For years we’ve analysed Celtic performances, wins and losses, in the rarefied Champions League environment with a recurring theme: more often than not at this level, mistakes, not great play, determines the outcome.
Last night’s top match, Juventus v Real Madrid, was no different. Real lost two goals, one from a penalty after a reckless challenge inside the box by Varane, another when the same player turned his back on the ball to watch Llorente, instead of attacking a 40 yard cross. The worst mistake came from Juventus. Instead of clearing the ball long, a defender put teammate Caceres under pressure, who could have put his laces through the ball and conceded possession 50 yards downfield, but chose to attempted to reach his keeper with a back-pass, which found Christiano Ronaldo instead.
The ‘schoolboy error’ metaphor is way overused in the game, but is never more apt than when watching the Champions League. Perhaps a bountiful source of individuals with rock-solid Superiority Complexes.
These are two of the most professional teams in the game. Their market knowledge, sports science, mental strength and tactical awareness will be as good as anyone in the game, but still this result was determined by a wayward and pointless back-pass, an equally pointless penalty box lunge and forgetting that crosses into the box take priority over watching your man.
Celtic know this well. We make fewer mistakes in Champions League games than we do in domestic football, while our recent wins benefited from opposition mistakes (penalty against Ajax, penalty against Spartak, Xavi kung-fu kick missing the ball, Spartak player red carded). Scott Brown’s off the ball indiscretion, which cost us a point, and Nir Biton’s ‘challenge’ are notable exceptions.
Ajax think they are the better team – which gives Celtic a great advantage. They think they can overwhelm us tonight, that they failed to make the most of their chances at Celtic Park and that we benefited from a couple of fortunate moments. This is a reasonable assessment based on last month’s game but know better as we’ve been watching re-runs of this script for years. Celtic’s win had nothing to do with fortune or missed chances, it came about as planned – deny the opposition space in dangerous areas, clear your lines and exploit their mistakes.
The Champions League is not about your best 89 minutes play, it’s about your worst minute, just ask a few sore-feeling footballers in Turin this morning. If Celtic avoid unenforced errors and wait patiently to exploit those a self-assured Ajax will make (no one does self-assured like Dutch footballers), they have nothing to fear. Keep 11 players on the field, don’t give away penalties (evidence elsewhere last night suggests unscrupulous players dive inside the box) or free kicks around the box, block shots from outside the box, and most of all…. clear your lines.
Do this, and our clever players will ensure that the result will take care of itself.
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Delaneys dunky.
We’ve scored more goals at this stage of the season than we did last season. At the end of the day getting the ball into the net is the best way to gauge the effectiveness of the Celtic offence.
TTTT, Weefra and Fanad……
I’ve just been diagnosed with HBP although the doc says if I wasn’t diabetic it would be within normal ranges.
Started a course of tabs about a month ago and went to give blood 2 weeks ago.
Doctor there said this would not necessarily preclude me from donating, however, they want to know the results of my next check in about 4 weeks.
If you are in any doubt speak directly to the Blood Transfusion Service and give them permission to discuss your medication with your own doctor.
When they have done this they will write to you and confirm or deny that you can donate.
It also means you do not need to go through the 5th degree at the transfusion centre, as your file will have been updated by them.
I currently take 5 different drugs a day and they still take my blood!
BT
Please make an appointment to donate. Your wee pint of blood really can make a difference……too someone else.
Or check their website and see when they are next in your area.
I know you have a good (and big) heart!
My only fear if you donate again is that your blood is green!
But I’m sure they would understand………
AP McCoy moves to within 1 win of 4,000 winners.
LB
You never got such trouble on Wogan…
A televised row on The Jeremy Kyle Show ended with a wife trying to run her husband and his father over with her camper van in Moray.
Lorna and Michael Tulloch had tried to resolve their differences on the show, the High Court in Inverness heard.
The Forres woman, 43, admitted assaulting Gordon Tulloch, 77, to his severe injury and the danger of his life at Glenburgie Distillery.
She then drove the vehicle straight at her husband.
The incident happened in August last year, after a television appearance the previous month.
Tulloch was originally charged with attempted murder.
Advocate depute Shanti Maguire told Lord Jones: “The accused and Michael had been at odds for some time which culminated in their separation.
“There is a long standing history of troubles within the marriage including allegations of infidelity on the part of Michael.
“He denies any such infidelity. These allegations culminated in the couple appearing on the Jeremy Kyle Show a few weeks before this offence.
“It is understood arguments continued between the parties until the date of this offence.”
Defence counsel Shahid Latif said he would reserve his plea in mitigation on the first offender until reports were prepared.
Lord Jones continued Tulloch’s bail but ordered her to stay away from the distillery and the Tulloch family.
Hope all you guys have a great & safe time in Amsterdam.
We are in a great place/position and the future is in our hands. NFL has done a great job continuing from WGS in that we go into the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE expecting to do something, not make up numbers. We fear no one and OWE no one, thanks to all at Celtic Football Club.
I am off to bed with alarm set for 02:00 hours, TV showing Barca & me hopefully streaming on computer.
Once more guys Be Safe
HH
Honest Mistake
You are correct, maybe I am just greedy and wish us to be more prolific.
PHILBHOY
The mobile units in my area don’t operate till 130pm.
By that time,my blood would normally have a head on it!
Always worth the effort,though. First in the queue still leaves me time for three pints before a nightshift. And they work very well under those circumstances too…..
BMCUW
I try not to drink the night before.
It’s worth the sacrifice.
But no easy sometimes!
‘Dam sure we can wipe the floor with Ajax. The following performances will have the Dutch running through Hoops;
Wee James can beat a Forrest of players with his jinking runs.
A goal from Commons will be kris-mas come early.
Van Dijk will come good with last ditch defending.
Lustig will fire in some Swede crosses.
After this game, people will say that Kayal Israeli good.
Giorgios will plays well enough to get us to the Sammi final.
Big Fraser will Forster confidence in his defenders.
Ambrose will be Efe-in brilliant.
Emilio’s performance will silence any questions such as “izzy a good player?”
Charlie’s angles will be right on FKs
They won’t mark Anthony out of the game.
HH!!!
Bada Bing and Philbhoy
Thanks
Yes, I got stung with that last year in the states.
Thank- God it was the work phone!
;)
HH.
PHILBHOY
No problem on that one-I’m always at work the night before!
DBBIA
TLWIO -so a Spanish referee couldn’t referee a French game?
Germany has borders with lots of countries.
So does Switzerland.
You would have to sit at UEFA HQ with a big Risk board in front of you and divvy up the refs.
————————————–
Ha! True !
But it is right I’m sure.
And there we have the predictions from DEXTER,our top pun-dit….
Well,he started it!
BMCUW
I’ve sent you an email, but I’m just leaving the office.
Speak tomorrow!
Take care.
Dexter
14:58 on
6 November, 2013…..
has way too much dexterity with words! braw post laddie
* billy bhoy 05
12:24 on 6 November, 2013
Micktt
The Laurieston in Ardrossan as u probably know is a right good pub on Euro nights
Ardrossan… ! Not the town i love so well, billy bhoy 05… You should have taken up the earlier offer..
Ayrshire is Green and White
HH
TBB
“A televised row on The Jeremy Kyle Show ended with a wife trying to run her husband and his father over with her camper van in Moray.”
Pity she didn’t take it out on the odious Jeremy himself…
Delaneys dunky.
That I agree with.
For too many years we’ve wasted too many chances. Compare with European opposition that get one chance and bury it.
Hail hail
Paul67
Excellent analysis.
Sod pure football mind you.
What did GS say? The team that runs fastest, tackles hardest and jumps highest ( but not necessarily in that order) wins.
Honest Mistake
Our chances created/conversion ratio, concerns me. The first striker hero I remember was Dixie Deans. Would love a Dixie type in this team.
what happened to the old Dexter – this one is way too smart
Pics from the live webcam on post 1 are great. Looking forward to the game – 2-0 to the Bhoys.
Forster
Lustig Efe DVD Izzy
Forrest Ledley Commons Charlie Sammi
Stokes
Morrisey123
TBB
The aim tonight is to raise the roof but keep our feet on the ground.
A big stretch.
On the subject of referee’s
When we played Celta Vigo on the road to Seville at Paradise the ref was Monsieur Colombo of France (he of the many and varied bizarre gestures and decisions!!)
Tonight I think we can get something, looking forward to the game and the beers are chilling nicely in the fridge with the bonus that this is the last working day of the week!
the long wait is over
15:03 on 6 November, 2013
DBBIA
TLWIO -so a Spanish referee couldn’t referee a French game?
Germany has borders with lots of countries.
So does Switzerland.
You would have to sit at UEFA HQ with a big Risk board in front of you and divvy up the refs.
————————————–
Ha! True !
But it is right I’m sure.
………………….
If Hugh Dallas gets his way he would have Scottish refs for all our European games.
Delaneys Dunky
Ah Agree,wi YOU ,pal..
Stats?
They hiv thur Place.
It’s in the Dust Bin!
Ah am a Pupil of THIS School..
“It’s No How many Goals that ye Score,pal.. It’s How Many Goals that ye MISS!”
that coonts.. in the end.
And this Celtic outfit.. ur Missing ..Plenty!
It’s Downright Criminal..
Look at whit the result of Missing So many of these Chances, did tae us.. Last Game???
We scorned a Bundle of scoring Chances.. Howevahhhhhhhhhhhh..
We Lucked oot.. At the very Death..
and.. only By the Grace of God ..and St. Patrick…
we Managed tae Tak wan of they Easy Chances tae score..
And..it Was Fortunate that Dundee United ,goat intae the Act
of Missing those Eazy chances.. tae..
Is it Catching??
Hmmmmmm.. could Be!
Because…
Dundee, themsels.. Missed a Lead Pipe Cinch if A Chance( and..it may hiv bin the Miss of the Year!)
which, they could Ill Afford tae…
as…
They only hid,Three Chances tae Score..in the whole game..
They Took Wan..and Fluffed Two!
Like Ah said..and wull Continue tae say..
It is the easy Scoring chances, that are Missed..
That wull Dae Ye in.. in the End..
‘
Unless,of course .. The Opposition.. Misses thur Easy wans ,As Weel..’
So.. ye see..
Like Ah say..
“It is No the Goals that Ye Score.. that wull Win ye The Game..it is the Easy Chances.. Scorned.. that wull Dae ye In.”
And that goes fur BAITH TEAMS.
Tonight.. Celtic Must tak thur Chances.. and they wull be Few.. Ye kin take bets oan that!
Let’s Hope..the Dutch Guys.. Miss Oot ..and Fail tae score oan the chances which fall tae Them..
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
Lennybhoy/Malorbhoy
I Saw that TT is looking to get in touch with me can you please pass on my details to him I don’t have a number for him.
I’m admittedly pish at geography but a Dutch referee is in charge of the Dortmund v Arsenal game tonight…
Googybhoy
How do you think an English official would ref a CL game of our’s? Fairly? Impartially?
Remarkably, despite his extensive treatment for testicular cancer in recent years, John Hartson is to play big daddy again.
TBB
Get in there BBJ
May need to reverse my view on the refs rule.
From Champions league for Dummies ( okay . okay…) website
“Officiating: How the referees are chosen
In cooperation with the UEFA Refereeing Unit, the UEFA Referee Committee is responsible for appointing referees to matches. Referees are appointed based on previous matches, marks, performances, and fitness levels. To discourage bias, the Champions League takes nationality into account. No referee may be of the same origins as any club in his or her respecting groups. Referee appointments, suggested by the UEFA Refereeing Unit, are sent to the UEFA Referee Committee to be discussed and/or revised. After a consensus is made, the name of the appointed referee remains confidential up to two days before the match for the purpose of minimizing public influence.”
Kojo
Greetings, I am confident our defence can stand strong tonight! Just need to convert the chances we Will create!
Hail Glorious St. Patrick
Hail HaiL
skyisalandfill c’mon wee oscar
08:56 on 6 November, 2013
Sorry mhate, it was last night I was in Elgin, back down the road today, crossed wires.
Next time.
Mncelt
Ah like yer Team Selection..
Except .. fur.. Stokesy..
Ye hiv him playing the part of the Lonely Linwood Striker.. which He canny haundle ,at awe..
In .. Ma Opinion,of course..
Na.. Ah wid Hiv
Amido… as oor Lone Striker..
The Bhoy needs mair.. Starts..that is the only way fur him tae Improve..
This start stop Nonsense, which Neil.. Uses .. in breaking in a New bie..
Is .. completely … Whacko
Gie the Kid a Few Starts in Succession..
It can’t Hoit..
Fur ye kin always.. Tak him aff.. Later in the Game,if ye see that he is.
WAY oota his Depths.
Amido fur a Game, Tonight..
That is Ma Advice tae Neil.
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
10-9-8-7-6…..
surejosiesurecsc
Great news for BBJ but have I read correctly he has resigned as Wales assistant coach?
Cue the calls for John to be our striking coach.
LB
Advicate Depute Shanti Maguire??
I think the Dambusters tune might get an airing tonight to wind up the huns and their Englandshire cousins,if we get a result.