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.
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Estorilbhoy 13.07- Ha ha, great stuff.
Kilbowie Kelt- I know you don’t know me however you may remember us talking about one of your relatives, Big MMcG, top bloke and old friend of mine. I’ve been on here for some time, maybe not the most memorable poster mind you!!
Anyway, I may not have worded it well but I stand by my opinion on JL i.e. great player- currently off colour- but will be back for the run in.
The fact Neil left him out the starting XI on Wednesday would suggest he thinks likewise- last season Joe would have been a shoe-in for such a game.
By all means have a pop at my views but please do not equate me with the trolls on here.
HH
prestonpans bhoys
14:14 on 7 December, 2012
It’s got nothing to do with Barca not helping us ……what reasonable person would expect them to cheat, to help any team ……. We have a special / friendly relationship with Barca and I value that ……. They are what EVERY Club should aspire to on the field….we are what EVERY Club should aspire to off the field ….. A good ‘match’, and a great relationship / respect, which I cherish…… I just love watching their games……
Our playing of their anthem was out of respect / empathy…
Summa of Sammi….
14:01 on 7 December, 2012
Delusional.
In a clinical sense.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS good post.
But you have to factor in that you get out and go to the pub and things like that.
I’m going to the pub this coming “Super Sunday” as much to crow as to drink.
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
14:24 on 7 December, 2012
Did Barca play the Celtic Song after their goalless draw?
From oor PHIL ………Barca…..Barca…..Baaaaaaaarca
The connections between Barcelona and Celtic have been written about many times. When there is an El Classico then the Celtic family are all Catalans! They know that Barca is more than a club because that is exactly how they feel about Celtic. The reason for this deep affection was probably best summed up by Barca’s current playmaker Xavi:
“Celtic, like Barcelona, are more than a football club. Our clubs are a symbol of a culture and community that has not always been made welcome in their respective countries.”
Now I believe there is another similarity. Celtic may have found their Guardiola. Like Pep the Celtic manager played for the club he loves. This is his first managerial job and he has had to learn and win at the same time. He knows he has made errors and is man enough to say so publicly. He is building a team that, when it clicks into place, is easily the best team in Scotland.
I am sure that Neil Lennon, the green Guardiola, will be cheering on Barca tonight. What he will be watching is what he wants to create for Celtic.
Moreover earlier this season they matched Udinese on their own ground. The 1-1 draw flattered the Italian side who there then joint top of Serie A. The people who run Celtic have great faith in Lennon and his young backroom staff. Lennon believes in the “Number Ten” and he has been edging towards a formation that allows a playmaker. The young Irishman is no idealist though and he realises that football in Scotland is a physical battle. Too often his Celtic players do not get the protection from referees that one would normally expect. Lennon, of course, knows this from his time as a Celtic player and, indeed, as captain.
So when he first took over the club he tried to sign battle hardened veterans like Sol Campbell and Jimmy Bullard. This summer he will undoubtedly look to bring in a few tough hombres, veterans who relish a battle on Scotland’s heavy pitches in winter. The players he now needs are both mentally and physically tough. He was that type of player himself.
He patrolled the area where the opposition playmakers like to drift into and create possibilities. His contest against kaka in the San Siro in 2007 was a classic of who Lennon was as a player and what he wants for his Celtic team.
I have already written on http://www.vavel.com of the extraordinary life that this young man has to live in being Celtic manager and how that shames Scotland. That he can live through that and still achieve so much in his first managerial job is remarkable. Of course the analogy also holds up when one compares the arch rivals of both Barcelona and Celtic.
Real Madrid and Rangers are both establishment clubs who have benefited from a cosy relationship with the authorities for generations to the detriment of their socially excluded rivals. Of course both the Madrilenas and the blue half of Glasgow have more than a passing acquaintance with extreme right wing politics.
It is no coincidence that left wing, progressive people all over the world love Barca to win El Classico and when it comes to the Glasgow derby the same people want the Hoops to triumph! Celtic, often called the Barcelona of Scotland, may have found what they need to Pep them up for a prolonged period of domestic dominance and European respectability.
I am sure that Neil Lennon, the green Guardiola, will be cheering on Barca tonight. What he will be watching is what he wants to create for Celtic.
I believe his vision is to have a young, mainly home grown, team which plays with skill, passion with and has an emotional connection to the fans who are the club. He knows he needs to bring in a couple of on field “body guards” for his young stars. Indeed he needs a body guard himself!
Both of these football clubs represent a people who have experienced cultural oppression. In their young managers there is now another reason to believe that they are both special.
RRC
I enjoyed reading it earlier and related pieces
ernie lynch
14:26 on 7 December, 2012
That would have made us copy cats …..LOL……See my above post …….
“One to watch for the Friday night rock music fans.
BBC4 at 9pm is showing an hour’s worth of an AC/DC live concert from River Plate in Argentina. ”
No need, just open your window, you’ll hear them just fine. por cierto
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
sir you do the blog justice
People regularly say ” It`s all about opinions.” or , much worse,” Everyone is entitled to his opinion.”
What if an opinion is that Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama are rubbish because the first doesn`t score enough and the second doesn`t take many corners?
With that in mind, I cannot take people seriously who say that Efe Ambrose and Joe Ledley are poor footballers.Or even worse, that Kris Commons falls into that bracket, too.
I am pretty sure that these same people would have been critical of Ronnie Simpson (too small) and John Clark ( isn`t seen to do enough).
There is not a bad player in our first team squad and I agree totally with Lennie. We don`t need any new players in in January. Much better to let this group become more and more of a team.
JJ
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
14:27 on
7 December, 2012
Never mind the Barca stuff. I’ve never seen someone type, in return, so fast and with so many paragraphs in my life :-)
Denia taking a penalty in a live game has little to do with technical ability.
When I saw KC in the build up to the penalty I turned to my pal and said “He’s going to put it over the bar to the right hand side.”
To be fair on Kris a few players on the pitch physically were not up to the job when it was awarded. Scott Brown.Charlie Mulgrew. Mikael Lustig. Efe Ambrose’ confidence had taken a hammering at that point. Doesn’t leave many.
goldstar10
14:23 on 7 December, 2012
___________________
I apologise profusely, Goldstar.
I had forgotten that it was yourself who had spoken to me about Big Mick.
I hope you are well & am happy to accept your judgement of a player as being a football man’s honest opinion. As you know I don’t agree with your appraisal, but that proves nothing.
Forgive my memory lapse.
Good luck.
Barca would relieve us of our best players without batting an eyelid.
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
14:27 on 7 December, 2012
The connections between Barcelona and Celtic have been written about many times. When there is an El Classico then the Celtic family are all Catalans! They know that Barca is more than a club because that is exactly how they feel about Celtic. The reason for this deep affection was probably best summed up by Barca’s current playmaker Xavi:
“Celtic, like Barcelona, are more than a football club. Our clubs are a symbol of a culture and community that has not always been made welcome in their respective countries.”
##########
Xavi never said that.
It’s a made up quote.
There’s a lot of mythology surrounding Barca that doesn’t survive close scrutiny.
They’re not the worst, but they don’t deserve the reputation they have.
London Calling. Pure magic. As an old punk who saw The Clash loads of times that was just perfect. Well done to the DJ. looking forward to giving it tight to Kilmarnock tomorrow. See you in the Chadwick ya’ll HH.
whitedoghunch
14:29 on
7 December, 2012
You are obviously a VERY observant individual ……….LOL. ……….
ntassoolla said ;
“Barca would relieve us of our best players without batting an eyelid”
Yet another thing we have in common.
Did the SFA meet yesterday ?
Cant see anything anywhere ?
Any info much appreciated.
HH
DeniaBhoy
Agree completely. In fact what I would do if I was the coach would be to get every player to hit 20 pens a day over the next few weeks and video all of them. this could be used to see which players have the best accuracy, where they get more success from etc.
This can be used to compare with videos from the keeper they will be up against so that a decision can be made on who will take the penalty and more importantly where they should aim it.
The manager should make the decision and relay this to the players. This approach I feel has 2 advantages:
1.) The analysis will have been done to provide the best chance of success; and
2.) Pressure will be off the player as they will doing exactly what they are told.
Mort
Barcelona will buy Victor next summer for his proper value of £25m and the best of luck to him. HH.
ernie
How do you know Xavi never said that?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
I am not familiar with Ed and asked him a few questions to get a feel for what type of Rangers fan he is/was. As an adult, he answered them and we moved on.
This rangers fan that approaches you in the pub and offers his cogratulations, say he sticks around and has that pint with you, wold you not be curious about his stance on his old / new club.
I started the ball rolling with some questions for Ed, but from my point,i wasn’t interrogating him.
He seems to be well guarded by some of the posters on here.
PC67
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
14:38 on
7 December, 2012
Did the SFA meet yesterday ?
Cant see anything anywhere ?
Any info much appreciated.
HH
The meeting is next Thursday
ernie lynch
14:35 on 7 December, 2012
If you don’t think Barca deserve the reputation they have, then you should take up watching cricket ……seriously,though, it is an absolute JOY watching them …… They are the best club team EVER ……and we beat them………I love Celtic, and I really like Barca……as I said, I really look forward to watching them…
Timjim
Thanks
HH
The Stranglers broad daylight on a Saturday afternoon in Battersea Park. They all got hauled off the stage and thrown into the Paddy wagons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxc9A6HyoLE
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
14:18
A simplistic view of the situation. To use your analogy tho..
Said berr walks into a Celtic bar and greets the clientele, all of them, with a ‘you all must be buzzing after that.’…’anyway I’ve not been in for months but popped my head in now and again but didn’t fancy engaging, but had noted one of the conversations I overheard was of a charity appeal. Well I have a couple of friends of the blue persuassion who have contribute to that. Just to let you know. And oh well done on your victory btw.’ Before excusing himself to go to the gents. In the 5 mins of his absence a group of Tims are falling over themselves to buy big Ted a beer. Big Ted is sitting pretty with 20 drinks to his name on his return.
Wee Izz says
‘I don’t understand that why are you all fawning over this guy?’
‘Hey Ted where’ve been the past 6 months?’
‘Barman Barman’
‘Ban this guy. He’s a wrong un.’
‘He is an alcoholic.’
‘He hates Henke.’
‘Look a him, he’s answering back.’
‘ He said Jehovah !!’
Blah Blah
‘Anyway Ted. Why are you sooo good?’
kilbowie kelt- no worries bud, how is the big fella doing, an absolute top dollar bloke, give him my best.
I really do look forward to seeing Joe getting back to very top form, we miss the bursts from midfield beyond the front players, something he excels at.
I sense his confidence is a wee bit down but he is truly a class act, as someone mentioned earlier to bring on a player of such quality is very reassuring.
HH & ATB
pedro – he’s not, he’s well regarded ! And he can more than stand up for himself.
HH
TTTT
jungle jim
14:37 on
7 December, 2012
Brilliant response …….. Also, I was going to ask Ernie who told him it was a myth…..but, I’m not as brave as you …..!!!!!!!!!………..LOL
So JJ you don’t go in for the doe eyed love-ins?
Paul67 et al
Hard to believe we have now put ten European games behind us. Now, obviously we do not know who we are playing, but we have a good idea when we are playing. We talk about being in Europe after Christmas, but the second leg of the last 16, (March 13) is only a couple of weeks shy of Good Friday. Over three months away. Or in other words, time a plenty to both plan and prepare. And we even have a mid-winter break, well a winter break anyway. Time maybe, and I know this is not yet part of his remit, for some input from Jim McGuinness. Time to focus mentally and physically on the possibilities that lie ahead. Time, as the song goes, to keep your eyes, on the prize!
The receptionist who received the prank call from an Australian radio station and thought she was speaking to the Queen has been found dead, apparent suicide.
Thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.
Mort
And still it goes on…and on and on and……
Charlie nic on Celts qualification .
“I’ve never been one to my hide my criticism but I’ve never been one to hide my compliments”
Thought provoking stuff from the sockless wonder.
Paul67
I thought you meant scored in every away game?
Not many teams will have achieved that and will be crucial in the 2 leg format
We would not be as tentative v Benfica at home were we to play them tomorrow -Tho’ I can understand why we were in “Game 1
I see Ambrose as a natural fill for Vic67 if PL cannot resist some big offers
Lassad steps in for Ghoops
I would prefer to hold them but the model will not permit the big salaries they can command – cash in and re-invest makes perfect sense
Lenny Building a dynasty
HH