Juve coach Conte mindful of Celtic pitfalls
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Article summary
Antonio Conte warned Juventus "there can always be surprises" as they defend a 3-0 lead at home to a Celtic FC side who Neil Lennon says have "done Scotland proud".
Article top media content
Article body
Juventus are 3-0 up going into the home leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against Celtic FC, but coach Antonio Conte warned the Turin side their job was not yet done.
The cautious Juve boss even spoke of the possibility of extra time and penalties. Celtic counterpart Neil Lennon, shorn of key players through injury, suspects otherwise, stressing: "You can't come to Turin and expect to win 4-1 or 4-0." He is targeting a win on the night, as a fitting end to a memorable campaign.
Juventus
Antonio Conte, coach
Nobody is underestimating the importance of this game – a team qualifies over 180 minutes and we've only played 90, so we have another 90, plus maybe extra time and penalties, against a strong proud team who will want to make amends for the first leg.
Certainly, the first leg has given us a seriously good chance of reaching the next round, but in football there can always be surprises if you don't play with the right determination and focus. Celtic are a very physical side and can create lots of problems from set pieces.
We still have to get through and, until I have that in my hands, I can only repeat what Gianluigi Buffon said before the Chelsea game – we know our strengths, we know what we can do and know where we have come from.
Weekend result
Friday: SSC Napoli 1-1 Juventus (Inler 43; Chiellini 10)
Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio (Padoin 90+1), Peluso; Vučinić (Pogba 85), Giovinco (Matri 74).
• Making his first start of 2013, fit-again Giorgio Chiellini's first goal in over a year helped Juve earn a hard-fought draw at second-placed Napoli. The Bianconeri thus maintained their six-point lead in Serie A with 11 games to go.
Team news
Martín Cáceres and Nicolas Anelka are doubtful after missing the Napoli trip with back injuries. Paolo De Ceglie is out with a thigh problem and Simone Pepe will not play again this season after surgery to resolve a thigh issue initially sustained in a pre-season friendly.
Celtic
Neil Lennon, manager
You can't come to Turin and expect to win 4-1 or 4-0, but we're capable of winning the game and that's what we'd like to do. If we can create as many chances as at Celtic Park, it should be a good night.
We may not be here again as a group. We're playing the champions of Italy, so I'll tell the players to enjoy it, enjoy the stadium, the atmosphere, don't be intimidated. The pressure is off so we should try to restore some respectability. If we can win in Italy, it would be a fantastic achievement for our young team. There's a lot to play for, lots of incentives.
We've not had Champions League football for four or five years. Some of the nights have been amazing, with the atmospheres against Barcelona, Juventus – they were truly memorable for me against the best teams in the world, the best coaches in the world. It's been a fantastic experience for players who are relatively [early] in their careers – they've excelled and done Scotland proud.
Weekend result
Saturday: Saint Mirren FC 1-2 Celtic (Gonçalves 13; Ledley 5, Stokes 21)
Forster; Matthews, Rogne (Kayal 81), Wilson, Izaguirre; Forrest, Wanyama, Ambrose, Ledley; Hooper (Commons 90), Stokes (Samaras 71).
• Celtic booked a Scottish Cup semi-final spot courtesy of only their third win in their last seven away fixtures. James Forrest was the instigator, with his crosses headed in by stand-in captain Joe Ledley and Anthony Stokes, saving the blushes of Emilio Izaguirre whose error had led to the equaliser.
Team news
Skipper Scott Brown (hip) and Mikael Lustig (thigh) are sidelined with knocks they collected in the first leg. Charlie Mulgrew is still available but Tony Watt, hero of Celtic's FC Barcelona win earlier this season, has not travelled because of a bruised foot.
Match fact
• Juventus are unbeaten in Europe since 18 March 2010, when they went down 4-1 at Fulham FC in their UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg, losing 5-4 on aggregate. Their subsequent matches have produced eight victories and nine draws.