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.
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I suppose everybody are watching the X factor results tonight :>)
I have the pleasure of them in stereo, oh the feckin joy……
Yesterday Wanyama, at 6,2″, according to UEFA stats, seemed to win most aerial challenges from corners in the opponent’s box. He seems to be fearless in the way he attacks the ball in the air and/or has an ability to make space, due to his physical power, as well as read the flight of the ball; the header that crashed off the crossbar in the later stages of the game being a case in point. He has to be careful not to pick up a yellow card as he’ll have to serve a suspension and he’s becoming a vital player in the Celtic team.
Youths through after coming from behind to beat hertz
feedthebhear
20:17 on
21 October, 2012
Youths through after coming from behind to beat hertz
=======
What was the score
I love the positivity we are hearing but I fully expect the very late heartbreaking winner. No matter how far we may have come and Tuesday is the real test it will be highly revealing. We have come a long way from Sion FC and thats a credit to Neil and the club and the players. I think the pace of the game might not necessarily kilo us and I do believe that we will meet a weaker Barca side than Moscow did and therefore a more commited Barca. I do not envisage many dead ball opportunities to take advantage of. I think our best bet is to play it as tight as we can for the 1st 45 and then in the second become more adventurous and pray Mrs. Messi goes into labour three hours before kick off.
HH
glad to be playing against the great barca, hope the bhoys learn from it and enjoy it, it’ll help sell the club and if we get something – wow
2 1 atajic and lindsay
One thing, football will be played the correct way on Tuesday night.
Bma
celticrollercoaster loves Wee Oscar, our Celtic Warrior
18:13 on 21 October, 2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20022365
Corporation tax is usually at 24% on profits yet this is all they paying?
i’ve been trying to check where the newest member of the scottish league is in the league and the web page keeps crashing. is it trying to tell me something ?
i was going to try a joke about there being 20 something teams which could split the old firm – ah well, another time maybe
The most notable improvement over the last two European campaigns, is that we keep our shape during games and don’t leave so many gaps.
If we can stop giving away easy possession in the middle of the park, then we will be very difficult to beat.
Whither or which, it will be an education for our team.
MWD/CRC
Free?? In that case put the wife down for a ticket too ;-)
Knoxy
Ggh
Very true …. They are trying to convince themselves its a big journey and most have done an emu …
I lurk on rm …. Its so funny
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A5wSHzvCUAAqGCi.jpg
So True
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
Barca have that amazing ability to up their game dramatically at any point in the game.
We are going to need a lot of luck to get the 3 points.
The main thing is that our young players are going to get some serious and top of the class education win, lose or draw.
If Barca treat us like we are Man U or Real Madrid, at this moment, they would really hurt us.
There will be goals a plenty for both sides as well IMO. I’d rather big Pique wasn’t back though.
Leavin derry at 2.00 the night to get early morning flight from dublin 2maro to get flight to barcelona… Do i crack open a beer or try get a few hours sleep?
beer it is… Bring on barca… hail hail!!
Now! Now! Knoxy. Don’t take advantage of our good nature. Leona’s is free. Yours is £50.
Ha! Ha!
;-)) see you both there. Might even give you a seat beside the WAGS if your nice.
MWD
ttt
Back to agreeing again :>)
I posted this after the game yesterday, tis all about ball retention.
………………………………………..
Stunning first half performance.
Composed in the second half.
It’s no like me to be negative about the team, but…..if we give the ball away against Barca like we did for much of the game today, they will murder us.
We will really need to keep the ball better.
Virtually every chance they had was from us giving the ball away.
Brother Murray was as usual shocking today.
McDowellCelt
20:53 on
21 October, 2012
mate did you get rid of that spare ticket you had for Barcelona?
jimmybhoycampbell
Poll on FF who’s to blame ??
Surprised at the voting
Murray 66%
Whyte 33%
Others 1% presume the hidden Fenian hand
Doctor Whatfor
*from much earlier*
Ah – yes ‘The Fuhrer was a beautiful dancer, and he could dance the pants off of Winnie –
he couldn’t even say Natzi’s – he would say Nazzzi’s’
Heil Heil
does anyone have a link to the photo of sally in his designer tracksuit from yesterdays game
Jimmybhoy,
the ticket is gone sorry pal…
but if you go to ticket office at nou camp or go online now to barca official website u will be able to buy a ticket and collect it from ticket office 2maro or tuesday… 3 of the boys travelling with us need to pick up tickets 2maro at nou camp….
McDowellCelt
21:07 on
21 October, 2012
cheers for that
my son went over to vancouver couple of weeks ago…anyone know a good csc for the barca game…cheers.
theweegreenman
20:36 on
21 October, 2012
Agreed. Starbucks says they have made losses in the UK for last 10 years (hence the lack of tax paid), but the US company charge the UK company 6% royalties, which is reported as being high. Worked in a multi-national group before where we tried to shift legitimately (?) profits to the countries with the lowest tax rate.
UK tax authorities have the right to challenge this under transfer pricing, but sometimes we have political intervention.
HH
CRC
jc2
surprised at that -what about liewell etc.
i have to say i’m glad the truth is sinking in about the regime which knackered oldco up. maybe it’ll be the start of redemption
Jackie Mac, redemption? For that lot. Armageddon right enough, the end is nigh!:-)
Jackie mac
posts in the thread are more surprised that Whyte got as much as 33%
TET,
Agreed.
A good night’s sleep seems to have helped you regain your uncommon sense!
Barcabhoy recommend the Botofumiero.
Very nice place, fantastic service.
Petec
I take heart from our previous record at the Nou Camp and the fright Moscow gave them and Busquets, Pique and Puyol not playing.
As long as they beat us and not the ref I will be happy. Make no mistake every neutral is expecting us to get hammered.
If we dont freeze and they are not given any haunders we wont embarrass ourselves if we keep 11 on the park.
Foster
Lustig Efe Wanyama Izzy
Commons Brown Ledley Mulgrew
Samaras
Hooper
HH
Doc
come armageddon
come armageddon
come
every day is like fft day
da da da
Jimmybhoycambell
In Molly’s Fair City in Calle Fran, next to Plaza Real.
I’m the big guy at the end of the bar, come in for a beer.
Just noticed this at the Star Trek convention…
Yet some unique things have happened at Destination Star Trek, which runs at London’s Excel Centre until Sunday.
It has hosted the UK’s first Klingon wedding – the bride and groom were Swedish – and broken the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of fans dressed as Star Trek characters.
Mark Hateley claims it is like a new signing…
Jackie Mac, their day is coming soon.
Jc2, I’m a bit surprised that Whytes gets as high a % as he does, Murrays propaganda still has an effect. A fair few will still blame the unseen Fenian hand, it’s all a big conspiracy.
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
The Nou Camp will witness 2 footballing teams. There is no doubt about that.
I am loving Neil’s mindset.
If we lose 8-4 there, I certainly won’t be perturbed. I’ve commented before about the dynamics of the Group.
Smart Cookie is oor Boss.
We really are on the Road again and you really must believe me. ;)
GonnaeSignMaSunburn
21:22 on
21 October, 2012
thanks, arriving Barca airport at 9pm, will drop my stuff at hotel and get over there after that, much appreciated, cant wait,,
jimmybhoycampbell
ttt
I will be guided by BT and OT.
Don’t suppose will be doing too much eating anyways.
Actually don’t have a bad feeling about the game, can’t see us winning mind you.
……………………………………………………
Awe Naw
I sort of like that team, don’t think Lenny will tho…..