Celtic had the better of the opening 30 minutes against an accomplished Atletico Madrid team in this evening’s Europa League clash but after losing what will be considered a bad goal from a defensive perspective, were corralled by the visitors, who were content to tighten the game and play on the break.
Arda Turan’s blistering shot from outside the box should have been blocked, but Beram Kayal won this season’s Regi Blinker European Endeavour award and ducked out of the way, only a few yards in front of the helpless Fraser Forster, who did well to get a hand on the ball but could not stop it.
Celtic were a goal behind after 3 minutes in the corresponding fixture in Madrid and should have been behind inside 60 seconds when Eduardo Salvio was gifted a free header from 6 yards but he failed to hit the target.
Celtic soon settled with Georgios Samaras again proving effective in a wide-left midfield role. Daniel Majstorovic headed a corner into the six yard box which Samaras knocked goal-wards but keeper Courtois blocked on the line.
Next Anthony Stokes found space on the left to cross for Samaras but he couldn’t keep his first-time shot from the edge of the area down as Celtic had Atletico on the back foot, however, the goal would settle the visitors and clearly spread some dissonance among the home team.
Neil Lennon lost Joe Ledley to a twisted ankle seven minutes from half time and changed tactics at half time when Victor Wanyama went off with a dead leg, sacrificing five in the middle for a 4-4-2 but chances were few in the second half as Atletico defended effectively.
Georgios Samaras, who ran tirelessly and threw himself into challenges with no shortage of bravery while playing with space to exploit on the left, looked uncomfortable in the latter part of the game when playing with Gary Hooper as a front pair.
Hooper had the ball in the net but was judged offside after Stokes knocked the ball onto him. Ki fired a 25-yard free-kick on target midway through the half forcing a fine save from Courtius before Fraser Forster made two excellent saves, one from a remarkable Diego free kick from a tight angle that was heading for the top corner and another when he stopped Juanfran.
Celtic laid siege to the Atletico goal for the final five minutes but could not find an opening.
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Hail hail the Celts are here.
Might not suit the hun agenda in the media,but Celts still in it ,have not
been embarrassed in any euro games ,pay our bills on time and still
have the best fans in the world .
I watch a fair bit of amature football here, there is a team who would be about div 30 just up the road and IMO they would blow any team in the spl, apart form Celtic, off the park, given honest refereeing.
Point is, we did good tonight against a team that are playing in a league on a different planet than ours, we should be proud of the bhoys, not slag them off.
But I suppose it’s in the nature of huns and glory hunters to be what they are, huns and glory hunters.
Tell ya what – I may as well give ma tuppence since im winning the popularity contest on here tonight.
Sabre
Forster 6 – Agree
Matthews 7 – Agree
Big Dan 6 – Id go 5.
Glenda 7 – Id go 5 (only because he managed to cover for Big Dan a couple of times)
Ledley 7 (we really do miss him when he’s not around – remember Ibrox?) – Agree (poor lad is having a terrible week)
Forrest 6 – At most. He struggled from 10 mins on. Didnt contribute much and needs to learn that when he thinks he has been fouled – to claim for the foul as he is tracking back. We used to give Aiden pelters when he didnt track back – the wee man looked knackered out there (I hope thats what it was anyway)
Ki 5 – Id go 4. Il use a lesser example of a free kick with 4-5 mins to go near the half way line, which encapsulated him being on an entirely different page to anyone else. Big Dan was on his way up, everyone else was positioning themselves for a long free kick and he passed it to the guy standing a foot from him without even looking up.
Kayal 6 – 7 (only a 7 because of the goal, his workrate was commendable after)
Wanyama 7 – Such a shame the man with the broadest shoulders on the planet went off.
Samaras 7 – Agree. The highest I have given him in a long time. If he displays the same endeavour in every other game from now on – all yous on your high horses, listen to how quickly to growls will turn to silence and then into encouragement.
Stokes 7 – Agree. Didnt agree with the substitution – put in a great shift. Lennon seems to have man managed him very very well.
All in all and individually no one let anyone down, all gave their all (fitness levels dubious) and with the right tactical nous these disappointments could turn on their head.
Id take a centre half pairing of Wanyama and K Wilson if I had to – but an aggressive centre half in January whilst being too late for the Europa, might save the league.
ElDiego
EWO is from excellent Celtic stock I can vouch for that. I actually sat with his brother at the game tonight.
He does talk some pish at times though :)))
Vic Ajax says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:27
Indeed. And there will be no enquiry why a certain nationality of manager is getting teams to cup semi finals in England.
2 of the 4 teams in the scottish league cup semi finals have Irish managers. If that statistic rises to 3 out of 4 in the scottish cup semis, then expect some legislation from the scottish goverment to defend against the ‘offensive’ behaviour of ‘that type’ coming over here and stealing our jobs.
ElDiegoBhoy says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:33
Apologies for having such expert opinions.
It follows me around like a shadow it really does
ElDiegoBhoy @ 22:33
Cheers for the head-up. Wish I’d known.
I detest Bouncyboy team mates :((((
I`ve enjoyed the three Europa League matches at Celtic Park. A lot better than the Champions League on ITV! :-)
Come on the Bhoys!
We were good first half and absolutely woeful second half. In the second half they looked like they had a couple of extra men as they continually picked up any loose balls, or won 50/50 tackles,
Once again i’m sorry to say Lenny has not a scooby when it comes to subs. A manager brings on subs if players are under-performing individually or not playing as a team collectively. For these reasons can anyone tell me why Forrest and Ki were still on the park at the end of 90mins ?
Fortunes Favour Mibbes says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:28
Oh dear – you are one of them.
Im at a loss at these guys who, I guess trying to get the last word or boot in, in a futile attempt at winning what is quite frankly – an online internet debate, resort to the old ‘your a hun’
Get a life big man
That stuff was left behind in the school playground
Kayal ducked or not ducked, heard shout or not heard shout? It all does not matter. He was on the line and should have not let the ball in. Could turn around and get it on his back. Goal was his mistake.
Fraser Forster played very well. Not my type of the goalkeeper becouse I don’t like those who are not commanding defense line. That is one of the difference between him and Boruc. Another difference is that Boruc was playing goalkeeper, Forster is only goalkeeper. Still one of the best Celtic players from that team now.
FFM
See my post at 22.35 buddy.
The Comfortable Collective says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:36
LMAO
“Down with this sorta thing”
But a very good point sir! No Scottish manager or player worth their salt wants to be in this league. Far too crap. In fact all those that goo elsewhere are the last of what use to make Scotland a good footballing nation.
McGeady had it right, said his reason and was proven right. Go oan yirsel son!!!
Fantastic turnout today on the march in Glasgow.
Stand together.
PF Ayr,
Orange juice tonight I’m sorry to say.
I thought Kayal was decent tonight, but not great. Wanyama does things so much more effectively and efficiently than Kayal. He was charging in making it easy to pass around him. He ctually reminded me a bit of Scott Brown on one or two occassions tonight – too much chasing and not enough thought. I like him, just don’t think he is anywhere near the levels he set last season.
Also, I know we want to give him the benefit of the doubt – but whatever way you dress it up, he needed some quick reactions to get out of the way of that shot. He got out of the road of it and as a result caused the goal. Immediate 1 point deduction for that alone.
Glenda – bombscare normally, but thought he played well tonight and mostly did exactly what a central defender needs to do – won plenty in the air and closed down the strikers well. I wouldn’t have him anywhere near my team if I had other options, but credit where it’s due.
Ki is David McCallum, for those of a certain age. Loves the ball when things are going well, invisible when they are not.
PF ayr,mind if I ask how you feel about Neil Lennon?.
hamiltontim says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:35
Dont make me have to bring up your opinions of Lennon in his hey day Celtic playing days hamiltontim….. lmao
hamiltontim
Cheers for that.
He’s a boring tosser in my eyes no matter how passionate he is about our club.
I’ll happily scroll past him in future. Like I do with many others.
Take care.
Zbyszek says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:40
Fair enough but tough conditions make for mistakes. At on point the AM players gave up on trying to flight a corner into the box cos the wind was that bad.
Not making excuses just giving reasons.
hamiltontim says @ 22:11
You’ve actually been selective in quoting what I wrote. Are you a politician?
What I actually said was “Tonight was an opportunity for the Celtic players to continue being WINNERS. Tonight they became losers again and I find that hard to accept.” You could have selected a part of the quote and said I called the team ‘Winners’.
I’d have to disagree with you in that I’ve higher expectations of this team than just winning at Tannadice on Saturday. This team, young as they are had put together an impressive winning sequence going into tonight’s game. Tonight was their opportunity to show Europe that Celtic are a team to be reckoned with and they were capable of pulling it off. I don’t believe I need a reality check, no, I believe in this team and it’s that belief that makes the manner of this defeat so galling.
If the team and its supporters have a mindset that says their priority is a Tannadice win rather than a Europa win against Atletico Madrid then, my friend, we’ve a problem
I thought Kayal was absolutely brilliant….last season!
This season I’m hugely disappointed by his indifferent performances with Broonie like headless chicken meandering and failing to cover runs from midfield. This bhoy definately has what it takes to go far in the game, but he either isn’t being coached/motivated properly or he’s got an attitude problem.
A disciplined, motivated and focused Beram could drive us on to the title, but at the moment Victor and Joe look better options in midfield.
Hopefully we’ll get the BK and also Kris Commons from last season.
Graham Obree on STV just now trying to explain what might have happened with Gary Speed. Sobering stuff.
TTTT
HT,
fair play to ye
FFM, EWO, at the risk of jumpin intae the middle of a midden…. you’re two posters I respect, and two tims… gee it a brek
I am very sensitive ;)
Decent performance against a very decent la liga outfit tonight.
Sammi continues to perplex, there is definitely a player in there and Berim is defo getting back to his best. Ki must show more.
Onto Sunday and the feeling is good considering where we were a month or so ago.
Finally, big shout to the GB again tonight. Couldni make it tonight due to work but they were a credit as always.
ElDiegoBhoy says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:42
Then why do you seem to pick up on what I write then ya plank!?
Now dont be breaking that keyboard responding coz Il not be reading it!
murdochbhoy says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:43
This team needs to learn to win big first and for me thats winning the bread and butter that is the sphell.
Then we work on whats to come.
While the EL is a nice distraction,as far as I’m concerned,if we lose Ledley for any significant length of time,that would be more damaging than the defeat tonight,we simply cannot afford any more injuries to key players.
EWO
I think you may be mistaking me for Mick. I loved Lenny as a player. It was our follically challenged friend who thought otherwise.
Paddy- Anonymous v Rennes, matchwinner v Motherwell
Kayal- Hopeless v Killie, Superb tonight
Hooper- Also hopeless v Killie, Hat trick v St Mirren
Sammy- Anonymous v ICT, sublime tonght
Ki- Matchwinner v ICT, anonymous tonight
Geddit? That’s football.
Eyes Wide Open @ 22:40
Not really.
I can humbly accept (as long as HT can confirm you didn’t steal his login name) that again I was mistaken in labelling you a hun.
But you did misrepresent me in a way that got my wee princess feelings into turmoil.
IMO tis better to out behaviour like that as hunnery, and be mistaken, rather than to let hun misrepresentation go on unchecked, no?
And you owe me a pint for that misrepresentation.
If you’re no taller than 5ft 6, no heavier than 9 stone, are over 50 yrs of age, and are unable to walk without using a zimmer frame, I’ll gladly meet you in person to let you buy me that attritional pint.
But if you refuse to concur and/or can’t meet those conditions, I’ll understand that, as Bouncyboy needs that charity himself.
All in all, it should’ve been a draw. At least!
i have seen somebody on here saying that Kayal maybe got a shout from FF to leave it? – my god some people have obviously not played football before!!! a keeper does not shout to leave a shot
Kayal did not duck out of it – he has went down to head it up but has went down to far (possibly the swirling wind has taken it up further) – by swinging a leg at it, it could have/would have ended up the same result
decent half an hour – then AM’s class showed – nothing to be embarrased about for this young team still learning the game never mind the european game
KTF
Jeromek67 says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:40
Once again i’m sorry to say Lenny has not a scooby when it comes to subs. A manager brings on subs if players are under-performing individually or not playing as a team collectively. For these reasons can anyone tell me why Forrest and Ki were still on the park at the end of 90mins ?
Because Ledley & Wanyama had to go off injured so therefore were enforced changes in first half/half time, and Stokes had led the line alone all night and was knackered.
Manager did well tonight, his team selection, formation, way we played in first half were spot on as we competed with a better team, Wanyama injury changed that.
Who cares about EL?
We only have one priority..We all know what that is.
One thing, I’m pleased about is that all the Sammi -haters are having their eyes opened..
Just one comment after tonight’s game – could somebody please explain to Anthony Stokes that when a referee has his arm in the air that means an indirect free-kick which means you can’t shoot straight at goal?
Embarrassing that he doesn’t know that.
Thought we played well tonight and for a wee but of luck could have got something from this game. To be fair a draw was the same as a defeat as it left us needing a win.
Don’t forget we were up against a CB from the copa American winners and WC semi finalists in Diego godin. His CB partner is a brazil internationalist. 3 of their frontline cost a combined £80m albeit Falcoa only hit last 20mins.
We missed big Victor when he went off. Ki didn’t have a great but I don’t understand the abuse and criticism he gets. He came on recently against ICT and changed the game.
SffS
Vic Ajax says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:46
You can’t beat a winning habit.
I’ve got to take my leave Bhoys.
Good night to all and God Bless.
HT/ JimmyQuinnsBits
Noted fholks. Gentleman that I am, I’ve left it in EWO’s half to pass back the baw of peace back to me. It’s the kind of ghuy I am.
hamiltontim says:
30 November, 2011 at 22:46
Na, you were definitely in that camp! Not anywhere near where the wee man was at (voodoo dolls and all)
Il be able to call on witnesses a lot sooner now (take it Sean told you he has changed the Cyprus wedding plan) Il be able to get over to a game!