Atletico Madrid v Celtic, September 15th

Id rather be playing Falcao than Aguero or Forlan though so its not as bad as it could have been if they were still there, I think theyre worse than they have been in a while although obviously still a good team.

 

Falcao is better than Aguero. Not only that but he is an absolute machine in this competition.

 

Anyone know when tickets go on sale?

 

I don't agree with that.

 

The game could be interesting, with the comments coming from Sion Chairman it could be Ath Madrid v Celtic and Sion. Can you imagine they turn up on the night of the game.

 

so whats the cost of a ticket for this game in madrid ???

 

Aye does anyone have any info about the ticketing for the game? I stayed in Madrid last year and went to a few Atleti games. Judging by last seasons Europa league turnout at the Calderon, I can't see much of a problem in getting seats in with the home support, but of course, a ticket in the Celtic end would be ideal. Im goin over for the game, but still have no idea about how to get a Celtic end ticket. Any info?

 

I don't either, if he was we dont have much of a chance , Going to be a very very tough match here, i just hope lennon doesen't play samaras, if he doesen't we have a chance.

 

I’ve been thinking about this for a while and have came to the conclusion I don’t want our key players out there, we must keep them wrapped in wool for the Old Firm game a three days later. Clearly it is the most important of the two. However I don’t want us to get skelpt either so I think this would be best:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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Mathews Wilson Rogne Mulgrew<o></o>​

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With Wanyama anchoring infront of the defence to give them a bit of protection and Ledley and Brown getting thereselves about in midfield, our right hand side has real pace with both Mathews and Forrest there and Samaras is adept at playing the counter attacking role upfront himself. The most important thing for me is that Kayal and Hooper should not be involved, Bangura and Stokesy on the bench just incase they are needed. <o></o>
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Looking at the team we would be a real danger from set pieces and corners so we would need to play for them, with Samaras at 6’4, K. Wilson 6’3, Mulgrew 6’3 and Wanyama 6’2 we would be a real danger when the ball is being thrown into their box, whilst still having ball players like Forrest, Ledley (who is 6’0 himself) Mathews and Commons on the pitch.<o></o>
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Not the strongest team we could have but I think it would be right for this occasion.<o></o>

 

normally it would annoy me a little that we don't want to put out our strongest squad, but your reasoning is sound.

 

I know what you mean but the league is the be all and end all this season. Nothing else matters.

 

I get you, but the set piece part holds no ground, sorry. Our defenders may be tall, but they are * when trying to score set piece goals. One of them might be taking the set pieces, actually.

 

you're definitely right but I think we need to put some kind of showing in Europe. the idea of being the team "let" back in just to get repeatedly pumped worries me a little. not that I think that will happen.

 

I would leave the set pieces to Commons, Mulgrew to take them only if it's from a shooting position.

I don't agree with the bit about scoring set piece goals, Daniel Majstorivic is * at scoring set piece goals. Annoyingly he seems to to win 90% of headers in the box for us.

Mulgrew is usually quite composed, Rogne has shown before he can power in a header, Samaras is not the best but can and has done it before and who the * knows about Wanyama and Wilson? Joe Ledley has been quite good with headers before as well.

The fact that there is so many big guys there and Atletico's team is not the biggest. I think it would be the best way to go, while trying to protect Hooper and Kayal for the big game at the weekend.

Diego Godin is there most accomplished player in the air, he is 6'1. Perea will be there other CB at 5'11. They are a wee team, I don't particulary like this way of going about it but I think it's needed. We can't pass around them but we can keep it tight hassle and hurry them and be more physical.

 

I think Ledley has the most accurate headers of all the players in our main team. A tragedy, as he's not that tall- meaning Godin and Perea can mark him with no major problems. Samaras was a danger in the air when Gordon was the gaffer. He's lost that since then. At least he can get flick-ons to someone, though. Kelvin Wilson doesn't get into good positions. Rogne often has a narrow miss when trying to score. And Mulgrew will have to take set pieces, as Commons is not that great of a crosser. We'd have a decent shot at scoring a header if Rasmussen played, but is he even registered?
Also, you put Samaras as the lone CF. But Lennon seems to like playing him against the Ibroke mob. Maybe he's getting rested, and the usual front 2 come out against AtM?

 

I'm sorry but Celtic score one corner out of every 50 or 60, I never expect anything from corners against any team and setting up to play that way wont help.

However I almost agree with your team, the only problem for me is that Old Firm at the weekend or not Kayal has to play over Wanyama. Our midfield is key against a side like Atletico Madrid and Kayal is needed to add some bite to it. If any of our players can give 100% on the Thursday and then again on the Sunday I would say Kayal would be one of the most likely.

 

I doubt Lennon will go for Samaras as a lone striker again against Rangers, he'll have 2 up against them. The last 15 minutes with Stokes getting it right up them at Ibrox showed that for me, no matter what though Hooper will play if he's fit.

I don't think we've seen enough of Wilson yet to judge and I think it's a bit mental to say that Kris Commons hasn't got a good cross. The action he gets on the ball is really good.

 

He would be the most likely, however if his body can handle it who knows? I don't want Kayal * for the Old Firm match. I know your point about the corners but if you look at our corners, I swear to * we get so many good chances and almost every single time Daniel Majstorivic is the one that meets that cross and he is * * awful at directing a header.

Ki isn't in that team either due to me thinking he is a key player.

 

It's not just Majstorović who squanders chances. I've seen K. Wilson, Mulgrew, Stokes...all either miss the header or get a bad connection on it. Our best chance is a Commons long-range bomb or a direct free kick by Mulgrew.

 

There's not a chance Lenny will drop Kayal and Ki for this game. He came out and said that we need Europe so that the players can keep improving and not stagnate, Kayal and Ki are our best players with the most potential therefore he will start them as this will be the hardest game against the best opposition in our group.

I wish he did rest them as the league is far more important and I would rather them fully fit to smash the huns, but they are athletes and should be able to handle 2 big games with 3 days rest in between.