Celtic’s impressive run in the UEFA Champions League looks to have finally come to an end, after Juventus’ 3-0 win in Celtic Park. An early goal from Alessandro Matri, followed by two late goals from Claudio Marchisio and Mirko Vucinic, perhaps embellished the score line for Juve as Celtic were the better side for the majority of the game.

As the players took to the field, Celtic Park certainly lived up to its billing as the most atmospheric stadium in Europe. With renditions of terrace anthems such as “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Rod Stewart, Billy Connelly and drunken Glaswegians as motivation for the Celtic players, and deterrents for the Juventus players; Alessandro Matri’s early goal came as bit of a surprise. A long hopeful punt forward from stand-in LWB Federico Peluso, found Matri in the penalty area after a huge misjudgement by the clearly jetlagged Efe Ambrose. Matri was able to stab the ball under the onrushing Forester and look the ball roll over the line, even though Kevin Wilson tried his best to prevent this from happening.

A lesser group of player and fans would have been left demoralised by an early goal scored due to a comedy of errors; but not Celtic. The home side, spurred on by their fantastic faithful, pushed forward in search for an equaliser. It was Chris Commons and Victor Wanyama who came closest to scoring that all important goal in the first half. An audacious, and quite brilliant, overhead kick from Commons left Gianluigi Buffon rooted to his goal line to look the ball spin narrowly wide of the left post. Wanyama’s six yard header from a Commons cross was undoubtedly Celtic’s best chance of the first half however. With no pressure from a flat footed Juventus defence, Wanyama found himself with a costless header on goal, but he ballooned it over the bar and Juventus breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Celtic were pressing high up the field and forcing errors from La Vecchia Signora; when the away was able to get past the first green and white front, they caused problems for Celtic. After some neat interplay involving Mirko Vucinic and Peluso, the ball was crossed to the back post where a flying Caludio Marchisio was just unable to get a good connection on the ball. This opportunity accentuated the fact that Celtic needed to take their chances.

The defensive antic of Juve’s Stephan Lichsteiner proved to be a major talking point for the home fans. Though customary in the Serie A, the pushing and shoving in the penalty area during set pieces, left many Celtic fans feeling aggrieved that no penalty was given.

In the second half, Celtic were once again able to pin their Italian opposition back into their own half for long spells. Knowing that at least one goal was needed to bring life back into the two legged affair, Neil Lennon’s men were able to force mistake after mistake, from the likes of the ever world class Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo.

Although the pressure was sustained and of great magnitude, the home side could only carve out one clear cut opportunity to score. A short corner kick reached the boot of Charlie Mulgrew, who’s wondrous cross found Efe Ambrose completely unmarked four yards from goal. The African Cup of Nations winner somehow managed to find the grateful Buffon’s midriff instead of the stanchion.

This missed chance proved to be a turning point in the game, as Juventus began to finally show their worth. It was Claudio Marchisio who dealt the fatiguing Celtic with a fatal blow 13 minutes from the final whistle. Juventus’ quick counter attack found Matri just outside the penalty area. After a majestic flicked pass to Marchisio, the Italian international jinked past Scott Brown and rifled the ball into the top left corner.

The second goal spelled an end to Celtic’s brave resistance. Neil Lennon’s men’s disappointment at conceding after playing so well; played into the hands of a clinical Juventus. With 8 minutes left on the clock, Vucinic sealed the win after another costly error from pantomime villain Ambrose. The Nigerian was pick-pocketed by the irrepressible Marchisio, who found Vucinic with a through ball to give him an opportunity he was never likely to squander.

A 3-0 victory in the first leg has more than likely booked Juventus a place in the quarter finals, and with a number of important Serie A fixtures on the horizon; Antonio Conte can look to rest players for the second leg to concentrate on the Scudetto push.