25 September 2017
Juventus and Olympiacos will lock horns on Wednesday night in the Bianconeri's first Champions League home game of the season.
The two sides are no strangers to one another, as they have met eight times in the Champions League, as well as twice in the Europa League. The Old Lady have won five of their meetings in Europe's premier competition, whilst there have been two draws and one victory for Olympiacos.
1967 was the date they first met, Juve prevailing 2-0 in Turin, thanks to goals from Gianfranco Zigoni and Giampaolo Menichelli.
However, without a doubt the most dramatic match was that encounter in November 2014...
NOV 2014: THE STORY BEFORE THE GAME
Juventus had started their 2014/15 Champions League campaign with a 2-0 home win against Malmo before travelling to Atletico Madrid where they were beaten 1-0. That was then followed up with a trip to Greece, where another 1-0 defeat was served up.
As Matchday Four arrived, the Bianconeri were going into the game against Olympiacos knowing that they needed to win to help keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
The squad were ready and focused on the challenge ahead, aware of the sheer importance of three points on the night.
These were the words of Massimiliano Allegri and Claudio Marchisio on the day before the game...
THE CHALLENGE AHEAD
Going into the game on the night of 4 November 2014, there were two centurions in the Juventus line-up. Paul Pogba was making his 100th appearance for the Bianconeri, whilst Andrea Pirlo...
The game starts under a shower of rain and initially it's an even match that needs something special to tip the balance.
After 20 minutes of play, the moment arrives: a splendid free-kick from Il Maestro, Andrea Pirlo gives Juventus the lead!
However, before the Bianconeri even have time to celebrate, the ball is in the back of their own net, with Olympiacos drawing level after a header from Alberto Botia.
The two sides head into half-time tied at 1-1, but after the break the visitors take a shock lead through Delvin N'Dinga with only half an hour remaining.
La Vecchia Signora are shell-shocked and staring Champions League elimination in the face. However, in this moment of huge adversity, Juve are spurred on and in true 'Fino Alla Fine' fashion kick off the turnaround in their fortunes that would ultimately see them reach the final in Berlin.
TWO INCREDIBLE MINUTES
In the 65th minute, a cross from Pirlo finds the head of Fernando Llorente, and his effort deflects off the Olympiacos goalkeeper and into the net. The Bianconeri are level, but the feeling around the ground is not one of relief, but a sudden hunger for victory.
A minute later, Paul Pogba receives the ball in the area. As he attempts to play in a team-mate, his effort is blocked by a defender. However, Pogba reacts quickest and strikes the ball first time to send it past the keeper and into the goal to give Juventus a 3-2 lead!
This was an emotional victory that took a huge amount of effort and heart, along with grit and determination.
The win was celebrated by Massimiliano Allegri, who tweeted after the game about his relief for the comeback, with the famous #fiuuu hashtag that followed the team all the way to the final.
