. His indiscipline killed any chance of a comeback.

Filip Kostic - 5.5: Added some energy but couldn't change the course of the game.

Fabio Miretti - N/A: Not enough time to make an impact.

Loïs Openda - N/A: A late change with the game long gone.

Manager

L. Spalletti - 4.0: His team was completely outplayed and outfought. They looked tactically naive, collapsing under pressure in the second half. The team showed no resilience, and his substitutions failed to have a positive impact. A dreadful night at the office for the Italian manager.

Man of the Match

Gabriel Sara was the man of the match.

Worst Performer

Juan Cabal was the worst performer.