Despite being behind 5-2 going into their Champions League second leg, former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli thinks Juventus can still pull off a spectacular comeback against Galatasaray.
Following their loss in Istanbul last week, when Victor Osimhen was instrumental, the Bianconeri will have a difficult task in Turin.
To force extra time, Juventus needs to win by three goals, and to advance outright, they need to win by four.
Osimhen recorded two assists and had an impact on three goals despite not scoring in the first leg.
The Nigerian forward encouraged his teammates to go harder as Galatasaray increased their lead, with Juventus down 3-2 and down to ten men.
The Super Eagles striker, Nigeria’s all-time Champions League goalscorer with 15, has six goals and two assists in seven European games this season.
He also has an impressive personal record versus Juventus, with two goals and four assists in eight encounters.
Prandelli, who formerly led Galatasaray, believes limiting Osimhen is critical to any comeback attempt.
“Galatasaray at the Ali Sami Yen are one team, away from home they’re another: there’s a huge gap,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It will be difficult for Juventus to overturn the 5-2 first-leg deficit, but not impossible. History is full of epic comebacks, the Bianconeri must believe and try.”
He added: “Scoring three or four goals against Osimhen and his teammates without conceding will be difficult, but after the first half in Istanbul, who would have imagined Galatasaray scoring three goals in 45 minutes against the Bianconeri?
“Spalletti’s team can do it, why not? If you take the lead in the first twenty minutes, then the psychological aspect changes.”
Juventus has conceded 15 goals in their last five games, highlighting the enormity of the issue.
Luciano had everything sorted out, it’s hard to understand what happened in the last few games,” Prandelli said. “The impression is that the pitch is lacking two or three players with character.”
Osimhen, who missed Galatasaray’s weekend league defeat through injury, is expected to return for the decisive clash.
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