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How Celtic can reach Champions League quarter finals

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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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  1. petec on

    A Ceiler Gonof Rust

     

     

    I think it is less likely being away from home as the opposition sit in less but I won’t be too downhearted if we drop points tomorrow. I still, like you, expect to win the game especially as they beat us recently.

     

     

    I hope young Dylan gets some game time as creativity is what is required.

     

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMc0gquLgqs

  4. THE EXILED TIM on

    Doc

     

     

    Paddy was just a bloke who I had a few beers with on a regular basis, along with a few others, he is a gentleman, no airs and graces, I remember he told us one night about the monthly cheque he got for the Fields, just that song alone, he equated it to his drink bill for a month, so it must have been a hefty wedge he got, cos he can scoop it.

     

     

    And you are welcome here any time mi amigo, a very cheap holiday in the seering sun, well not if you come here in the winter mind you, it’s as cold as hunland.

  7. kitalba on

    Gordon64:

     

     

    There was disharmony, I saw a rather blatant example of it as the teams came out. If I remember rightly it was Neilly Mochan who rather emphatically sorted it out.

  12. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    There’s a big party at the dome de la bigot tomorrow, I think they’re celebrating 140 days of fully paid PAYE and NI contributions.

     

     

    Their attempt at a full stadium display looks rank amateur by comparison to ours v Barca two weeks ago.

     

     

    It looks pish in fact.

  15. Bhoylo83 on

    Philvis i never agree with ur politics but i was willin to let that slide… but slaggin off disco ???

     

     

    Nah not havin that!!!

  16. WeefratheTim on

    Philvis

     

     

    Your music is worth a shout, but to me, Gerry Rafferty will always be the greatest singer/songwriter this planet has ever and will ever see and hear. Just my opinion you understand. (thumbsup) LOL

     

     

    Weefra )h

  19. kikinthenakas on

    Bhoys

     

    What a great week…..

     

     

    We are thru to the last 16 as they are falling apart….boycotts….angry….bullying….

     

     

    As I said before….

     

     

    It is as clear as day for all to see……

     

     

    We are defined by what we love, they are defined by what they hate…

     

     

    This weeks shows that

     

    Kikinthenakas

  22. Gordon64 on

    Kit

     

    Milan was a lesson in hubris.

     

    We came close again in 1972 against Milan and then again in

     

    74 against Athletico but never again have came close to

     

    lifting the big cup.

     

    Maybe this year.

  23. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Ntassoolla, he’s just about mastered the ride on lawn mower so maybe that’s a good idea. Then again, we may as well both wear blindfolds because that would be a short trip followed by a longer one to casualty or the morgue.

     

     

    He’s not quite ready for the drive to paradise, believe me, when he his, he will be be my designated driver and my kerryoot will be substantial for the trip.

  25. THE EXILED TIM on

    kikin

     

     

    HH

     

     

    They are hurting like they have never hurted before, gone is their supremisist bollix, well nearly gone, jumping the gun a wee bit, but to see them suffer like they are is giving me a pleasure that I never thought possible.

     

     

    And I make no apologies for seeing them suffer, they deserve everything coming that’s their way, they are scum that the planet can well do without.

  27. kitalba on

    Gordon64:

     

     

    If we ever forgot the lesson of Milan we always have Clyde, ICT and Ross County to remind us. And with those results in mind and regards this years big cup, well who knows – stranger things….

  30. Sargassosea on

    Kitalba, Gordon64,

     

    I was there after hitching all the way from Glasgow to Milan and then back again. Crazy, frightening, time going through the Alps, in the front seat, with an Italian driver.

     

    Overconfidence from the supporters through to the team cost us, as well as a brilliant left footed midfield player.

     

     

    Does anyone hitchhike anymore?

  35. Ntassoolla on

    He’s not ready?

     

    In whose opinion?

     

     

    A couple of guys I know are undergoing that nightmare.

     

    Nearest I came to it was in the shape of a demented 17 yr old brother. 3 day old company car. I handed him the keys. He screamed out of the pub car park with such gusto that it took 6 pints to get the smell of rubber out of my nostrils.

  36. Gordon64 on

    Kit

     

    As i’ve said on here many times before

     

    strap yourself in for a rollercoaster of a ride.

     

    Celtic will take you to the greatest highs and lows.

     

    We all come along for the ride.

     

    HH

  41. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Petec, Barcelona beat us recently but it didn’t stop me puting money on Celtic to win the next time we played them. I do expect to win tomorrow. If it doesn’t happen I’ll deal with it and move on to Wednesday.

     

     

    Killie are no mugs under their present manager, but we are better under ours.

     

     

    We Are Celtic, this is our time.

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