The Second Leg in Turin
Celtic manager Billy McNeill. Juventus v Celtic, European Cup, first round, second leg, 30 September 1981. Photo The Celtic Wiki
Celtic were without Danny McGrain in the second leg and, as it turned out, they would badly miss his experience and leadership…
Roy Aitken captains the side. Juventus v Celtic, European Cup, first round, second leg, 30 September 1981. Photo The Celtic Wiki
As expected, Juventus came at Celtic right from the start. Brady was again outstanding, constantly feeding probing passes Roberto Bettega, Pietro Virdis and Domenico Marocchino. Juve were also assisted by a supportive Belgian referee who was quick to punish Celtic tackles but ignore those of the home side. Despite this onslaught, Celtic absorbed the pressure calmly and kept their composure. There were signs of frustration appearing among the Juventus players and support.
Juventus v Celtic, European Cup, first round, second leg, 30 September 1981. Photo The Celtic Wiki
Then, after 28 minutes, Roy Aitken took a long free kick which went straight to Gentile. He passed to Virdis, who set off on a 60 yard run before firing a shot past Bonner. This was exactly the boost which Juventus needed and was to prove the turning point of the tie. In the 40th minute, Celtic failed to clear their lines properly. A cross came to Bettega, who killed the ball on his knee and then swivelled to fire an unstoppable volley past Bonner.
The travelling Celtic support. Juventus v Celtic, European Cup, first round, second leg, 30 September 1981. Photo The Celtic Wiki
An away goal would still have put Celtic through, but Juve used all their experience and nous to maintain their lead and see out the rest of the game. Although Celtic battled very bravely, Juventus still created all the clear-cut chances, and the scoreline would have been much worse but for Pat Bonner’s heroics in goal. He was universally acclaimed as Celtic’s best player on the night.
Celtic were out of Europe again but, as Billy McNeill said, “We can’t complain because Juventus were a better side. Things went well until we lost a goal – but this sort of match lets you see the standard we have to aim at in both quality and desire to win.”
Juventus v Celtic, European Cup, first round, second leg, 30 September 1981. Photo The Celtic Wiki
This was a common theme in the after-match reports, with the comparison always being made between Celtic’s naivete and Juve’s know-how. As Mike Aitken put it in The Scotsman: “Celtic were dismissed from the Champions’ Cup in Turin last night by the seasoned professionals of Juventus, who were as masters showing pupils the art of European football.”
Juventus v Celtic, European Cup, first round, second leg, 30 September 1981. Photo The Celtic Wiki
The Celtic fans who had made the long trip to Turin were fully appreciative of the team’s efforts, staying on in the stadium for a full 15 minutes after the game to show their support. The vast majority had travelled by bus, and sadly a nasty shock awaited many of them in the stadium car park. In a completely unprovoked attack, Celtic supporters waiting to board their buses were set upon by gangs of Italian youths, many wielding knives and razors.
Some Celtic fans suffered terrible injuries. Three Scots ended up in hospital with severe knife wounds, with one requiring two hours of surgery. The windows of several supporters’ buses were also smashed in random attacks. The sickening violence received remarkably little coverage from a media all too quick to provide saturation coverage of any instances of misbehaviour by Scottish or English fans.
After the excitement of the two matches, Celtic’s participation in Europe was yet again over by the end of September. McNeill’s young players had battled bravely against superior opposition and given a good account of themselves. Unfortunately, they had fallen just short. Perhaps they could go further next year…
James McDevitt
Where you are one or both of these matches against Juventus in the European Cup in September 1981? If so we’d love to hear from you. Please post your memories of these games in the comments section below. Also if anyone has photos from these games, especially the away match, it would be great to drop them in the article. Send to [email protected] and we’ll drop the photos in with appropriate credits.
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter is out now!
If you are thinking about ordering a copy of David Potter’s final Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties, which is out now on Celtic Star Books, then you’ll need to be quick. We’ve had a remarkable response so far and have just over 100 books remaining. When they’re gone, they’re gone…
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Celtic in the Eighties – Out now, it’s our fastest selling book ever and accordingly stocks are now very low indeed, so get it while you can!…
Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.
Order Celtic in the Eighties today, you’ll be glad you did, it’s a fabulous read!
OUT NOW! Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.
