Celtic were defeated 3-0 by Juventus in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday night at Parkhead.
The Bianconeri took the lead early in the first half when Alessandro Matri capitalised on an Efe Ambrose error. Then after the break Claudio Marchisio and Mirko Vucinic added a second and third in the second period.
The Bhoys came out of the traps in terrific fashion but Matri nudged the ball past Fraser Forster, but Kelvin Wilson couldn’t stop it from going over the line.
Not affected by the setback, Celtic continued to press the Italians hard and seemed to be adopting a shoot on sight policy, but Gianluigi Buffon was rarely troubled.
Federico Peluso capitalised on a good break from Mirko Vucinic, but his cross found Claudio Marchisio stretching, and the Italian international volleyed wide from close range.
Kris Commons went close with an overhead kick in the penalty area, and Victor Wanyama headed over from six yards despite being unmarked.
There were some theatrics from Stephan Lichtsteiner and Gary Hooper towards the end of the half, with both taking part in a long running wrestling match at set-pieces.
In the second period, Neil Lennon’s charges started as they left off and continued to pressure the Juventus backline. Mikael Lustig and Charlie Mulgrew both saw good chances go.
Antonio Conte’s men were finding life tough at Parkhead and struggled to string two passes together at times. And could have found themselves level.
Mulgrew swung in a fantastic cross right into the middle of the area but Ambrose could only direct his free header straight at Buffon. Then moments later a driven Scott Brown ball was cleared by Martin Cacares.
Juve were becoming more dangerous as the game went on especially on the counter attack, and Vucinic could have made it two if not for Wilson’s outstretched boot.
Still the play was mostly in the Juventus half with Celtic throwing the ball into the box at every opportunity.
But Marchisio dealt a hammer blow to the Bhoys with just over ten minutes to go. Finishing off a quick counter attack from the Bianconeri. Then Just five minutes later Vucinic made it 3-0.
Ambrose, again at fault, was disposed allowing Marchisio to play in Vucinic who cooly finished past Forster.
Celtic to their credit put in plenty of effort but in the end couldn’t find that final ball which would have given them a deserved goal.
