Football fans the world over know Barcelona better than any other team, apart from their own personal favourites. We have all marvelled at how this side redefined the game at club level, before carrying their modus operandi and success to the Spanish national team, with an even greater win ratio, but the devil is in the detail, and the details point to a vulnerability in Barcelona.
They have won European trophies three times in the last nine seasons but only once in the other six seasons have they been eliminated by a non-British team. Five times in nine seasons they have passed, jinked and outplayed British opposition without creating enough clear-cut chances to win the tie, or by protecting their goal sufficiently well.
Inter parked the bus in the 2010 Champions League semi-final, as only Inter can, but all others across continental Europe have been swept aside, no matter how defensively, flamboyantly or aggressively they play.
The pool of teams capable of beating over two legs Barcelona is admittedly small but any opponent who reaches the knock out stage of a competition from France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Italy or Spain itself would take their chances seriously. The Russians, Ukrainians and Belgians would have a go too. None of these countries have a single team better than Barca by any objective measure, but the same is true of British teams.
There is something about the high-tempo nature of the British game this team just doesn’t cope well with. If they did, they would have won at least twice as many European trophies as they have in the last nine seasons. If it’s objective evidence you are looking for, you don’t need to look too far for a style of football Barcelona don’t cope with.
Chelsea triumphed twice during the period while Liverpool and Manchester United both won once. The sequence started when Celtic drew 0-0 at the Camp Nou after a 1-0 win in Glasgow in 2004. Liverpool also knocked Barca out three years earlier and don’t ask a Dundee United fan about their exploits at the Camp Nou unless you have an hour to kill!
Play your own game, Celtic.
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Spartak hit the underside of the bar
Good luck to the bhoys. I have this funny bone feeling that we will be alright on the night and Lenny’s bhoys will have a blast, as we will.
Hail Hail the Celts are HERE !
Just_a_Bhoys_game
17:21 on
23 October, 2012
Celtic Soul Brother, how did you get in the dressing room????
Someone’s got to look after the kit in John Clark’s temporary absence!
cavansam \o/
17:25 on 23 October, 2012
proudbhoy
Not sure but he looks a different player compared to when he had a season on loan at Bolton in 2010/11 20 games 1 goal.
Dont remember him.
Think it said he scored 4 for spain under 21 recently.
Bhoys miracles do happen who ever would have thought that that mob across the city would be playing in Scotlands lowest league ? while Celtic would be playing one of the worlds best club sides? Tonight is a night were Celtics young players could make themselves household names they have nothing to lose as most of the football world expect them to take a drubbing.So come on you Bhoys in green.H.H.
Any Croydon Tims able to confirm Old Fox and Hounds in West Croydon showing game tonight? Phone line is dead. Thanks
Looking on newsnow, we are being totally written off.
Hoping for the shock. Mon Celtic
Beneficial score
Benficans score.
Damn predictive text, Benfica score
CSB
Cheers.Thought so!
Benfica level 1-1
Beneficial to the cause ;)
Lennon n mc..
Hope so
good news and bad news, good news is we will wear the hoops tonight, bad news is that my hotel tonight changed the Sky package last week and only have football in the bar, bound to be full of Mancs and Chelski fans.
So , dodgy stream it has to be, but been there before. Cannot wait for this, been like a wee bhoy all day at work, would like a draw in MoscoW in the other match, but we will have to deal with it whatever happens.
Hope we have a go tonight and walk off at full time with heads up and chests out, no injuries or red cards too! `MON THE HOOPS!!!
Mrs Messi can start her contractions anytime soon.
celtic soul brother- supporting kano 1000
17:15 on 23 October, 2012
Looks like we’re in the Hoops tonight!
You been smuggled in inside the kit bag?
Mon the Leather belts dae it the night
BMCUW
It’s good to be back!
Not long in.
Cannae wait for kick-off.
No soup today – made lasagne! Another of my signature dishes!
Watching game at home with Ms Tally – Mrs Tally away.
Got a good feeling about tonight – here’s hoping!
Cmon the Hoops!
HH!!
2 nil Spartak.
I’m glad were good pals with the Catalans,it would’ve great if wee Marc Crosas had’ve worked out here,I wonder if he would have a role in our current squad?
2-1Spartak
Sorry, 2 1
2-1 Spartak
An og
Spartak score
Benfica own goal, Spartak lead again
2-1 spartak
Ten Men Won The League
It was 170 Benfica fans confirmed.
Zbyszek
It showed you the Benfica fans at ko
No way there was more than circa 30
Looking very similar to Spartak’s previous 2 games.
What odds now on 3-2 to Benfica?
Good evening all.
I’ve been thinking (shock!) and I conclude that if we pick up at least 2 points from our next 3 games we will qualify. Of course, 3 tonight would be even better!
Delighted that we’ll be wearing the hoops.
TMWTL
Will watch second half with Russian commentary. I have not seen that picture.
I mean 170 flew to Moscow, confirmed by Benfica, they got tickets from Spartak.
2-1HT
Zbyszek
The rest were probably still on the concourse trying to stay warm :)
Arrived in hotel in Basingstoke and had to tell a Chelsea fan that he is watching Celtic tonight. I dont think he is too pleased. Ah well who cares
So is a Saprtak win a good result for us?
Stuart Findlay@stuartfindlay95
cant wait for our @nextgenseries match v aston villa. Hopefully we carry on from our win v PSV. 7 at firhill tomorrow for anyone interested
It is if we beat them at home notthebus
TMWTL
Or Spartak sold them tickets for hockey.
They have hockey section as well. No skates on, no entry.