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Galatasaray produced a stunning second-half display to overwhelm Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout round playoff, turning a halftime deficit into a commanding three-goal advantage.
The Turkish giants trailed 2-1 at the break but scored three goals after the interval, exploiting a Juventus side that collapsed after defender Juan Cabal received a second yellow card in the 67th minute.
Galatasaray set the tone early at home, with Gabriel Sara finishing a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner in the 15th minute. The lead lasted barely 60 seconds, however, as Teun Koopmeiners equalized for Juventus with a right-footed strike after Michele Di Gregorio had initially saved a Pierre Kalulu header.
Koopmeiners then put the Italian side ahead in the 32nd minute, converting a left-footed shot from the centre of the box after Weston McKennie found him with a through ball on the counter-attack. A first-half injury to Juventus defender Bremer, who was replaced by Federico Gatti, offered an early sign of the difficulties ahead for the visitors.
Galatasaray needed just four minutes after the restart to draw level. Baris Alper Yilmaz forced a save from Di Gregorio, and Noa Lang was on hand to tap in from close range in the 49th minute.
The Dutch winger's equalizer shifted the momentum decisively. Davinson Sanchez headed Galatasaray into the lead for the second time in the 60th minute, meeting a Gabriel Sara set-piece delivery from close range to make it 3-2.
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The match turned further in Galatasaray's favor when Cabal, already booked for a foul on Baris Alper Yilmaz in the 59th minute, received his marching orders just eight minutes later for another challenge on the same player. Down to 10 men, Juventus had no answer.
Lang added his second of the night in the 74th minute with a right-footed finish from the centre of the box, before substitute Sacha Boey, who had been on the pitch for just three minutes, completed the rout with a superb strike into the top left corner from the right side of the area in the 86th minute.
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk introduced Mauro Icardi and Leroy Sane from the bench in the second half as the hosts pressed their numerical advantage, while Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti turned to Lois Openda and Fabio Miretti in a futile attempt to stem the bleeding.
The result leaves Galatasaray in a commanding position ahead of the second leg in Turin, with Juventus now facing the daunting task of overturning a three-goal deficit to keep their Champions League campaign alive.
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