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.
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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.
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deliasmith – MON certainly likes to have have a few big guys in his team. I loved Bobo Balde.
MARRAKESH EXPRESS
Part of our success is down to good housekeeping – living within our means. This is sometimes in the face of strong pressure from some fans who want us ‘to speculate to accumulate’. This mantra is a recipe for disaster as can be seen from the financial collapse of Rangers and Leeds United, to name but two. I think the Board should be given some credit for our success.
Delia what about that big lump Lionel Messi?
Paul 67 @11:56
Hmmmm.
Do I stick or, do I twist – CSC
P.S. thanks for reply Paul.
Hail Hail
connaire12 – so Servco the Scottish equivalent of Juve. Less the football skills obviously.
Shieldmuir Celtic
12:09 on 7 December, 2012
Who do you think we should sell in January?
connaire12 – I hope we avoid Italian teams too, what with their oily lothario ways and their hoity-toity bow-tie-shaped pasta.
The only downside to competing in Europe is having to go to Foreign. Some of them don’t even speak English and I could swear they do it to spite us. (thumbsup)
deliasmith
up the Vale
Shieldmuir Celtic
12:09 on 7 December, 2012
_______________________________
Mr Stein’s success at our club was in spite of the bored
and…I think that Neil’s is the same ?
Who saw Neil the night that the transfer window closed ?
To me he looked like he had been hit by a train. Hmmmm
How long till Sloth from the Goonies is “aff oot”? (thumbsup)
I also believe that Joe Ledley has been a bit of a disappointment this season, undoubtedly a class player but ghosts through games and needs to contribute more- Charlie Mulgrew at LM was superb, and on current form that jersey is his.
But I hope Joe will bounce back because he has proven to be an excellent team player for us, could be vital in the 2nd half of the season
kevjungle – murdo’s 30 yds title winning boots 1979
12:03 on
7 December, 2012
Murdo missed a few sitters……… But, no problem….. You need to ‘look on the bright side of life’ ……… I cannot recall any non-critical post from you, but that’s OK ….. I’m confident you will be over the moon when Celtic win the World Cup ……….Joe Ledley has my vote, and I’m really sorry if that upsets your good self……we reach the last 16 and you’re still moaning… Hunbelievable……. I make no apology for luvin’ EVERY Celtic player for the joy they have brought to us, through difficult (resistance) times…..
I was there.
Big Billy’s nut.
Celtic vs Vojvodina 1967
kevjungle – murdo’s 30 yds title winning boots 1979
12:14 on 7 December, 2012
Get back to ff….
Summa of Sammi….
12:01
Jeezo.. I did Not think You would Bite there..
The Olde mask Well Slipped there..
Summa of TheOldeDoubleBluffCSC
>Your insidious snide remark- your first comment on Pauls New article- is yet another cowardly remark aimed at me.
If I am wrong then, maybe you could therefore explain what you meant.
jamsiebhoy
12:03 on 7 December, 2012
Nothing wrong with a bit of podium chasing, ask Philvisreturns, as long as you remember to thanks the little people who helped you get there.
I was there.
Celtic vs Dukla Prague 1967
As I said the other night I would love to draw either Dortmund or PSG.
Doc is Neil Lennon – Nothing wrong with a bit of podium chasing, ask Philvisreturns, as long as you remember to thanks the little people who helped you get there.
How did you know about my army of Oompa Loompas? (thumbsup)
Malaga,
Dortmund
Schalke
Would love Dortmund purely for the fans, would be an exceptional game as well as Jurgen Kloppe has assembled a great team there and they are back to where they once where after difficult times.
Malaga and Schalke for me are beatable and we should fear no one. Bayern won’t like coming here either.
Doing the rounds, The Shining- Belfast style
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=VTvFC7QNc0Q
” Sometimes Satan Come as A Man of Peace ” ( Bob Dylan )
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
12:17 on 7 December, 2012
________________________________________________________
You know yer posts would capture my attention far more often than they do if….
….you reign in the drama-queen bit. Just a wee bit.
But…you’ve some way to go even mentioning – Murdo in the same post as Joe.
You like him – I don’t. We move on. If thats ok wi you ?
HH
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
11:58 on
7 December, 2012
an tearmann
11:54 on
7 December, 2012
He certainly did ……. But every player gave his all……except big FF….. I thought he had a very quiet night……..LOL
A total pleasure to agree with you.I stand corrected tho’ i hope the new leg Kris is growing after that hack will be ready for the last 16.-sore looking at the pics of it lol
Another character who thinks he’s a wiseguy. First post in New Article and instead of referring to the article or responding to a posters point or even just to share some other valid info, this yin wants to start the negativity all over again.
goldstar10
12:23 on
7 December, 2012
LOL
Lustig a doubt for Kilmarnock, Commons out.
I predict a return to 4-3-1-2 tomorrow and would go with:
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Forster ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Matthews :::::::::::: Ambrose :::::::::::::::: Wilson :::::::::::::: Izaguirre
::::::::::::: Wanyama :::::::::::::: Brown :::::::::::::: Mulgrew :::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Hooper ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Watt :::::::::::::::::::: Lassad ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(Ledley if Brown not fit)
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
12:19 on 7 December, 2012
kevjungle – murdo’s 30 yds title winning boots 1979
12:14 on 7 December, 2012
Get back to ff….
__________________________________________________
You see…it’s stuff like that that convinces me that – you must have been one of those Celtic fans who allowed themselve’s to be – brainwashed by the Celtic View during the 70’s/80’s/90’s – bought and sold !
Afternoon Celts,
JamsieBhoy yir a Legned :¬)
Philvis…… a hangover, and too many dolphin steaks methinks, old bhoy!
V
Joe ledley would be in my team every week. Miss him when he is out IMO.
goldstar10
>>>>>
A Belfast tricoteuse…..she needs to knit herself a valium.
Fholks,
I think it only fair that we acknowledge and thank all those kind Rankers supporters who sported thick moustaches for Movember.
Hopefully next year your husbands and boyfriends will take part too :))
HairbearbunchCSC
Ernie Lynch
Good housekeeping, in my opinion, means trying to hold on to our assets, and that is what our manager is trying to do. There may be one or two players who are surplus to requirements and could be moved on without affecting the quality of the squad. The manager seems to prefer improving the contracts of our quality players in an effort to keep them rather than spending large sums on transfers. This seems wise to me.
WGS
12:29 on 7 December, 2012
Joe ledley would be in my team every week. Miss him when he is out IMO.
_________________________________________________________________
Aye – that explains why there wisny any thunder in the stadium when you were in charge :o)
I don’t understand all the praise Fraser is getting!
For the great goalkeeper he is supposed to be he disney score many goals.
Is he no gettin’ coached properly?
kevjungle – murdo’s 30 yds title winning boots 1979
12:23 on
7 December, 2012
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
12:17 on 7 December, 2012
________________________________________________________
You know yer posts would capture my attention far more often than they do if….
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I would consider it a bonus if my posts didn’t capture your attention at all ……. I prefer to communicate with Celtic Supporters who love the Club……..I am actually disappointed that I even read some of your shoite …… But that is my ‘challenge’ …….. Sad that I consider you to be a bhun lurker…..
philbhoy – it’s just the beginning!
12:32 on
7 December, 2012
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa …..brilliant …!!!!
I see the graet waldo stating today that ” we will never forget those who turned against us ”
He supports the boycott also.
Well waldo the rest of scottish football will never forget
The 300 plus creditors you walked away from
The massive debt mountain of £54m ( £132m) you walked away from
You put yourself in that situation, you were part of that club
Nobody to blame but yourself and your custodians