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Catalonian class shines through in tough Champions League opener

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Mr Shelby, Sep 14, 2016.

By Mr Shelby on Sep 14, 2016 at 12:05 PM
  1. Mr Shelby Moderator Moderator Gold Member

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    Barcelona 7-0 Celtic


    Celts taught a footballing lesson in tough return to the big time

    [​IMG] VS [​IMG]

    Tuesday 13th September 2016
    Nou Camp
    Barcelona, Spain
    Champions League Group Stage matchday 1



    Celtic were subjected to a crushing defeat on the opening night of the Champions League as an inspired Barcelona side simply carved them open time and time again at the Nou Camp. By the end of the night, Celtic players were left out on their feet as a total of 7 goals were smashed past Dorus De Vries in nets to give the Hoops their heaviest ever European defeat. It was a rude awakening for a side who were flying after a brilliant derby win against Rangers at the weekend.

    The task of going to the Nou Camp and coming away with a result is never an easy one, though. This is in my opinion anyway, the greatest club side the world has ever seen, mainly due to the devastating 'MSN' trio up top. All three of Messi, Suarez and Neymar got themselves on the scoresheet as the back 5 of Celtic were left bewildered at their movement and intelligence with and without the ball.

    As mentioned there, Rodgers set his men up in a 5-4-1 formation from the outset for the first time this season, after only previously deploying it during the final 20 minutes away to Be'er Sheva in Israel. It was a move which did not really surprise many beforehand as playing against a side such as Barca with all the attacking threats they pose, you will have to concede the ball and defend deep in your own territory for large periods. In theory, it was a good plan and on another night it might have worked. However, last night wasn't the occasion.

    [​IMG]
    Alien: I'm beginning to wonder if Lionel Messi is actually from this planet. Imperious.

    As is so often the story with Celtic in Europe, right throughout the ages, they got off to the worst possible start only 3 minutes in. A gigantic hole was carved through the right hand side of that aforementioned 5 and Messi gleefully accepted the room afforded to him as he smashed home the opener. At this point it already looked like being a damage limitation job for Rodgers' men. They did however manage to keep the Catalonians at bay for the next 20 or so minutes and after a brief spell of rare possession, were handed a massive lifeline.

    Scott Sinclair found a pocket of space 30 yards from goal and drove at the Barca backline before slipping Moussa Dembele through. The Frenchman at first did not look favourite to reach the ball before Ter-Stegen however he used his pace brilliantly and managed to toe it past the onrushing German, who in turn brought him to the ground. Penalty.


    [​IMG]
    Huge chance: Dembele is brought down by Marc Andre Ter-Stegen

    Dembele stepped up to take it himself and after his showing at the weekend, you'd have fancied him. However, it wasn't to be. His effort was far too weak and predictable and Ter-Stegen continued his fine record of shot-stopping in Europe's premier competition, having saved 3 of the last 4 against him. All Celtic had managed to do then was anger Barcelona and it definitely showed throughout the remainder of the game.

    Their second came swiftly following the penalty miss and it was once again Lionel Messi who grabbed it. After some irresistible link up between both him and Neymar, the Brazilian picked his striking partner out in the centre of the box for a simple tap in. This goal came on 30 minutes and fortunately for Celtic no more were to come before the half time whistle was blown. Unfortunately though, the worst was yet to come.

    Before the scoring could continue, Andres Iniesta was introduced to the action for the second 45 to the dismay of every Celtic fan watching. The luxury of being able to bring on a man who scored the winner in a World Cup final is afforded to few clubs other than Barcelona. Their third then came through Neymar on 50 minutes from a free kick just outside the box. Questions will be asked of De Vries over whether he could have done better after getting a hand to the shot, however it was an excellent strike nonetheless. The fourth and fifth goals were the real suckerpunches though, coming within just a minute of each other. The half time sub Iniesta grabbed the fourth, a stunning volley from inside the box, cannoned into the roof of the net, before Messi once again toed the ball in from a Suarez square to make it 5 and in turn complete his hat-trick. Celtic were now wishing for the whistle to be blown, but there was still another half hour to play, incredibly.


    [​IMG]
    Genius: Iniesta celebrates his stunning goal

    A further two goals were to follow with Luis Suarez netting a stunning control and finish which his overall performance deserved. The Uruguayan then seriously rubbed it in when he double his tally for the night on the 88th minute. Luckily, that was the end of it.

    You could try and be critical of Celtic tonight, afterall, any side which loses 7-0 will usually be given pelters and quite rightly. However, against a side such as this, it is not really a surprising scoreline to many. Dissapointing? Yes. Embarrassing? I’ll leave that up to you to decide. The Hoops were quite frankly seriously out of their comfort zone yesterday evening and were shown up by a far, far superior side. In hindsight Rodgers' men couldn't have picked a worse time to play Luis Enrique’s gang following their defeat against Alaves at the weekend which had left them severely wounded and baying for blood.

    Yes, it could be argued that Celtic afforded them too much space for some of the goals and in general gave them far too much respect. A more aggressive approach may have yielded more rewards but then again, it may have opened up even more space for the home side to exploit. A lot of the time when facing Barcelona you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Sometimes in football and in life you just have to hold your hands up and admit to being completely and utterly outclassed.

    Luckily this was the hardest game of all 6 group stage fixtures Celtic have to face and it is imperative that the players and management now pick themselves up and continue to build on what has been a terrific start to the season so far. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Arsenal are just a few of the sides who have been on the end of trouncings at the Nou Camp in recent years, this result was no fluke. 5 months ago many of the Hoops faithful would not have envisaged even being back in the big time after a dismal 2 years in qualifying. It is not a pretty result by any means but there is still the potential for some big nights in the months to come. A lot of good work has been done in a very short space of time by Brendan Rodgers. Let’s not allow one result against a side from another planet altogether cloud that.