EXCLUSIVE | “That Juventus game will stay with me forever”
Former Galatasaray centre-back Aurelien Chedjou looked back on one of the most iconic nights in the club’s European history and assessed the new clash with Juventus, sharing his memories and analysis ahead of the Champions League showdown.
Galatasaray and Juventus last met in the Champions League group stage on 10 December 2013 at Ali Sami Yen. The match is etched into European football folklore, not only because of the result, but because of the extraordinary conditions in which it was played. Heavy snowfall quickly turned the pitch into a white sheet, the ball stopped rolling properly, and after 32 minutes the referee decided the game could not continue, postponing the remainder to the following day.
On 11 December, the teams returned to the same stadium to complete the match from where it had been stopped. With the score still 0-0 deep into the second half, Galatasaray finally broke the deadlock in the 85th minute: Didier Drogba laid the ball off cleverly, Wesley Sneijder struck low and hard, and the stadium erupted as the Turkish side claimed a historic victory and a place in the next round.
“Playing Juventus that night was unforgettable”
Chedjou, who started that famous game at the heart of Galatasaray’s defence, still feels every detail vividly:
“Playing against Juventus that night was unforgettable. The entire team’s energy was at its absolute peak. We all knew exactly what was at stake: if we beat Juventus, we would go through to the next round. There was no room for doubt, no margin for error. Then the snow came, and in a strange way, that made the whole story even more special. At some point the ball simply stopped rolling, and it became impossible to play. So we ended up spreading this decisive match across two days.”
The defender recalls how the team lived those hours between the suspension and the restart:
“The next day we went back to the stadium and, to our surprise, the stands were full again. I don’t think the Italians expected that kind of devotion. We didn’t go home; we stayed together at the hotel, fully focused. It was freezing, but the atmosphere around the pitch was electric. The fans created a wall of noise and emotion. In the end, Wesley Sneijder scored after that little touch from Didier Drogba. The stadium was boiling. For me, this is one of the most memorable games of my entire career. We beat a truly great Juventus: Tevez, Pogba, Buffon, Marchisio… all the big names you can think of.”
“Qualification chances are 50-50”
As Galatasaray prepare to meet Juventus again on the European stage, Chedjou believes the tie is finely balanced:
“For me, it’s 50-50. Galatasaray have a squad full of quality, with players like Osimhen, Leroy Sané and several others at a very high level. On the other side, Juventus have lost some of their old consistency and aura in recent years. I mean no disrespect, but they no longer have those huge star names who can single-handedly change the course of a game. The team is less glamorous now.”
He also points to instability on the Italian side’s bench:
“Juventus have changed coach three or four times in a short period, which shows that their long-term football project still isn’t clearly settled. Galatasaray, in contrast, have had the same head coach for about three to four years, and he’s doing an excellent job. That continuity matters. Tactically, in the dressing room, in the way players understand each other – all that is shaped by stability. That’s why I see the tie as genuinely even.”
The only clear advantage Chedjou identifies for Juventus is the second leg on home soil, but even that, he says, can be neutralised:
“Yes, playing the return match at home is an advantage for Juventus on paper. But Turkish supporters are everywhere, especially across Europe. Galatasaray will not feel alone, even away. Their fans can turn any stadium into a cauldron, and that passion can weigh heavily in key moments.”
“Galatasaray’s defence is a real strength”
The former Cameroon international is particularly impressed by Galatasaray’s current backline:
“Galatasaray’s defence is very strong: Sanchez, Jakobs, Boey, Singo… These are defenders who respond when the team needs them, and they’re enjoyable to watch. But it’s not enough to be good individually. They have to keep working on their chemistry, on understanding each other’s movements, on reacting as one unit. When they defend together, they can win games for Galatasaray.”
From his experience, titles are often decided at the back:
“In a league season or in decisive European matches, it’s usually the defence that makes the difference between being champions and falling short. People love to talk about the attackers, but a solid back four or back three is priceless. That’s why this current defence is so important for the team’s ambitions.”
Keys to facing Juventus: “You can’t switch off for a second”
Looking at the tactical side of the upcoming tie, Chedjou underlines the need for aggression and total focus from the first minute:
“Against Juventus, you must defend by pushing the pedal to the floor. From the very start, there can’t be even the slightest lapse in concentration. Communication has to be constant, the whole block has to move together, and everyone needs to maintain a high level from minute one to the final whistle.”
He warns that Italian teams excel at exploiting small mistakes:
“Italians are very strong in this area. They drag you onto terrain that doesn’t suit your football – slower tempo, more fouls, more interruptions – and then they hit you when you’re least expecting it. If you lose focus for even a second, they punish you. So for Galatasaray, staying mentally sharp is just as important as any tactical plan.”
“The old Juventus was on another level”
Chedjou sees a clear distinction between the Juventus he faced in 2013 and today’s team:
“The old Juventus was much stronger and inspired far more respect. They were genuine champions, not only because of their quality but also because of their aura. We’re talking about Marchisio, Buffon, Pirlo, Bonucci, Chiellini and many others. When you stepped on the pitch against them, you immediately felt the weight of their personality and experience.”
Today, in his view, the Bianconeri are still competitive but far less intimidating:
“I don’t want to disrespect the current players, but the only name that comes to my mind instantly is Vlahovic. Thuram and David have done well in France – Jonathan David is still Lille’s leading scorer. The rest either still need to prove that they deserve a top status or must confirm what people expect from them. The previous Juventus was clearly more dangerous, no question. That’s the biggest difference between then and now.”
Yet he insists that taking the Italians lightly would be a fatal mistake:
“Just because they no longer have five or six world-class icons in the same team doesn’t mean they’re weak. Juventus are still Juventus. They know how to win, especially in tight games. If you underestimate them, you open the door to a disaster.”
“Playing for Galatasaray changes your mentality”
Comparing his era to the current Galatasaray squad, Chedjou sees more continuity than change:
“I don’t think there’s a huge difference in terms of what the shirt demands. The moment you put on the Galatasaray jersey, you have to give absolutely everything. The expectations from the fans and from the club are always the same: fight, commitment, and results.”
However, he acknowledges that the cast around him back then created a very specific environment:
“But when you share a dressing room with champions like Sneijder, Didier Drogba, Lukas Podolski, Felipe Melo, Burak Yilmaz, Selçuk Inan… the mentality becomes something else entirely. Even training sessions were like battles. Everyone wanted to play, everyone wanted to be in the starting eleven, and that intensity raised the level of the entire squad. You couldn’t relax for a single session, or you’d fall behind.”
He adds that such characters transmitted a winning culture every day:
“With players of that calibre, the winning mindset doesn’t just appear on matchdays. It’s there from Monday to Sunday. They hate losing small-sided games in training, they argue over every decision, they push younger players, and that competitive fire is contagious. This is what built the backbone of our performances in Europe and in the league.”
New generation, same expectations
Looking at today’s Galatasaray, Chedjou believes the current stars are capable of writing their own story:
“The names are different now, but the responsibility is the same. The foreign players who come in have to understand very quickly where they are. Galatasaray is not a club where finishing second is acceptable. The pressure from the fans, the media and the club itself forces you to be ambitious.”
He underlines the importance of leaders emerging within the dressing room:
“In our time, you had natural leaders like Drogba, Melo or Selçuk. Now, others must take that role – both Turkish and foreign players. Leadership is not only about shouting; it’s about setting standards, arriving early, training hard, staying focused in difficult weeks. If this group finds three or four strong leaders, they can go far in Europe again.”
What Galatasaray must do to eliminate Juventus
Beyond emotions and memories, Chedjou is clear about the practical steps Galatasaray need to take to get past Juventus:
“First, they need to start very strongly at home. In European ties, the first leg often shapes everything. If Galatasaray impose their rhythm, score, and keep a clean sheet, they put huge pressure on Juventus for the second leg.”
He also stresses the value of controlling transitions:
“Juventus remain very dangerous when they recover the ball and counter-attack. Galatasaray’s midfield and full-backs must be very disciplined when they go forward. Lose the ball cheaply and you give Juventus exactly what they want – space to attack.”
Another key, according to the former defender, will be set pieces:
“In tight games, free-kicks and corners can decide the outcome. Galatasaray have height and power with their centre-backs and some forwards. They must use that. At the same time, they can’t afford to concede silly fouls around their own box. One mistake, one header, and the whole tie can swing.”
The emotional factor: reliving 2013 in the stands
For Chedjou, the memory of that snow game is not just a story for the players – it’s an emotional fuel for the supporters as well:
“The fans still talk to me about that night. For them, it was more than a match. It was a moment of pride: beating a European giant, in insane weather, after coming back to the stadium two days in a row. Stories like that become part of the club’s identity.”
He believes this emotional heritage can help the team:
“When the players walk out and hear the crowd, many of them will have seen the images and know the story. They’ll understand that they’re not just playing a group game or a round of 16 tie; they’re continuing a legacy. That kind of motivation can push you to run that extra metre in the 90th minute.”
Chedjou’s personal bond with Galatasaray
Despite having played in several leagues and countries, Chedjou admits that his years in Istanbul remain among the dearest to him:
“I have so many happy memories with Galatasaray that it’s hard to pick just one. Of course, the Juventus game is special, but there were also league titles, derbies, and moments with team-mates that I’ll never forget. The city, the passion of the supporters, the pressure – all of that marked me deeply.”
He feels a personal pride when he sees the club competing again at the highest level:
“When I watch Galatasaray now, I feel like a small part of their story. I know how hard it is to stay at the top in Turkey and still be competitive in Europe. So when they go into big Champions League nights, I’m always behind them, hoping they can create new unforgettable memories, just like we did in 2013.”
In his eyes, the upcoming duel with Juventus is not just another fixture:
“This tie is an opportunity for the current generation to write their own chapter. If they show courage, discipline and the typical Galatasaray fighting spirit, they have every chance to knock Juventus out again. And if that happens, believe me, people will be talking about it for another ten years.”