Fifa yesterday banned Benfica and Brazil central defender Luisão from all football activities until November for knocking a referee unconscious in a preseason game against Fortuna Dusseldorf in August.
Benfica didn’t expect Luisão to be available for tonight’s Champions League game against Celtic but the decision, coming a day before kick-off, will do nothing for morale. While they lost midfielders Javi Garcia and Axel Witsel to Manchester City and Zenit late in the transfer window, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Benfica spent well over £20m this summer. The new guys will no doubt eventually prove their worth, but right now they remain very much the new guys. Celtic have to make them feel a long way from home tonight.
During our last successful Champions League group stage in 2007 we concluded that it was more important not to make mistakes at this level than to try to score the perfect goal. If we get a solid performance from Scott Brown and Victor Wanyama in front of a defence which clears its lines and takes no chances, the stage will be set for James Forrest and Gary Hooper. I expect both to hurt Benfica.
It was interesting to hear our chief executive take questions on the subject of EBTs and the health of our club yesterday. More on this after the matter in hand has passed.
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The seagulls were right for the first bit……
Hooper injured or tactical? Interesting….
Shame for Watt, but understandably Neil had gone for an experienced lone striker.
Still a very strong side, despite the absentees.
I didn’t see enough in Miku on Saturday to suggest he will set the Heather on fire but Neil obviously does.
Hoops has certainly been a pale shadow of his former self, but then the MIB allow opponents to kick lumps out of him with impunity.
I would say it’s 4-4-1-1 with Lustig/Matthews right, Izzy/Mulgrew left and Commons behind Miku.
Hooper injured?
More than any other player, I would love to see Izzy have a stormer tonight – if he wants me to pray for him, I will. (Indexfingersup)
Reported on the news that Hooper’s been struggling with an injury for a couple of days.
No details of the injury.
harryhoodsdugbitme
Do us proud
Rock it man !
Hail Hail and Good Luck tonight Bhoys, We’re all counting on you. ; )
KLV
Latest Frum the Boardwalk.
Alyss, says. the Rune Sticks.. say
“Celtic , will conduct themselves most befittingly, in tonight’s important encounter.”
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Reckon Neil’s well knarked with Tommy Rogne.
Huge night for a defence that hasn’t played terribly often before…
All else fine. Assuming BSR’s post earlier about Hoops being injured has meant Miku up front.
Expect to see Lassad after an hour.
Gotta go. Celtic are playing.
The nerves are jingling now.
Come Celtic do us proud!
Just watched the team arrive at CP on SSN Italia – on a Park’s coach (!).
The presenter said – ‘And now to one of the temples of European football’: Celtic Park in Glasgow!
Well said that mhan!
C’mon the HOOPS!
HH!!
Celtic team… No Hooper?
The injury curse strikes again (Hooper)
With the amount of key players we have missing, i’ll happily take a point this evening
Duo Lustig-Wilson seems 2B more question than answer on the other hand i would play Miku b4 Hooper anyway, injury or not.
Scene (for me): Johannesburg Airport – Take off – About 1.5 hrs
Thoughts: Hope the wife and kids are OK. Hope Celtic do well tonight. Hope Ross County beat St Johnstone on Saturday, as well as scoring their first goal in open play this season. Hope I don’t get too pished at Loopallu this weekend. Hope I get someone to fill my two seat at Viccy Park on Saturday……would have been only one if Roy MacGregor hadn’t voted no-to-Newco. Hmmmmm …dream dream…..when Ross County go to Celtic Park two days before Christmas…..Celtic are fillaffthe European glory thoughts …..we might nick our favoured 0-0…ha ha
A boost from the Benfica starting XI
Cardozo on the bench
Like the Team.
And
Really, Like..’
Darlin’ Charlie.. in the Left Middy position.
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
SK-Bhoy
Hooper has a great goalscoring record in Europe for us
He will be a big miss
What is this I am feeling? Is it pre Champions League night buzz? It sure is…….
Yeee haaaaa
Come on you Bhoys in green, Glasgow’s green and white! Excited about tonight and been feeling upbeat all day, which has not been the norm for me recently, wife must be putting something in my tea.
IMHO the European games were the making of us last season, we seem to be able to raise our game against European opposition, hopefully tonight will be no exception, keep it tight for the first 20 – 25 minutes and don’t make any stupid mistakes. Would prefer to see Emilio concentrate solely on defending tonight.
Hail! Hail! To one and all PMTYH
Hoops is a big game player it’s a blow he’s not fit all our hopes are on Miku who has played 58 mins in the Hoops, mon the Miku the time is now the place is here!!
News from inside stadium. It’s cold. Largely empty. But the floodlights are shining through the watery Glasgow sunset. Nowhere else I’d rather be!
And here come the Hoops!!!!!
Could be the making of Miku Tonight, The big man and young Tony and Hoops if he’s fit.
KLV
enjoy Italiabhoy.
KLV
Without Hoops a draw will do me
I reckon Izzy will have been identified as a weak link. Watch for lots of ball in behind him.
Cmon the hoops.
Cmon the GB.
tuff to predict with so many injuries but i think we need all 3 pts from tonight if we stand any chance of qualifying.
KLV
Alex O’Henley @UEFAcomAlexO
Gary #Hooper has an ankle knock from weekend game v St Johnstone
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Both squads warming up. They look a but more balletic than us. Big mjallby still a man mountain, directing operations in the middle. Small Benfica support I reckon less than 1000. They are huddling together against the chill.
Can I finish my lasagne in time to step inside the Cunard Bar (already beTimmed) before the game starts?
Lets hope for a performance to be proud of.
so that’s why his (hooper) touch was off on Sat, all these wee unpunished niggles are costing us as the weeks go by. The Club need to speak to the SFA about the amount of late tackles and bad decisions already this season, we are losing a player a game just about. Anyway that’s for another day. Mon the Hoops!!!!!!!!!
KLV