The Scots were right about one thing: Celtic Park will remain in the memory of the Juventus people for a long time. However, the memory will be as pleasant as it is surprising, because not even the most optimistic fan would have imagined all this grace. It ended 0-3, a result which, beyond the superstition, is worth such a big mortgage on qualification for the quarter-finals. But it was not a walk, and not so much for the Celtic Park bedlam, or at least not only. The Scots fielded all their competitive anger and Juve, for a good half hour, also had a bad time. But the bianconeri had a bonus that was difficult to fill: that of having played the whole match with a one-goal lead.
In fact, after just 3 minutes the unfortunate Ambrose, a Nigerian defender who has just returned from the African Cup, combined the first disaster of the match by opening the way for Matri to make it 0-1. There is a yellow card on the net, because the referee, not realizing that the ball had already completely crossed the goal line, assigned it to Marchisio. After a few minutes, the necessary correction by UEFA: the goal is by Matri. From then on, containing the Scottish fury was a little easier.
“Very important and also painful victory, because Celtic are an excellent team – Antonio Conte's analysis -. Bolge like that I've seen them a few times. Well done the boys, because the Celtic players have gone beyond their means, pressing in an impressive way. This match was a test of maturity, it wasn't easy to get out of here unscathed. I played there as a footballer on fields like this, tonight I couldn't even communicate with my parents... A terrible bedlam. At the corner kicks it seemed that the stadium was coming down”.
All true, but since the fans don't score (Buffon dixit) Juventus' superiority has emerged in the long run. Who at the beginning of the second half, after letting Celtic vent, put the game to sleep, to then place the decisive paws, as befits a great team. First Marchisio (splendid goal after a triangle with Matri and a feint on Brown as a top player), then Vucinic (killer goal from the area after an assist from the usual Principino) closed everything, leaving Celtic Park basking in disappointment.
Now the bianconeri, despite the superstition, can go back to thinking about the championship, which will resume on Saturday evening at the Olimpico stadium in Rome. The Champions League will be dealt with again at the end of March, when it will be time for the quarter-finals. Because the return against Celtic, barring cataclysms, will only be a small formality.
