AleksandrMostovoi, a former Russian midfielder who played between CeltadeGrazia and Juventus, recalled the famous Celta-Juventus match in 2000, in which Turin's team won 4‑0 in the second leg. The interview, published on TuttoJuve.com, saw the player reflect on both the result and the context of that period.
In 2000, Juventus had already won the first leg 1-0, leaving enormous pressure in the return leg. “The match itself was difficult and easy at the same time,” Mostovoi explained. “It was important to start well straight away, and in fact Claude Makelele's goal in the first minute following my assist gave us a big hand.” Birindelli's own goal, Montero's expulsion and McCarthy's brace then consolidated the victory, transforming the match into a "rain of goals" that led to the final 4‑0.
The player also shared a personal anecdote regarding his contacts with Juventus in 1998. "They were in contact with me about the possible purchase, but Celta didn't want to sell me. They were asking for a very high sum to let me leave," he said. Mostovoi added that, at the time, the sums required for a midfielder were not as high as today, when clubs spend hundreds of millions on a quality half-season.
Mostovoi's memory comes during a period in which Juventus was consolidating its position in Serie A, with the team having already won the Champions League in 1996 and continuing to be one of the main powers of Italian football. The 2000 match was one of the key moments that demonstrated Juventus' strength that season, especially against a quality team like Celta.
For fans and football enthusiasts, the interview offers a further perspective on Juventus' past, highlighting how transfer dynamics and transfer decisions have influenced the team's form. Mostovoi, now a former player, concluded the interview with a smile, recalling that "it was great fun" to see Juventus dominate the second leg so decisively.