Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray seized control of their Champions League play-off ties on 17 February 2026 with commanding first-leg performances, as Serhou Guirassy inspired a 2-0 win over Atalanta while the Turkish champions dismantled 10-man Juventus 5-2 in Istanbul.
Both sides now carry significant advantages into their respective second legs on 25 February 2026.
Guirassy at the double for Dortmund
At Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund overcame a delayed start — their team bus was caught in traffic, pushing kick-off back by 15 minutes — to produce an efficient display against Italian visitors Atalanta.
They required only three minutes to break the deadlock. Julian Ryerson delivered a precise cross to the back post, where Guirassy rose to head home and settle any early nerves.
The German side doubled their advantage in the 42nd minute, again through Guirassy’s influence. Showing pace and composure on the left, he squared perfectly for Max Beier, who bundled the ball over the line from close range.
Dortmund, recording their 100th victory in Europe’s elite competition, managed just two shots on target — both resulting in goals. Despite seeing less possession, they controlled proceedings, with Atalanta restricted largely to speculative efforts that failed to trouble Gregor Kobel.
Julian Brandt could have added a third midway through the second half but blazed over from eight yards after a corner fell kindly to him.
The return leg in Bergamo will decide who advances to face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the last 16.
Galatasaray run riot in Istanbul
Earlier in the evening at Rams Park, Galatasaray delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the round, overwhelming Juventus 5-2 in a pulsating contest.
Gabriel Sara opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a thunderous strike from distance, though Juventus responded almost immediately through Teun Koopmeiners, who converted a rebound after Pierre Kalulu’s header had been saved.
Koopmeiners added a second in the 32nd minute to give the visitors the lead, but the momentum shifted dramatically after the interval.
Noa Lang equalised shortly after the restart, before Davinson Sanchez turned in a pinpoint Sara set-piece to restore Galatasaray’s advantage on the hour mark.
Juventus’ task became even harder in the 67th minute when substitute Juan Cabal received a second yellow card, reducing Luciano Spalletti’s side to 10 men.
Galatasaray capitalised ruthlessly. Victor Osimhen provided a sublime assist for Lang’s second goal in the 75th minute, and later set up substitute Sacha Boey to complete the scoring in the 86th minute.
The Turkish side now travel to Turin on 25 February 2026 with a commanding three-goal cushion.
