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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Big Billy meeting Charlie’s corner against Vojvodina was one of those magical moments etched forever in the heart & soul of everybody who watched it.
HEAVEN.
Overpower them tomorrow. Get the full backs bombing down the wings hitting balls to Lassad & Sammi at back post. Hooper picking up the knock downs
===========Forster============
Matthews Ambrose Wilson Izzaguirre
=====Brown Wanyama Ledley=====
=====Lassad Hooper Samaras====
Subs Zaluska Rogne Kayal Watt McGeouch Mulgrew Ibrahim
FFS – here we go again.
andycol is yet another neil lennon
12:48 on
7 December, 2012
Please refrain from being sensible when dealing with Kevjungle ……….. We don’t want to lift him out of his ‘preferred’ depressive comfort zone …..HH
Goldstar,
You missed this..
http://youtu.be/3E_ZUtgRC40
Hail! Hail!
philvisreturns
12:59 on 7 December, 2012
Was there not some guy on the other evening who claimed he was quitting CQN due to Kojo?
That’s how you do flouncing. (thumbsup)
>Whos flouncing this time round?
Kayal33 you have left yourself on the bench. Ya slacker.
izzy
13:03 on 7 December, 2012
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa …… Now, that was funny…… Think both scenarios may apply ……
philvisreturns
12:59 on 7 December, 2012
Was there not some guy on the other evening who claimed he was quitting CQN due to Kojo?
That’s how you do flouncing. (thumbsup)
___________________________
No doubt you will give us a look at that particular post, Phil.
…or maybe not.
A holding player has players as automatic options to whom he gives the ball. Joe Ledley hasn’t fallen into that category this season.
Both he and Beram Kayal have done well for us. Celtic have not stood still for a second this season. So guys in their mid to early twenties are looking over their shoulders at the young players coming up behind them. Have a heart bhoys. It can’t be easy.
Anyone care to name the players they think will not be in the squad for the next phase of the CL?
KK, Even when we’re so far ahead of the rest domestically, back on the big Stage and competing well, some will never be happy.
After the next reverse, and it will come, the couple who are always moaning will be joined by many more.
Some are never happy, I wonder if they want to be?
I’m going to an old friends funeral today, he was a great guy to know, we shared lots of laughs. Alex had been ill for a while and had reached a ripe old age, it was just his time, so I’ll be celebrating a life well lived, rather than mourning a life lost. He was a big Dundee Hibs man and loved the game, we had a lot of fun recently laughing at the discomfort of a mutual friend.
Anyhoos, for those who do a wee prayer/thought for Alex would be appreciated.
What about Kamil Gilk ?
JamsieBhoy
13:08 on 7 December, 2012
Looking forward to my Killie Pie too much
Kayal33. I would have Mulgrew in my team every game the reason why is he has a big heart and is never beaten he has Celtic through and through and he drives other players on.He has a cultured left foot he is the beating heart of our team in the same way as Gerrard at Liverpool.H.H.
Still excited from Wednesday night…….glad, though, that I actually remember driving home, unlike after the Barca game ……LOL …… I lost the plot after the Barca game …..
WGS
Was he the one who got sent off for Torino in the recent Turin derby?
Ambrose, Wilson, Rogne, Mulgrew, Wanyama, we’re well covered at centre half. The only position we should be looking to strengthen is an attacking central midfieder. An alternative to the current five who are all very similar.
.
Howl Long till it Gets Dark Back Home..?
Summa
Joe Filippis Haircut
13:11 on 7 December, 2012
Agree with you but just think he needs a rest. Could be wrong but he has played more than anyone (apart from Forster) this season and has had international appearances as well.
Izzy
If you were a fish you would have been a supper long ago.Chill out man they are just winding you up.
Summa of Sammi….
13:14
Yer back are you?
Brass, Neck , BlowTorch.
I want to know if Philvis has red or white tears of benefit claimants with his Swan Livers.
I agree with Kilbowie Kelt (I usually do anyway as for me he is the epitome of a true Celt), when he says even in the best of times some guys are just looking for something to moan about. I have no doubt as in all blogs we have trolls here plus Huns in Celts clothing and their sole ambition is to annoy people and to mess up the Blog. It goes without saying that we can’t all sing from the same hymn book all the time and differences of opinions and arguments are part & parcel of any blog. But hey we are in the last 16 in Europe can we not all be happy for a day or two and let the moaning recommence after the Killie game.
from ET
FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER 2012 TEXT SIZE EXCLUSIVE: Celtic legend Davie Hay says all for one…won for all!
Davie Hay
Football columnist
NOT many things you achieve in football can be considered a transformer.
Kris Commons slams home the penalty kick which sent Celtic into the last 16 of the Champions League
But Celtic qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League certainly has the potential to become that.
You can never budget for a run in Europe, let alone accruing the £21million which is coming their way for this run.
They had to negotiate two qualifying rounds before they even got to the group stage, where the big money is made.
Now, as they await the draw for the last 16, everyone involved should take massive pride and a well-earned pat on the back.
That’s not just Neil Lennon and his players, though they are the ones who have had to do the business on the pitch.
But there are so many other important people behind the scenes, from Neil’s backroom team to the men who have made the big financial calls over the years, often against shouts to splash the cash.
Peter Lawwell, along with guys like financial director Eric Riley, have kept control of the money, and this has allowed the club to invest wisely in players who are now returning a huge profit for them.
I’m confident the Champions League millions now coming in will also be used to best effect, and Neil has made it clear he wants to try and channel some of it towards tying down Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper. I can understand his thinking, but I would also consider trying to extend the contract Fraser Forster signed in the summer, because he is a guy already high on the list of men clubs in England would like to have.
Like Victor and Gary, Fraser’s performances in the Champions League have brought him to their attention, and they are all at an age when they are going to get better.
I am not too concerned the big offers will come in when the window opens in January because they are all cup-tied in the Champions League, have the last 16 to look forward to, and Celtic do not need to sell because of the money they have made this season.
But next summer could be a different story, and it will be a big test of Celtic’s resolve.
That said, the strategy the club have adopted for the last few years has been based on identifying and recruiting raw talent, developing these players and giving them exposure on stages like the Champions League, then selling for a profit before re-investing the money made to keep the cycle going.
Key to all of this is getting the right players, and this is never easy when you are competing with the kind of money which clubs in the Premiership can offer.
But being able to offer Champions League football is a big carrot, and this season’s achievement will help Celtic in their recruitment. Neil is also integral to this success story as he has to make it happen on the pitch. It has been a lot for Neil to deal with, and, as Dermot Desmond said, he is still learning to be a manager.
He has already grown in stature, not just as manager, but as a Celtic manager.
Neil is a very astute tactician, as he showed again on Wednesday when he identified Spartak were outmanoeuvring them in midfield.
He switched from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 to counter this, and it worked. Neil knew they had to go for it, and, in the second half, put on the players to make this happen.
I actually believe not being involved in Old Firm games has helped Neil develop as he was always judged on how he fared and behaved in them, and he found it difficult not to become too embroiled in all that surrounded these matches.
Now he is judged on what he is doing in Europe, and looks more composed as a result.
The defence has tightened up a lot, and the core of the midfield is good. Even without Victor, Scott Brown and Beram Kayal gave them security, though you could see by the lack of power in his shots that Scott is functioning at less than 100 per cent.
Gary’s goal was an exceptional finish and you always need to find a place for Charlie Mulgrew because of what he can bring to the game.
But it’s in the wide areas Celtic really hurt teams in Europe, and Kris Commons really rises to the occasion.
As for Georgios Samaras, he must send up a prayer to the Greek god Zeus before these games, because he seems to carry superpowers.
Neil is right to be proud of every one of them. But while so much talk will be about holding on to these players, the club will also have to be wary of approaches for Neil himself.
When you consider the money spent by clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea, who failed to reach the last 16, what Neil has done on his budget will have raised his stock considerably.
But while other clubs would be able to offer him more by way of salary, could any give him the job satisfaction?
I seriously doubt it, but Celtic should still look at rewarding his achievement by putting before him a new contract.
In the wonderful afterglow of winning, immediately after the final whistle on Wednesday, the ‘music man’ at Celtic Park stuck on somehting I didn’t recognise and now know it was the Barcelona anthem (see
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/celtic-play-barcelona-anthem-after-spartak-moscow-win/
I thought it was a bad move – the fans were euphoric and ready for a party/sing-a-long, at least all those in our section in 102 seemed to be, but we were drowned out and eventually gave up. This happened as well last May at the Hearts game when we got the League Trophy presented – the ‘planned’ music from the lassie who’s name I forget and big John Innes singing Nessan Dorma, all good stuff, but not really appropriate IMO.
When the fans want to party, let them party!
How does that song go? “LET THE PEOPLE SING ……”
Kayal,
Wanyama wasted at centre half. Ambrose (jury out for me) way he got turned the other night for that goal. Dives in too much and decision making is a bit bomb scareish for me. Rogne never fit.
Credit must go to Kelvin Wilson as well, he has just went about his business when he looked as if he was on the way out. Credit to the big man and i think an experienced head or better defender than Ambrose might even propel him further at the back.
Kallstrom was running the show the other night until Lennon went and matched them 3 in the middle. Kallstrom was deep lying and playing 4 4 2 with no striker dropping to pick him up was allowing him to play. Going to a 3 meant we could match them man for man in there and it worked.
Said to the guy beside me at the game and fair play to NL he changed it.
Izzy
Do you mean “To hell with this, I’m not going to post on this site any more”?
That would be lovely.
WGS – 13:21 on 7 December, 2012
I think Ambrose has been doing pretty well. I wouldn’t rush to judge too harshly based on Wednesday night. I think Emeneke is a big menace and would have troubled many a centre back with a far higher rating than Ambrose.
WGS
13:21 on 7 December, 2012
Ambrose & Wilson are our first choice pairing. They marshalled a defence that has qualified for the CL last 16. They are still learning to play together and they will have poor games along the way. Who would have said Wilson would be performind the way he is now at this stage last season?
Wanyama would be first choice midfielder every day of the week, the point I was making was we have plenty of cover to our first choice at centre half. The main area that needs strengthened is an attacking midfielder and if we are to spend money then all our resources should be concentrated there rather than two or three squad players, especially in positions we are more than adequately covered.
TimJim/67Heaven/Philbhoy
13:15
>I Bring it on myself ……
:1
Hail hail
EmeraldBee\o/ proud to be an internet bampot
Thought “Londons Calling” was a good choice of post-match music but as for the “Barca anthem”. That was a strange choice. It appeared as if we were thanking them for helping us get to the last 16. They did nothing of the sort resting half a team and were lucky to get a 0-0 draw at home to Benfica.
We got through on our own merits and the fans should have been free to celebrate without having to listen to the anthem of another team.
Mort
iPaddy McCourt
13:24
:) Why dont you start a petition then?
Kayal,
You might be right. Just sometimes Efe decision making like playing football inyour own box, puts back to Tebily days.
HH from a frozen Northern Netherlands.
I like Hoops haircut, i had a very similar one back in the 80’s. Now Sammi needs to emulate Gary’s obvious taste in Coiffures, Sammi’s choice is well a wee bit too effete for a manly team like Celtic.
“It’s them fecking Greeks father, they invented homosexuality”
Thats the Champions League group stage done and dusted well done the Bhoys.Lets start giving the rest of the SPHel teams a doing.None better a place to start than the Ayrshire Loyals.Its about time Shields was put in his place.Prediction: 4-0 to the bhoys in green (you saw it here first)
Has anyone else had issues with the browser response time for CQN these days since all these adverts staretd appearing on the page?
Down with adverts – up with err, non-adverts…
oglach
There is always the fear that Sammi’s hair could be like Samsons. Although I thought that when Henke got rid of his dreadlocks and if anything he improved for us then.
Mort
Kayal33. I think some Celtic fans are to quick to judge our new signings the one that sticks out for me is Paul Elliott his first season he was poor but in his second seaon he cliked and was superb from then on in.Players are only human and it takes some longer than others to settle in our Country.They should be in my opinion allowed at least two seasons before being judged.H.H.