Outrageous results, and a 4-5 win is an outrageous result, could be seen as reason for encouragement by future opponents, but Barcelona played the majority of the game against Deportivo with 10 men, scored an own goal, conceded from a penalty and their keeper made a mistake for another, yet they still scored five goals and won the game.
That is formidable form.
On Tuesday evening Celtic face one of the greatest teams in history but there is reason for confidence. We have been to the Camp Nou three times in the last decade, a 0-0 draw in 2004 was enough to eliminate the Catalans from Europe. Later in 2004 we recorded our only away point in the Champions League, prior to beating Spartak Moscow in the last game, and we lost there to a single goal four years later.
Each Barcelona side was vastly more talented but they found each Celtic team a handful.
Any team which takes a point or more from Barca this season will have to man the barricades for long stretches of each game, will have to show enormous concentration and discipline, and take whatever luck is going. If Celtic do this, they will have one inherent advantage over the home team on Tuesday.
There will be changes in the starting 11 for both teams but a cursory look at yesterday’s starting line ups is educational. Eight out of Barca’s 10 outfield players were under six foot, six of them (Jordi Alba, Iniesta, Mascherano, Messi, Montoya and Villa) three or four inches below. Celtic’s smallest player, Gary Hooper, is only two inches below.
Seven Celts were six foot or higher. Ambrose, Wilson and Mulgrew are all 6’3”, taller than anyone in the Barca team, while non-starters, Lustig and Samaras, are 6’3” and 6’4” respectively. Celtic’s outfield players were, on average, more than three inches taller than their Barcelona counterparts.
Even the Barcelona keeper, Valdes, at 6’0”, is a bit on the short side, seven inches below Fraser Forster.
Height doesn’t make you a better player, or collectively, a better team, but it does instil an enormous advantage at set pieces. Celtic must defend when necessary but any free kick inside the Barcelona half is an opportunity to drop a ball onto an elevated Celtic head inside the box.
Play to your strengths, Celtic. Keep strategy simple, and your probability of taking something on Tuesday will increase significantly. You have everything to play for.
Fancy writing an article for the ever-popular CQN Magazine or maybe advertising therein? If so get in touch, celticquicknews@gmail.com.
Click here to read the fabulous CQN Magazine for free, or strain your eyes squinting below. You can also buy a hard copy of the magazine here from Magcloud.
[calameo code=000390171a36dad35d58c lang=en page=44 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
514 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 14
- »
Eat your hertz oot, mccall…..LOL
Vp
Cheers mate
Adolf black … Apart from being a nazi hun…. Ian black and adolf hitler have a common profession … Painter / decorator
We are all Adolf Black. I’m editing a typo. Not actually declaring. FFS what a mess I’m in now. Wish I hadn’t started.
Glasgow bhoy
Im still here … Lurking on the rm site and laughing my moobs off ;)))))
The Boy Jinky
Adolf wisnae all bad…noo that bassa Black GRR
Disclaimer, I AM KIDDIN
Hail hail
Doctor
I know what you mean ….. Heres a bigger spade for you to dig that hole …
Dont worry though cos theres an old witch darn sarth who im hoping pops her clogs this year just to round off a brilliant 2012 … The state funeral can utilise that hole you dug then ;)
Would it be too much to ask for us to play in the Hoops against Barca, with white socks?
Jinky
The hole will never be deep enough for her.
Where there is despair let me bring hope.
MWD
I wish Olivia and Peter would get their collective finger oot, I must have had a world record of posts going woosh……
Am I the only one who is heading into Tuesday night with an enormous feeling of optimism?
I really think we can sneak a draw which would be one of our best ever away results in Europe.
My team would be (assuming we can only play 11 players! :o) )
Forster
Matthews, Efe, Wilson, Izzy
Forrest, Ledley, Victor, Brown, Sammy
Hooper
I can’t find a place int he team for Mulgrew, Commons, Kayal or Rogne which shows the strength and depth we have these days.
Forrest, Sammy and Hooper will be the main attacking threat supported on rare occasions by Brown and Ledley.
Minceyheidman
Red socks worked against Leeds.
Vp
Your probably right about hitler … He maybe did a very good job of paper hanging at reasonable prices and im guessing he always participated in movember.
No ones all bad ;)
Doctor point taken but I no longer watch games on a black and white crt.
I just really do not see the black socks thing.
Somebody must have liked it?
Doctor
Some on here are adam ant that it was prince charming ……. Hmmmm .. I meant it waa orange socks worn against leeds…. Did you ever :)
Thinking about tues and dreaming of the possibility of taking a point off Barca in the Nou Camp,
When the Helsinki player scored at paradise to put them one up my heart sank, At that moment tuesday seemed a million miles away but here we are on the brink of another adventure that we may be talking about in years to come.
When we beat Helsingborg to reach the group stages all my European ambitions for this season had been met financial security overtook my football dreams for a while.
I would have bit your hand off for third place when the draw was made (swithering whether I still would) :)) but Neil and his Bhoys have relit my dreams of more why cant we finish second, why cant we take something off Barca ,With this young team I am beginning to dream of glory,the way I did years ago that fire in my belly that said bring them on no matter who they are.
If we get done over there it will not dampen the hope I have for this group SOOOOOOO I think it was AWE NAW who posted a wee old saying “WE WILL SEE”
HAIL HAIL
The Pope wears red socks.
Why?
To keep his feet warm allegedly.
We are all red/orange socks. And the Ants.
Sunderland look a poor side on the evidence of today
10 man Newcastle will never have an easier afternoon
leftclicktic
Great post…..someone standing in for you?:O)
Blame Mort for my re-posting of some old classics……….
TBM
A LETTER TO DAD
A father entered his daughter’s bedroom and saw a letter on the bed.
With the worst premonition and trembling hands, he read:
Dear Mum and Dad,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I’m telling you that I’ve
eloped with my new boyfriend. I’ve found real love and he is so nice.
Especially with all his piercings, scars, tattoos, and his big motorcycle.
Not only that, I’m pregnant, and Billy Boy Paisley said that we will be very happy in his caravan in the woods. He wants to have many more children with me and that’s one of my dreams.
I’ve learned that marijuana doesn’t hurt anyone and we’ll be growing
it for us and his friends. They’re the one’s providing us with all the
cocaine and ecstasy we could ever want. In the meantime, we’ll pray for science to find the AIDS cure, so that Billy Boy Paisley gets better. He deserves it.
Don’t worry about money. Billy Boy Paisley has arranged for me to be in films that his friends Leroy and Jamal make in their basement. Apparently I can earn £50 a scene. I get a £50 bonus if there are more than three men in the scene.
Don’t worry Mum. Now I’m 15 years old, I know how to take care of
myself.
Someday I’ll visit you and Dad so that you can meet your grandchildren.
Your loving daughter, Bridget………………………….
…………………………………..See below………………………………………………..
p.s: Dad, it’s not true. I’m watching TV at a neighbour’s house. I just wanted to show you that there are worse things in life than getting beat 2 – 1 at Motherwell and losing the league with 3 minutes to go!……….
Major crowd control issue at Celtic Park next home game if Efe Ambrose scores-
Due to multi-lateral movement issues Green Brigade have been warned about trying a “Lets all do the Efe” triple somersault and twist !
This Sunderland Newcastle game is appalling. Best league in the world?
Maybe it’s time for MON to call Lenny for some advice.
Whatever you think of their politics and personalitites, this kind of thing is just vomit-inducing.
FM Alex Salmond @AlexSalmond
A privilege and an honour to have @NicolaSturgeon working as my deputy leader (EG)
Back to the football
Snake
In fairness Newcastle have 10 men but Sunderland have been appalling
MONs overly cautious approach to the game has robbed Sunderland of a great opportunity to get one over their local rivals
I just managed to drag myself upright and outta bed…..feel sick as a dog…like I’ve got someone else’s hangover+…….I blame Thatcher; everything today is a direct result of her evil,including people like Sour Minty and Chuckles Green. If not for that horrendous auld bitch we would never have had her illegitimate children ‘New Labour’ poncing about for 12 yrs and then giving birth to The Claggeron.
I’m going back to bed. I can’t even watch football I feel that sick. Adolf Thatcher & Margaret Hitler…..they did it.
Didn’t the unfancied Rubin Kazan bet Barca in the Nou Camp a couple of seasons back in the Champions League??
Just saying like..
bet= beat
Ba og
The Makems equalise.
MON wins a get out of jail card
voguepunter
Thank you AGAIN for making me smile :)))
Snake Plissken wins the world record for shortest ever goal report on a blog
exiled_bhoy
Where do you live in Denmark ?
Forget the X Box and Play Station
look what is back
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Search/searchTerms/9332621.htm
Thanks Santa
Only a really heavy defeat against barca in the camp nou will be a baf result for celtic. we have nothing to lose.
Being a Celtic fan has it’s ups and downs.
A bit of a rollercoaster,in fact.
CELTICROLLERCOASTER has decided to out himself,rather than be dobbed in.
Pity he dobbed someone else as well,ya clipe….
BTW,the badge is in the possesion of my niece-she is going next wek.
Job done-thanks,buddy!
~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
celticrollercoaster loves Wee Oscar, our Celtic Warrior
12:52 on 21 October, 2012
As recommended by BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
12:21 on 21 October, 2012
“My thanks to THE GLASGOW CELTIC WAY for your excellent company on Sat 6 Oct)
The rest have 24 hours or so to avoid being named and shamed.
That was my first time of meeting any CQNers,and I recommend it to any shrinking violets on here. Great night with great lads,one and all.”
Although I would not have called minxy a lad :-)
The next big night planned is the Race & Auction night at Celtic Park on 17th November in aid of Wee Oscar and his family. It would be great to see as many CQNers there is as possible in support of Wee Oscar. It promises to be a great night with good company, very special guests and fantastic prizes (auction 7 raffle) which can only be won on the night.
Do you really want to miss out? Get your tickets now before they are all gone. Still some corporate tables left and indeed some horses and jockeys still for sale.
On another subject did you know that sevco holds the world record for the most attending a race & auction night at 399. Do you really want this record to remain?
weeoscar4life@gmail.com
HH
CRC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~
Go on,lads-you know it makes sense.
Every penny spent on that cause is well spent.
You might even meet some decent fellas. An added bonus is that I won’t be there.
2 attempts on target against 10 men
I would be going ballistic if i was a Sunderland fan
Thankfully i follow a side where attacking football is ingrained into their psyche :)
The Spirit of Arthur Lee
Still got a working Atari 2600 in the shed with two working controllers.
Junior laughed at me years ago when I brought it out and set it up, Told him it was the dogs bollox back in the day with most of the games at £14.99 -£20.00 with the good ones over £30.00. How much would that be a game in the current climate.
I remember it was a shop in Ingram St that sold the best range of games.
HH
retronostalgiacsc