Celtic passed the ball well throughout last night’s game. The players were confident enough to take a touch under pressure, which was key to the performance and a step beyond the more rudimentary show in the Camp Nou last season. In this respect, it was a better performance than the win in Moscow, and was an improvement on even the home game against Milan in 2004.
Countless screeds were written about Efe Ambrose after his mistake against Juventus, which seemed to affect the rest of his season, but the Nigerian international looked every inch a Champions League player. His composure and driving runs were crucial in determining Celtic’s effectiveness.
All played well but if we are going to push for highlights the right flank was exceptional. How proud of Adam Matthews were you after his full-speed dribble through the Milan half? At Euro 2012 I remember some respected observers wrote that Mikael Lustig was the weakest link in the Sweden team. If the Spanish international manager watched last night’s performance he would surely lobby for the introduction of national team transfers.
These two were scouted and brought to the club for a combined total of around £1m. Since arriving they have both grown into players who can excel at the San Siro. The clues of what is happening at Celtic are not hard to find.
Charlie Mulgrew has to endure the mantle of ‘utility player’ and in the absence of Joe Ledley and Beram Kayal partnered Scott Brown in central midfield, his fourth best position. Not that there was any sign of this. Brown and Mulgrew’s intelligent movement made possible all that passing and control.
Despite the great performance Milan came away with the points and a great chance to progress. They gave Stokes, Samaras and Commons little opportunity all night. The chances which Samaras, Stokes and Brown had were ultimately all defended well. Stokes free kick which rebounded off the crossbar would have changed the result but it was far from an easy chance.
Going forward we would do well to remember the importance of winning free kicks around the edge of the box. Teemu Pukki looked to have lost possession but used his strength well to win the infringement which resulted in Stokes free kick. Mario Balotelli needed little encouragement to tumble all night and he did so effectively five minutes from time.
Make sure we win free kicks 24 yards out and don’t concede them.
An away defeat against the second seed in the first game is probably a better result than the 0-0 home draw we achieved against Benfica last season, but Milan have an important 3 points in the bag in what looks like an interesting fight for second place.
Celtic are the team who can most improve their chances of qualification on match day 2. Another win against Barcelona at Celtic Park would give us an excellent chance of progressing but the journey up from pot 4 is incredibly difficult.
Is it a worry that we conceded late goals after the players were showing signs of lethargy? Lethargy is a well-documented part of the game, one which is often crucial in determining success in Champions League football and which we can learn to exploit.
1254125 at The Great Scottish Run.
On Sunday 6 October there is a 10k and Half Marathon. If that is beyond you. There are family events taking place the day before. This is your club, remind the world of what really counts and get involved in 1254125.
The first thing you need to do is sign up for the Great Scottish Run, or here for one of the family events.
Once you’ve done that, you can register for the 1254125 campaign here.
Then you can create a donations page here. Click Start Fundraising, search for Celtic Charity, setup your My Donate account).
Email me and let me know if you are having trouble signing up or need any more help, celticquicknews@gmail.com.
To read the new issue of CQN Magazine click here (don’t try to read the graphic below).
[calameo code=000390171853d2bfc4f69 lang=en page=4 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
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Bada bing
Who are he karst team in European history playing
Did the goat get it his time ?
PF
Away to peak Thessaloniki FCC..
Wonder if its an amphitheatre
Just saw a post on facebook. .. wee oscar is smiling again today
Made this auld tim smile too :)
Pfayr
Don’t forget if the goat doesn’t get it there’s no half time kebabs
Great news jinks
Gene
Partial to a kebab ..particularly after 20 pints mmmmmmm
Ole Cochise 1 Son of Cochise 1
Jeff Chandelier CSC
Bt
Did they ever get that letter st Paul sent them
Tbj
God bless Oscar
anybody any problems with celtic tv ?- had enough of bt/sky thing already and wanna move to c tv
Goat-staring (the art of making goats faint) is something they’ve been practicing for years in the SFA – saves them chasing bleating goats around the dark corridors.
“Here, goaty goaty….come to George, my little sacrificial friend….”
BT
You going to the kerrydale for the killie game.
Mind the last time we watched killlie v celtic in there :)
ffm
They can do some damage to the old brown brogues
TBJ, brilliant news
Thanks for brightening up my day further
Hail Hail
From Gazzetta Dello Sport:
‘Miracle at San Siro: AC Milan collected their first three points with a 2-0 win against Celtic at the end of a game memorable only for its rare ugliness. At times it was unsuitable for a prestigious stage of the top European competition. For periods it was the Celtic salt which was shaking the San Siro. De Jong prevented Brown scoring and Stokes rattled the crossbar. But football is crazy and Zappata’s low shot, deviated by Izaguire and Forster can do nothing. And that’s not all, Muntari doubles Forster’s pain after Balotelli was lucky to escape punishment and the referee gave him the foul! Incredible! I don’t know how Milan won this game!’
These light based puns are Röntgen
There are some budding Voltaires on here tonight.
Tomtheleedstim , thanks for the welcome last night . Pleasure to meet up with you again.
HH
Sanna
There’s a post on Deadco media: McCoist – Have you revised your opinion?
One of them has his observation spot on: “His strength was as a number two”.
Just watching Educating Yorkshire, the form teachers name is Miss Uren.
I’m not taking the………
Tbj.
Not sure..
Last time was a great time indeed..
Minis birthday also if you remember…
Can you apply for an Easter Rd ticket online..?
HH
BCW
LOL
Cowiebhoy in support of Fearless Oscar & Family
Did you get the email I sent you ref: cv. I havent been on CQN much lately. Busy in work thank God. I sent it to your icloud address.
from FF, og the tempation to add 4,5,6,7 and 8
____________________
When will you consider it mission accomplished?
1/ When we are back in the premiership ?
2/ Winning the premiership ?
3/ Hearing the champions league music ?
BT, young Rossini (Laura’s boyfriend) thinks your lights are oot, on the CQN euro qualifier :-)
Hail Hail
TBJ, was that a champion day in old KDS, I was there with ma ghirls and Whife
‘There’s a Buzz about the place’
– Paul McStay
MickTT
21:37 on
19 September, 2013
Can you apply for an Easter Rd ticket online..?
Nope. You’ll need to complete the form then either post it or you can scan it then email it to celticawaysupport@hibernianfc.co.uk
Downforsam
Will reply through icloud address
Hail Hail
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:San_Siro_wide.jpg
Our young guys will learn quickly playing at places like this.
Virgil’s first CL game.
Cowrie
I just asked CRC to put 2 1 for every game so tell him his thrashing is me is all down to my laziness..o))
Nobody able to conductor serious Celtic conversation?
Wish it would stop typing cowrie… O(
prestonpans bhoys
21:41 on 19 September, 2013
Many thanks..
HH
Cowiebhoy
Thanks.
Seeing Fojut for Tromso v Spurs shows how fickle fate can be.4 year contract and a big Bosman signing on fee,made for life,until one bad injury…..
BT
I do remember …it was a great day.. I got great pics in the bar then out in front with the players.
Cowiebhoy
Indeed … we were doing the conga with hoopy
bournesouprecipe
You could be that conduit.
big-cup-winners
21:50 on 19 September, 2013
bournesouprecipe
You could be that conduit.
*****
Big plug for bsr there. Are you his agent?
C`mon you Kiwis.