Galatasaray booked their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League thanks to a 1-0 victory over Juventus in a snowy Istanbul this afternoon.
The two sides went into the clash battling for second spot, with Real Madrid having already sealed first place. Visiting Juve went into the encounter two points better off than their hosts, who had to win to remain in the competition after Christmas.
The encounter actually got underway yesterday evening, but the combination of snow and hail storms resulted in referee Pedro Proenca calling a halt to proceedings in the 31st minute.
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Despite the wintry conditions having continued throughout the night and this morning, the two teams reconvened at the Turk Telekom Arena to complete the remaining 59 minutes.
The tractors that had been used to clear the pitch of snow had left the playing surface boggy, which resulted in the teams largely adopting a long-ball tactic in an attempt to bypass the middle of the pitch, which was particularly affected.
Chances were few and far between before the whistle was blown for the break, but in the 57th minute, the home side created the first opening. Paul Pogba's pass was underhit and the ball was eventually worked to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to drill goalwards from the edge of the area. Gianluigi Buffon got down quickly in the away side's goal, though, to push clear the danger.
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Up the other end the Italians, who would have qualified ahead of Gala with a draw, worked an opening with 79 minutes played, but Claudio Marchisio drove straight at Fernando Muslera.
The defining moment occurred five minutes from time when Drogba rose highest 20 yards from goal to head the ball into the path of an unmarked Wesley Sneijder. Despite a narrow angle, the Dutchman went for goal and he managed to guide the ball beyond the reach of Buffon and inside the near post.
Juventus applied pressure in the closing stages, but Gala held firm to ensure that they would be in next week's draw, while Juventus drop down into the Europa League.
Liam Apicella
