Celtic 4 - Juventus 3
Wednesday 31st October 2001
The Hoops turned in a thrilling performance to beat Juventus at Celtic Park, but it wasn't enough to earn them a place in the last 16 of the Champions' League as Porto got the win they needed to clinch second place in Group E.
Martin O'Neill's side had the better of the opening exchanges, but it was Juventus who took the lead, Alessandro del Piero curling home a fine free-kick on 19 minutes.
Celtic, though, were back in it five minutes later. Lubomir Moravcik - who had played just 59 minutes in five previous Champions' League games this season - created an opening down the right and crossed for Joos Valgaeren to power home a header.
With Juve looking shaky at the back against the power of Chris Sutton, the Bhoys were in control.
Didier Agathe drove just wide, then Henrik Larsson somehow contrived to head wide from two yards after another magnificent Moravcik cross.
But Celtic took the lead on the stroke of half-time, Sutton rising above the defence to head home Moravcik's corner.
Juve coach Marcello Lippi replaced Del Piero with David Trezeguet at half-time, and the France international promptly made his mark, lobbing Robert Douglas on 50 minutes, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
But Trezeguet got his name on the scoresheet a minute later, pinging the ball home from just inside the box.
Celtic remained undaunted and Larsson restored their lead from the spot six minutes later after Mark Iuliano had manhandled Dianbobo Balde in the box.
Sutton added a fourth with a smart volley on 64 minutes and Larsson was only denied a fifth moments later by the legs of goalkeeper Fabian Carini.
Trezeguet pulled one back on 77 minutes and Juve had another effort ruled out for offside in injury-time. But Celtic held on for the three points that secured them a place in the Uefa Cup.
Celtic: Douglas, Valgaeren, Mjallby, Balde, Petta, Lambert, Moravcik (Petrov 65), Lennon, Agathe, Sutton, Larsson
Juventus: Carini, Birindelli, Ferrara, Iuliano, Paramatti, Zenoni, Maresca (Frara 81), Tacchinardi, Nedved, Del Piero (Trezeguet 46), Amoruso (Pessotto 67)
Booked: Moravcik, Valgaeren (Celtic); Nedved, Ferrara (Juve)
Referee: G Veissiere (France)
