We Don't Fear Juve, Says Rosenborg Star
Thursday 23rd August 2001
Rosenborg striker Frode Johnsen reacted to the Champions' League draw, in which the Norwegians were pitted against Juventus, Celtic and Porto, by saying: "We can beat Juve."
Rosenborg qualified for the Champions' League for a remarkable seventh successive time on Wednesday after beating Inter Bratislava 7-3 on aggregate.
And the Norwegians, who eliminated AC Milan by winning at the San Siro in the 90s, are not scared by their more illustrious opponents.
Johnsen said: "It is as easy to beat Juventus at our home ground as any other team.
"No one expects us to win," he told Dagbladet.
Midfielder Roar Strand, meanwhile, sees the game against Celtic in Scotland as the highlight of the programme.
He said: "I am really looking forward to play Celtic away. It is going to be like a cauldron with 60,000 in the stands."
Strand missed two penalties when Rosenborg played in the Champions' League four years ago.
"I would like to make amends for that," Strand said with a wry smile.
