After the Champions League group draw, Celtic’s qualification hopes were all but written off. However, Group G’s fourth seed now find themselves with a spot in the last 16, playing against Juventus on Europe’s grandest stage.
Back in August, the Scots twice had to travel to Scandanavia for European ties. First, a 4-1 aggregate victory against HJK Helsinki in the qualifying round, followed by a 4-0 aggregate win over Helsingborg later in the month to clinch a spot alongside Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow in the group stage.
It has been a wild ride for Lennon’s men in Europe this season, filled with tension, late goals and dramatic upsets. Indeed, qualification was not secure until the final whistle of the last group game.
These are Celtic’s results in the Champions League so far:
Benfica (D) – The Scots could not make home advantage count and the encounter ended in a goalless stalemate.
Spartak Moscow (W) – Lennon’s side took the lead after 12 minutes through leading goalscorer Hooper, but goals from Emenike either side of the interval saw the hosts seize an advantage. With 71 minutes on the clock, an equalising goal brought the Hoops back into the contest and then in the dying stages, Samaras nodded home to seal a crucial victory on a dramatic night in Moscow.
Barcelona (L) – Celtic went in front from a set piece in the Camp Nou after a Samaras header found its way into the back of the net. It took one of the moves of the season on the stroke of half-time between Xavi and Iniesta to level the score against a well-drilled, organised and compact back line. Despite repelling the Catalan assault for much of the encounter, Scottish hearts were broken deep in injury time when Jordi Alba burst forward to prod Adriano’s cross home at the back post.
Barcelona (W) – In front of a full house at Parkhead, Lennon masterminded one of the greatest triumphs in Celtic’s history. Wanayama towered above the Barcelona defence to put the hosts in front from a corner kick. Then, with seven minutes remaining, 18-year-old Tony Watt drilled a low effort past Valdes and Celtic Park erupted.
Benfica (L) - After victory against Barcelona, the Scots were very much in charge of their own destiny, but still faced a tough match away against Benfica. The hosts put themselves right back in the mix for a place in the knockout stage via a 2-1 victory in Lisbon. This result set up nerve-racking games for both sides.
Spartak Moscow (W) – The Scottish champions required victory and a favourable result in Barcelona to ensure progression. With just ten minutes left on the clock, all outcomes were still possible in both Group G match-ups. In Glasgow, the score was level at 1-1 and qualification was poised on a knife edge. After 81 minutes, Celtic were awarded a penalty and the responsibility fell on the shoulders of Commons, who kept his cool and slotted home to set up a two-legged clash with Juventus in the last 16.
Celtic have been labelled as underdogs throughout their European adventure this season but have defied the odds and produced some incredible results along the way. The Glasgow faithful will be hoping for another special night at Celtic Park on Tuesday.
Source: Juventus.com
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