Bhoys Shine in Budapest. Ferencvaros 2-3 Celtic 04/11/21

EUROPA LEAGUE

MATCHDAY 4


Thursday 4th November 2021



Ferencvaros 2-3 Celtic

Scorers: Celtic. Kyogo (3) Jota (23) Abada (60)

Ferencvaros: Juranović (o.g.11) Uzuni (86)


Groupama Stadium. Budapest K.O. 8pm


Ange Postecoglou declared the match was “a must win” against Ferencvaros in Hungary in the return leg of this double header. The signs were positive after winning the first game 2-0 at Celtic Park and it should have been more. A few changes were required from the side that started against Livingston in the league. Stephen Welsh was called upon to replace the injured Starfelt and Giakoumakis dropped to the bench to make way for Kyogo.

The final score line of 2-3 was definitely flattering for the Hungarians as the Celts played them off the park mostly and should have had at least two more goals. That said, Ferencvaros didn’t roll over and play dead and they also had missed opportunities. It was Celtic who very quickly got to work as they swarmed Ferencvaros and it paid off in 3 minutes.

Liel Abada saw a slack pass back by Ćivić and intercepted. He squared the ball to Kyogo who was just inside the box and the Japanese switched the ball from his right to left boot and struck sweetly past Bogdán to put the Bhoys ahead. It was our 11th consecutive game away in Europe where Celtic have taken the lead and was Kyogo’s 11 goals in 17 appearances.



Celtic held the lead for only 8 minutes as Ferencvaros pulled level with a goal on 11 minutes and it was slack play by Abada added with a large slice of bad luck. Abada tried to lob the ball in a dangerous area but it was received kindly by the Hungarians and it was fed through to the right of the pitch to Oleksandr Zubkov. He made into the Celtic box and fired a cross that was wildly deflected off a sliding Juranović only to loop over a stranded Hart and into the far left corner.



On 23 minutes Hart got down to smother a Ferencvaros effort and he quickly released Calum McGregor to break away at the other end. He passed to Jota on the left who broke through on goal and let fly with a shot that took a deflection off a defender's shoulder and flew past Adam Bogdán to make it 1-2 Celtic. A few minutes later Hart was on hand again to keep the advantage when he saved at his right post.

It was high tempo by Celtic and they were surging forward at every opportunity looking for a third to try to kill the tie and already in the first 35 minutes, Ferencvaros looked shattered chasing Celtic. There were efforts by Ralston, McGregor and some lovely trickery in the box by Abada laid on for McGregor who saw his strike saved by the Ex Hibernian goalie Bogdán just before half time.



Just a few moments into the second half Nguen hit a wicked curling shot from the edge of the box and over Hart only to see it hit the crossbar. Celtic again broke out quickly and from a free kick floated into Anthony Ralston his header rattled the Hungarians crossbar at the other end. The game was certainly heating up and made for brilliant viewing.

Celtic were looking slick on the ball and the passing and movement was giving Ferencvaros headaches. A moment of brilliance saw a one two between Kyogo and Turnbull, the ex Motherwell man lifted the ball over from the halfway line to land perfectly at Kyogo’s feet and he raced one on one with the keeper. A deft chip over and the ball was heading goal bound until a last gasp clearance off the line by Miha Blâzič.

That third goal arrived on the hour mark and the build up play and the finish was something of beauty. Turnbull showed determination when he won the ball back on the half way line and fed through to McGregor. The captain made up some ground to pass to Kyogo who slipped it through to Abada. The young Israeli made no mistake as he blasted the ball from an angle, under the keeper and into the far left corner of the goal. Celtic were literally cruising here and were deserving of the lead.



Jota was once again showing his value and more, his marauding forward up the line and in 66 minutes he absolutely tortured his marker by bringing him up and down several times with fancy footwork. Sitting with a two goal advantage, big Ange decided to freshen things up. On came Giakoumakis, Forrest and Mikey Johnston and Off went Kyogo, Abada and Jota. This would take the fluency out of Celtic’s play but the players who came on did well.



77 minutes saw the impressive Nir Bitton pull up with cramp and had to be replaced by James McCarthy. Celtic were fitter, faster and sharper in every department and Forrest was looking hungry getting into good positions and getting forward when he was on the ball. Ferencvaros pulled a second goal back and it was a cracking strike from Uzuni. Mikey Johnston was dispossessed when he slipped and from the edge of the box Uzuni fired into the top right corner. It was against the run of play and it wouldn’t be a usual European tie without a Celtic blunder at the back.

Celtic held out for the final nervous minutes but should not have been in this position. Giakoumakis and Forrest were doing their part in taking the ball and running the clock down. It was a brilliant victory away and a very high standard performance in attack but we need more concentration and shrewdness in defence. Six points taken off the Hungarians over two games sees the Bhoys sitting in third place and one point behind Betis. We definitely have European football after Christmas and at worst, dropping into the Conference competition.



Next up is Dundee away On Sunday and it is imperative that we pick up full points to stay within touching distance. Bitton should be good to go but there are question marks over Welsh and whether Starfelt will be fit again? Then we head into another international break until we face Aberdeen at the end of the month.


MOTM: Kyogo. Such a talent and so infectious with it. Playing with a smile as he rips opposition defences to shreds. 9/10


LINEUPS:


FERENCVAROS: Bogdán, Somalia, Blâzič, Mmaee, Ćivić, Vécsei, Läidouni, Zubkov, Zachariassen, Nguen, Uzuni. Subs: R.Mmaee, Kovačević, Mak, Botka, Čabraja, Wingo, Lončar, Csontos, Mergl, Szánthó.


CELTIC: Hart, Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Welsh, Juranović, Bitton, Abada, Turnbull, McGregor, Jota, Kyogo. Subs: Scales, Giakoumakis, Soro, McCarthy, Johnston, Urhoghide, Bain, Shaw, Murray, Forrest, Montgomery, Oluwayemi.


POSSESSION: Ferencvaros 44% - 56% Celtic


SHOTS: Ferencvaros 15 - 12 Celtic


SHOTS ON TARGET: Ferencvaros 4 - 5 Celtic


By Packybhoy.