Juventus have twice played at Celtic Park, both times in Europe’s most elite competition and both times the Bianconeri suffered defeat by a one-goal margin:
1981
The first meeting between the two sides took place in 1981, the first of a two-legged affair. Giovanni Trapattoni went with the starting XI of: Zoff, Gentile, Cabrini, Furino, Brio, Scirea, Marocchino, Tardelli, Bettega, Brady and Bonini.
At the time, British football had a particular reputation of danger from set plays, and indeed the only goal of the game came from a Celtic corner kick. Murdo MacLeod put his effort past the Juventus shotstopper after 65 minutes to give the Scots an advantage to take to Italy. However, the Bianconeri were able to come back in the home leg two weeks later and progress to the next round via a 2-0 victory.
2001
It was twenty years before the two teams would lock horns again. On this occasion it was the final match of the group in the 2001-02 Champions League. Celtic required both a win and a Porto slip-up against Rosenberg to keep their European hopes alive. Despite qualification already being secure for Juve, the Bianconeri gave 100% and pressed for victory until the final whistle.
The tie produced a seven-goal thriller and an electric 90 minutes of football. With 19 minutes on the clock, Del Piero opened the scoring when he squeezed a free-kick to the right of goalkeeper Douglas and into the top corner from 20 metres out. Just moments later, the Scots drew level when Lambert’s cross was diverted in off the head of Valgaren. Then, just before the interval, Sutton leapt to meet another Lambert delivery from the left flank and hand the Scots a 2-1 lead at half-time.
The second-half continued where the first had left off. Only six minutes after the restart, Amoruso released the substitute Trezeguet, who found the back of the net with a rasping left-footed strike from inside the area to get Lippi’s men back on terms. Sutton was again in the thick of the action, this time earning a penalty after being held back in the box by Iuliano. Larsson stepped up to the plate and slotted it past Carini’s right glove to restore the lead. Soon after, Sutton let fly a stunning volley which left the Bianconeri keeper with no chance. The result seemed to be secure for the Hoops, however Trezeguet pounced on a loose ball in the area and unleashed a clinical right-footed finish to half the deficit. Juve couldn’t go on to grab an equalising goal, but a dramatic encounter ended in a 4-3 victory for the hosts.
Unfortunately for Celtic, their heroics proved to be in vain as Porto registered a 1-0 triumph over Rosenberg to secure qualification.
The Bianconeri will not dwell on previous results and instead look to focus on the task at hand. A fiery atmosphere awaits at Celtic Park where Conte’s troops meet a team that gives nothing away cheaply and has proved itself capable of causing upsets against the very best in Europe.
Source: Juventus.com
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