Two clubs from outside the top five wealthy leagues reached the quarter finals last season but Benfica were drawn against another team from outside the big five, Zenit St Petersburg. Apoel Nicosia eliminated Lyon in the last 16 on penalties (we should be practicing penalties every week between now and then).
Two teams, Basel (who earlier eliminated Manchester United) and Bayer Leverkusen (who eliminated Valencia), lost seven goals in one game in the first knockout round last season. This tournament retains an ability to be harsh and unforgiving at every moment. Leverkusen actually conceded 10 to Barcelona over two games.
Apoel Nicosia conceded eight to Real Madrid in the quarters. The Cypriot team held things together for as long as they could but failed to reach group stage of the Europa League this season, going out at the hands of Neftchi Baku (Azerbaijan).
Our seven potential opponents, all from the top five leagues, will each present an enormously difficult challenge but some are easier than others. Our biggest advantage is our own position. Those seven clubs will each underestimate Celtic, we have by far the lowest coefficient of all teams left in the tournament.
Thanks for the great support for the CQN Annual. You can order online here!
We are enormously outgunned and inexperienced at this level but we know a few things:
We can defend under incredible pressure.
We can score, home and away, against anyone.
We cannot retain possession. This is not a good thing, but it is an acknowledged weakness, so we know not to plan to retain possession. If in doubt, laces through the ball and get into position.
Our opponents will know we have the tallest team in the competition. Height is an advantage until your opponent learns how you use it. During the first half on Wednesday Celtic tried to repeat the corner kick success we enjoyed against Barcelona and Benfica but Spartak had read the script. We will be unlikely to score the same goal again in Europe. A fresh plan is needed.
The Spartak goal is a real lesson. This is not a goal we would have conceded against a far superior Barcelona. We had a 1-0 lead and our entire left flank was exposed, compromising a winning position. We can leave our left flank exposed at Kilmarnock tomorrow but this kind of laissez-faire defending came within 8 minutes of eliminating us on Wednesday and will do so in the next round if repeated.
Penalty kicks determined the outcome of 50% of Champions League knockout ties last season (20% after games, 30% during games). No amount of practice is too much.
Planning for the quarter finals starts now.
The next issue of CQN Magazine will be out next week. If you would like to advertise get in touch, advert@cqnmagazine.co.uk.
[calameo code=00039017193b8a8bbd612 lang=en page=126 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
1,417 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- ...
- 38
- »
Neil Lennon on transfer window: ‘there are areas in which we’d like to enhance the squad’
via @ the_eriugena
Petec,
Philvis’ obvious Masonic values seem to have you as a devout follower
Edward Ursus – nobody expects the Sighthill Inquisition! (thumbsup)
Philvisreturns @16.41 :- I hate to disagree with such a fine chap as yourself but you have that wrong, it would still be me :-)
canamalar – Masonic values like brotherhood and charity?
Jock Stein was a mason you know.
I, however, have never claimed to be one. (thumbsup)
Philvis..,
It wouldn’t be a secret society if all your brothers claimed to be one now would it
canamalar
17:47 on 7 December, 2012,
Well, IMO, and I think I exposed you to being susceptible to utter bull nonsense, is the one I would really be worried about Secret Orders and Secret oaths.
philvisreturns 17:49 on 7 December, 2012
You’ve never worn an apron?
Petec,
You’ll need to remind me about that expose
petec
17:23 on
7 December, 2012
Greensideup
Just the usual stuff about cup tied players. If we could get a Fellaini type player, I think we could really go places. I’m sure the scouts are out and about.
Thanks for the reply, I wonder how many jersey`s we`ll sell when Beckham signs
gsu
bournesouprecipe
good news…..let’s hope he unearths the new Henrik or new Javier Pastore……
not being greedy or anything…..
Edward Ursus – You would be a formidable opponent Edward, but I recently purchased an exquisite pair of English handmade brown leather brogues. A bit of parade gloss might just give me the edge. (thumbsup)
Externalisation of the hierarchy anyone?
canamalar?
Canamalar :- I did answer it, “The team is a different thing, it may be owned by a new company but it’s a Rangers team playing at Ibrox with many of the same players. I have been a Rangers supporter as far back as I can remember thinking about football so my emotional feelings transferred to the team now playing at Ibrox, you may find that strange or be unable to understand but that’s how I feel.”
Bournsouprecipe :- That’s the best news I’ve heard this week, Tesco will be getting a visit tomorrow.
The Book of Thomas?
BSR , he still got it wrong by my reckoning , but what do expect , he gets the weather wrong most mornings – maybe he should open his curtains before reporting next time ?
Sanna
Petec,
Go on
Ed
For what it’s worth I’m happy to see you posting on CQN.
I hated the old Rangers and what they represented and I have little doubt that I won’t be too enamored by this new entity either.
However, I am able to differentiate between a football club and an individual who chooses to support that team.
You’re a good guy and this place is all the better for your presence.
Philvis
Now now
Leave Jock Stein out of it
It serves you or your argument no purpose
And leaves you very little room to bring humour to the psychology of Masonry in places like Burnbank.
Steer clear buddy
If not for your sake then at least Jock’s…
U
Ed,
Pathetic
Take anyone but the Germans, Too Clinical, We still make mistakes for that level yet. Give us time. ; )
KLV
Philvisreturns :- Fair enough the brogues seal it for you, do you also have a bowler hat or do you just have your servant wear a steel rimmed one?
Steinreignedsupreme – You’ve never worn an apron?
One that says “kiss the cook”. (thumbsup)
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
17:55 on 7 December, 2012
Petec,
Go on
________________________________
I need go no further, your agenda is very dark and I have had you marked a long time ago. You are a clever bugger but you are getting more desperate now.
Me, I couldn’t be more happy about life, I’ve went through a lot of dark things that you cannae even comprehend.
So in the best possible taste.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo
3:17 not 3:16 especially for you.
Got my Springstein tickets for Hampden today. Hopefully that will be three times I visit the stadium in the next seven months.
pigalle
Wonder where he thinks we’re weak, – as long as we don’t lose anyone.
sanna
If he misses your post – I’m telling him and he’ll watch it again
Teddy Bear
Hmmmm……….A Jack Daniels man, met some noisy Moscovite Ursus on Wednesday, one of them was filming ‘Walk On” and the other one was munching a Parkhead pie.
Canamalar :- If that’s how you feel about my answer then fair enough, I’ve said before on here that I’d rather be disliked for being me than liked for being a liar and I still feel that way.
Good evening CHAMPIONS
I see the ole arguements are still ongoing, I’m staying clear this time. Hope we get GHoops tied up shortly, see no reason for him leaving is this window CL football and all that.
Weefra HH
Wow…..li deleted CL highlights from Sky……then regretted doing it…….just discovered that it can be RESTORED…….just watching it again now ……dooooooo dooooo
philvisreturns 17:59 on 7 December, 2012
One that says “kiss the cook”.
———
I think the ole Masonic apron has “Kiss the Goat” written on it … well, embroidered actually.
These secretive guys are pretty classy…
Bournesouprecipe :- I can understand them filming “walk on” when done right with a full stadium it is some sight. But a Parkhead pie? Only someone used to Russian cooking could enjoy that :-)
Philvis’s politics are way out there but he is very readable.
Unfortunately, Canamalar – you remind me of a bad toothache.
Petec,
Cryptic claptrap, refusing to “go further” is a cop out, because you have no decent argument.
You have no idea of my life yet you declare you have suffered things I couldn’t comprehend, how do you know ?
A bit like philvis telling me I’m claiming benefits, assumption is the mother of all f*** ups.
Here are the draws I want to see
Celtic vs Malaga
Real Madrid vs Manchester United
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Cluj vs Bayern
Porto vs Dortmund
Milan vs PSG
Shaktar vs Schalke
Valancia vs Juventus
Now that would cause all sorts of madness
Cleeter Moore (sp) having a wee night tonight..
just received a text from Malorbhoy who is drinking out of a big cup..
hope he has plenty of money to fill that cup… o))
Edward Ursus – Ha!
But I don’t think canamalar likes being known as my “servant”. (thumbsup)
ulysses mcghee – Not sure what to tell you buddy?
I didn’t bring it up. For some reason another poster on CQN is determined to call me a mason. I’d be flattered at the attention if I wasn’t slightly worried he has a room in his house full of Philvis memorabilia, including a papier-mache Philvis sitting in a chair.
I don’t think it’s harmful to the memory of Jock Stein to point out that he was a member of that club.
It’s not a subject that agitates me either way although I do know people who are masons. They seem strangely boring for people who secretly run the world.
Personally if I ran the world I’d spread terror through my army of giant atomic robots that look like Margaret Thatcher. They’d have laser beam eyes and I’d get them to attack Ed Miliband’s house and give him a Chinese burn. (thumbsup)
Just came down from the euphoria of winning and haven’t posted since.
But was it just me who thought McGeady did us a favour as the game wound down, giving away 4 or 5 free kicks when Samaras and others were running into a wall of Spartak players and more likely to lose possession than anything else? Every found probably gained us 30 seconds on the ball.
Ah, the fullest of full moons continues to shine on the ole CQN gazebo.
Sighs, opens a beer……..