Kenan Yildiz: ‘Exciting match, wow at the Galatasaray fans’

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Feb 17, 2026 12:17 PM ET

Kenan Yildiz admits it is ‘exciting’ as a Turkiye international to play Galatasaray in Istanbul, and scoring for Juventus here ‘would be a dream. All I can say about their fans is wow.’

It kicks off at the Ali Semi Yen in Istanbul at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta on the Liveblog.

This is the first leg of the play-off for a place in the Round of 16, and the second is on Wednesday February 25.

Kenan Yildiz excited by Galatasaray test

“I feel great, when you are in this stadium with these fans, it’s exciting, but we are fired up for a good performance,” Kenan Yildiz told Sky Sport Italia.

Juventus are fresh off a controversial 3-2 Serie A defeat to Inter, where Pierre Kalulu was sent off before half-time for a highly-contentious second bookable offence.

“The last match was very difficult for us after the red card, but I still think we had a great performance down to 10 men.”

TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 12: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Lecce at Allianz Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Kenan Yildiz was born and raised in Germany, then moved to Italy for Juventus as a teenager, so this is his first time playing in Istanbul as an opponent.

“We’ll do everything today to get a victory. Scoring would be a dream, but let’s play and then see. This is a very difficult match, as Galatasaray are such a great team, and all I can say about their fans is wow.”

Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella is in the stands to watch the game.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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