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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The one time Rangers, under MacLeish, qualified for the last 16 they did so on 7 points.
Correct, Paul.
What he’s basically saying, folks, is thta they’re over-rated sand-dancers, especially that Argentine Oompah-Loompah, Messi.
We won 5-0 away from home on Saturday.
Any reason we can’t repeat that tonight?
Of course there is. Good God, man, get a grip ;))
Give me a draw, bite yer hand off!
Catman, Basingstoke Irish club is in the town centre, sang a few tunes in there :>) phone and see if they’re showing the Celtic game. HH
Would prefer a draw from the Spartak v Benfica game – personal opinion!
US Bhoys – You should be able to find the game live on Directv service. Found two channels that are carrying it. Glad to see we are wearing the hoops tonight. Looking for the team to stand strong and make a game of it. Can’t wait
Thanks vmhan
Got my seat now to watch the 2 nd half of Spartak and then the main event
Notmovingforanyone csc
Catman HH
If ye change yir mind
http://www.irishinbritain.org/members-regions- …
The Irish Centre. Council Road. Basingstoke. Hampshire RG21 3DH. Tel: 01256 353143.
2nd half underway
When I was on for my usual lunchtime read I noticed that Tooting Tim was stranded at Southend Airport. Anyone know if he eventually got away?
Big Mon the Hoops for the Tic tonight! God Bless the Celts!
Feeling quietly confident about tonight. If Kelvin not fit I would go with.
Forster
Mathews Lustig Mulgrew Izzaguire
Ambrose
Brown Wanyama Ledley
Samaras
Hooper
anyone know of a pub in the Guildford area showing the game,got a mate working down there,desperately trying to find somewhere to watch it
Unemployed “lifelong Celtic fan ” Owen Coyle on radio Shortbread
Orcs on FF commenting on how rubbish Spartak and Benfica are, obviously not a patch on the mighty Stirling, you couldn’t make it up.
Right, work finished….settled down to watch the best Team in the World against the best Club in the World …….C’MON THE BHOYS…….!!!!!!!!
vmhan .u back???
Tell your mate to try The Stoke on Stoke Rd Guildford.The Legend Johnny Doyle Local.
Jabba not on shortbread, must be otherwise engaged
on writing 10 page exclusive why it was a good thing
for the taxpayer and football fan to be cheated
Enjoy the game wherever you are,
.
Bada Bing
I notice that the “lifelong Celtic fan” pops up on a regular basis when he is “between clubs”
McLeish does similar.
I have no problems with these guys earning a living or keeping up their profile.
However, , it would be nice if they appeared with the same regularity , and shared their wisdom, and their thoughts on Scottish football during periods when they were in employment in the best league in the world.
first budweiser opened
cava prestige chilling for dinner at 7
feels like a birthday or christmas or something
that feeling of happiness that you get
on special occasions
c’mon Celtic
BB
Clashcitybhoy-Vultures mate,Jefferies is another one.
I thought Owen Coyle was very knowledgeable on ESPN on Saturday . He also appeared to be very genuine in his affection for Celtic
Henrik on Shortbread now
Perez misses a sitter, should have been 2-2
thanks fanadpatriot
just forwarded the details to him
Ref been good in this game, letting things flow and not falling for dodgy dives.
I’m afraid the final result will be 2:3.
@celticfc
#Celtic: Forster; Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Izaguirre; Brown, Wanyama, Ledley, Mulgrew; Samaras, Hooper (LB)
Forster
Lustig Wilson Efe Izzy
Brown Chic Vic Ledley Sammy
Hoops
RC saying sally fired the 1 o’clock gun today at Edinburgh Castle……..how the hell did they get him into the barrel ..?? …….. Switched to RS, since RC seem to be concentrating on zombiies 2, on CL night …….’nought said….
Tonight is a night to hold our heads up high and not to be afraid of the dark.Celtic never walk alone.This is a night for us to enjoy we are playing at the very top table of World club football our young team will learn so much from this encounter they can go from youngsters to men in European football tonight.H.H.
Pf Ayr
I don’t in any way doubt Owen’s support, I just find it really patronising that these guys show negligible interest in scottish football whilst they are managing in the “best league in the world”.
IMHO it would be good if they occasionally popped up on Shortbread or Snyder, whilst in employment and shared their views.
Come on you boys in Green
Go out enjoy yourself play to your standards and learn loads from the best club team in the world.
Proud of my team
Clashcitybhoy
The radio stations only employ Huns and lickspittles
Coyle and others are far too reasonable, honest and too ardent CFC fans for the radio
Gaun the Tic
HH
a wee iffy about wilson, carrying a thigh strain and all
Lustig for Matthews, and Samaras for Watt.
I reckon Adam Matthews has an injury?
Lucky Celtic tee shirt donned, blackcurrant dioralyte downed, now for the Queesn Park Cafe.
Hail, Hail and Keep the Faith!!