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'Battle of Britain' friendly ends in defeat

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Mr Shelby, Jul 23, 2016.

By Mr Shelby on Jul 23, 2016 at 10:14 PM
  1. Mr Shelby Moderator Moderator Gold Member

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    Unlucky Celts lose on penalties against well organised Leicester

    [​IMG] 1 VS 1 (5-6 on penalties) [​IMG]

    Celtic Park
    Glasgow
    Saturday 23rd July 2016
    International Champions Cup Friendly


    In a friendly which had been highly anticipated in both Scotland and England, it was Leicester who took the spoils in an open and entertaining pre-season clash at Celtic Park. Any game involving both the Scottish and English champions is sure to be more than just a 'friendly' and it was clear from the kick off that there was a slight edge to the game, as both sides set a decent tempo for the vast majority of the match.

    As English Premier League champions, Leicester were obviously fancied by most prior to kick off. However with Celtic having now played 8 games since returning for pre-season and with this being only Leicester's second game, the Celts put on a more than respectable performance and can perhaps feel unlucky to lose in the end. Even if the result means little in the long term.

    With a huge Champions League qualifier to come mid-week, it would have been no surprise if Brendan Rodgers chose to rest his main players. However, the likes of Brown, Lustig, Griffiths, Roberts and Dembele all saw significant playing time which will certainly help their fitness at this stage of the season and heading into that aforementioned game against Astana in Kazakhstan.

    With Leicester still getting up to speed as they prepare to defend their Premier League crown, most of their main men began the match. One of them, Riyad Mahrez, was undoubtedly one of the best players on the pitch. The Algerian's meteoric rise continues to show no signs of faltering and he looks suitably prepared to improve on his form from last season. Whether Leicester themselves will be able to reap the rewards of that form, remains to be seen.

    As previously mentioned, the game was played at a decent pace all things considered. With Celtic employing a 3-5-2 formation once again at the back, Leicester were able to take advantage at certain points early on with their pace on the counter. Mahrez was clearly the main threat to the Celtic defence with both Demarai Gray and Marc Albrighton proving to be lingering threats also. The first main chance for the visitors came on the 11th minute when Mahrez managed to play a lovely ball across the Celtic box towards Leonardo Ulloa, who looked certain to slot past Craig Gordon in goal. However, he hadn't counted on Saidy Janko getting back just in time to put him off and his shot was skewed wide.

    The opening stages of the game were very even and both sides struggled in all honesty to create that many clear cut chances. New Celtic signing Moussa Dembele still looks eager to make an impression and went close on the 18th minute with a good shot after turning in the box. Zieler was equal to it in goals however and saved well. The next best chance once again fell to the visitors with that man Mahrez jinking inside on the 25th minute before curling a shot just by the post. Celtic had been doing ok in possession up until this point but struggled to really break down a Leicester side which is now famous for it's sturdiness at the back. Left back Chilwell went close for them just past the half hour with a header at the back post but it was cushioned straight at Gordon.

    [​IMG]
    Mahrez discusses tactics with team-mate Amartey during the match

    Celtic came into the game slightly more towards the end of the first half however and were given a good opportunity to score after Moussa Dembele had bamboozled centre half Hernandez on the edge of the box to earn a free-kick. Leigh Griffiths stepped up to take it and powered a shot at Ron-Robert Zieler in goal who done well to palm it behind for a corner. If not, it was definitely going to be the opener in what was so far a very tight affair. Celtic huffed and puffed at times right throughout the first half and Leicester certainly looked dangerous however in the end both sides went in level.

    Celtic made only one change at the interval with Efe Ambrose replacing Mikael Lustig, no doubt with one eye on the game mid-week. Many fans were barely back from collecting their half time pies when the opening goal finally came on 46 minutes. After showing glimpses of his devastating ability in the first half, Riyad Mahrez was the man to get it for the visitors with a brilliant finish. After beating two Celtic defenders on the far right hand side of the box, he cut inside and instinctively bent the ball into the top right hand corner. Gordon was left with absolutely no chance.

    [​IMG]
    Izaguirre cannot stop Mahrez as he opens the scoring

    Leicester arguably deserved the goal but Celtic came back into the game well and backed by a good home support as ever, found the equaliser from an unlikely source 13 minutes later. Eoghain O'Connell is not a name most Hoops fans would think of when looking for a goal. However, the young centre half could now perhaps be pushing for a place up front after his impressive finish this evening. After failing to clear the ball convincingly enough, Leicester presented O'Connell with a chance on the edge of the box. Now, in most cases, if a centre half was to run onto the ball 20 or 25 yards from goal, the spectators in row Z would be getting ready to duck. On this occasion though, they had no need to worry as the big Irishman coolly opened up his body and placed the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Kasper Schmeichel's goal, who had replaced Zieler at half time. It was a spectacular finish from a man not known for his goalscoring prowess, he himself looked a bit surprised, albeit overjoyed.

    [​IMG]
    O'Connell is mobbed by his teammates after his equaliser

    The goal certainly seemed to lift Celtic and they enjoyed most of the possession for the remainder of the second half. This could have perhaps been down to Leicester tiring slightly as the fast tempo of the game tailed off. The home side made more changes to their side just after the hour mark with Ciftci, Fasan, Johansen and Forrest all getting some minutes. As the clock ticked away, Leicester retreated further and further into their own half and chances were hard to come by for both sides. In the end, the game headed straight to pens due to tournament rules. What followed was a good lesson by both sides on how to properly take penalties. With 5 taken and scored by each side, James Forrest was the unlucky player who missed for the Hoops and Daniel Amartey was able to capitalise and win the game for the English side. It was a cruel way to lose as always however luckily it was only a friendly!

    [​IMG]
    James Forrest misses the crucial penalty

    Brendan Rodgers is surely happy this evening after another good showing from his side. There are definitely things to work on and more players to come and go, however it is slowly coming together. The signing of experienced centre back Kolo Toure and the potential arrival of Scott Sinclair, a man who the gaffer knows all too well, can only be important steps forward as the new era continues to take shape.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 23, 2016