10 May 2023
The revamped version of the UEFA Cup, the Europa League brings Juventus and Sevilla together on Thursday evening at the Allianz Stadium. In the three tournaments won by the Lady in its original form, the semi-final first legs were all played in Turin.
Let's take a journey down memory lane starting from 1977, when Juve overpowered Greek opponents AEK 4-1 at the Comunale stadium. In the photo, Franco Causio tucks away the team's third goal.
BETTEGA'S BRACE
Juve's victory over AEK in Turin reduced the side from Athens' belief for the return leg. But it was not plain sailing for the Bianconeri, especially as the first half ended 1-1 with the away goal rule still being applied.
In the second half, Roberto Bettega stepped up his game, scoring a brace on the night. The forward would go on to score the most important goal, in the final in Bilbao.
THE GERMAN RUN
1990 was the last year of the historic home, the Comunale. Juventus were experiencing a UEFA Cup run like no other, facing three German teams in successive rounds, from Karl-Marx Stadt to Hamburg and, lastly, FC Köln in the semi-finals.
In the photo, we see a moment of this match when goalkeeper Bodo Illgner – who would win the World Cup with Germany a few months later – outjumps Roberto Galia.
PAYING THE PRICE
Sergej Alejnikov and Olaf Janßen go head on in Juventus-FC Köln, a match that changed complextion after the 80-minute mark. The Bianconeri had dominated the first hour of play, cruising to a 3-0 lead through goals from Rui Barros, Pierluigi Casiraghi and Giancarlo Marocchi.
In the closing 10 minutes, Juve eased off and paid the price: Falco Götz and Ralf Sturm each found the net to make the final score 3-2.
THE TURNAROUND
Also the 1993 semi-final between Juventus and PSG was distinctly split in two. This time the opponents had the better of the first half.
The French side took the lead with a goal from George Weah. In the photo, a duel between full-backs Moreno Torricelli and Patrick Colleter.
THE COMEBACK KID
The key figure behind the second-half turnaround was Roberto Baggio. The Divin Codino levelled the tie with a right-foot finish from a cut-back from Fabrizio Ravanelli. He then completed the comeback with a glorious free-kick (in the photo).
