Former Beşiktaş and Real Sociedad striker Nihat Kahveci has launched a scathing critique of Galatasaray’s display following their dramatic 3-2 second-leg loss to Juventus on Wednesday night. While the Turkish champions successfully advanced to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 with a 7-5 aggregate victory, Kahveci argued that the result masked a systemic failure on the pitch. Speaking on the Kontraspor YouTube channel, the veteran pundit expressed deep concern over the team’s inability to manage the game, noting that the squad appeared to struggle significantly with the reintroduction of players returning from the treatment room.
Kahveci’s analysis focused specifically on the underwhelming impact of high-profile stars Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan, alongside young winger Yunus Akgün. While Akgün remained an unused substitute during the frantic encounter in Turin, Sané and Gündoğan’s presence failed to provide the stability expected of such seasoned internationals. Kahveci suggested that rather than strengthening the lineup, the inclusion of players lacking match fitness nearly cost Galatasaray their place in the tournament, as they were forced into extra time by a resilient ten-man Juventus side.
“The 90 minutes summary is that Galatasaray advanced to the next round because of the score, but they failed in their performance against Juventus,” Kahveci said. “They were on the verge of defeat. Galatasaray has problems with players returning from injury. Leroy Sane was a disappointment, İlkay Gündoğan and Yunus Akgün couldn’t return. Juventus wasn’t playing with ten men, but fifteen.”
The commentary underscores the tactical fragility that nearly led to one of the most significant collapses in recent European history. Despite entering the night with a three-goal cushion, Galatasaray conceded three unanswered goals in regulation time, only finding salvation through late extra-time strikes from Victor Osimhen and Barış Alper Yılmaz. For Kahveci, the disparity in energy and organization was so vast that it appeared as though Juventus held a numerical advantage, despite playing the majority of the second half a man down following Lloyd Kelly’s red card.
As Galatasaray prepares for a daunting Round of 16 draw against the likes of Liverpool or Tottenham, Kahveci’s warning serves as a sobering reminder of the work ahead for manager Okan Buruk. The pundit emphasized that unless the “Yellow and Reds” can successfully reintegrate their returning stars and find a consistent rhythm, their journey among Europe’s elite could be short-lived. With the Turkish press now echoing these sentiments, the pressure is on the squad to prove that the “Turin scare” was merely an anomaly rather than a symptom of a deeper decline.
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