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Monday, December 9, 2013

Do or Die Match for Galatasaray !



Win against Juventus on Tuesday will be good enough for Galatasaray to join Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League but coach Roberto Mancini knows it is not going to be easy.

A 4-1 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu a fortnight ago left the Turkish giants third in Group B, two points adrift of second-place Juventus heading into the decider at a sold-out Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul.

Galatasaray are level on four points with Copenhagen but have a better goal-difference against the Danes, who host already-qualified Real Madrid in the other pool game.

"We have all to play for and we need to be calm and show focus."

"We play at home and in a game, anything can happen.

"We know it's going to be a very difficult match because Juve is a very good side.

"I think if we are fortunate like we were in the first leg (a 2-2 draw in Turin - Mancini's first game in charge of Galatasaray), and we limit mistakes, then we can do well and achieve our aim."

Galatasaray are in fourth place in the Turkish Super League, will be bolstered by the return of former Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and ex-Inter Milan forward Wesley Sneijder.

Muslera returned to action in Friday's 2-0 triumph against Elazigspor after being sidelined with a fractured toe since October 31.

Sneijder, meanwhile, has been out for a month with a recurring thigh injury but is set to play in support of lone striker Didier Drogba against Juve.

Juve's 3-1 triumph against Copenhagen on November 27 was the Italian champions' first win in the competition this season.

More importantly, it allowed Antonio Conte's men to keep their destiny entirely in their own hands heading into the final group game.

A draw in Turkey will be enough to see the Italians progress to the knockout stages.

"We cannot go there with fear but determined to win," striker Fernando Llorente said.

"If we control the game and if we give all that we have inside, then we can do it.

"Our journey in the competition has not been easy but we have recovered and we are one step away from achieving our aim."

Llorente will partner Carlos Tevez up front.

Juve warmed up for the encounter with Friday's 2-0 triumph at Bologna, their seventh straight Serie A victory. 

Galatasaray's Drogba and company will have the last word on the pitch with the help of 12th men in the stands ! 


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