The UEFA Champions League Group C game between Celtic and Barcelona at the Celtic Park on November 23 ended in a 0-2 defeat for the hosts and their exit from Europe for this season was confirmed. On the other hand, with Manchester City dropping points in their game against Borussia Monchengladbach, the victory for Barcelona ensured that the Catalans will finish the group as toppers irrespective of the results in the final round of group matches.
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After a 7-0 defeat in the reverse fixture in Champions League this season, the focus was on how Brendan Rodgers will get his team to raise their game at their home ground and keep the MSN trio of Barcelona quiet. While the Hoops did put in an improved performance, it wasn’t enough as a Lionel Messi brace meant that the team was eliminated from Europe (with Gladbach confirming the Europa League spot).
We take a look at the talking points of the game:
#1 Messi breaks Celtic resistance with a sublime opening goal
Having conceded 7 goals in the reverse fixture at Camp Nou, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers had mentioned before the game that he wanted a better game from his defence at Parkhead. Cheered on by the local fans, the Hoops started the game solidly and avoided conceding in the early minutes (unlike at Camp Nou, when Barcelona scored in the third minute to start the goal-fest).
But defending against the attack trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez is always difficult for any opposition in the world, and the Celtic resistance was broken in the 24th minute when Neymar cleverly lobbed the ball from the left into the box to land perfectly for Messi to shoot with a first-time volley at the near post.
The goal was Barcelona’s 400th under Luis Enrique’s management in all competitions and quality of the assist by Neymar and finish by Messi ensured it was a worthy goal for the landmark.
#2 Celtic left to rue missed chances yet again
The 7-0 thrashing that Celtic received at Camp Nou earlier this season could have been very different had Moussa Dembele converted the penalty early in the game when the deficit was just 1-0.
Moussa Dembele can be considered at fault yet again as the striker failed to score off a free header as his weak touch went straight to Ter Stegan from 6 yards, and the Hoops missed out on the opportunity to level the game.
Celtic enjoyed more opportunities in the game especially aided by some sloppy play at the back by Barcelona, but the hosts were unable to take advantage and finished the game without scoring any goals.
#3 Barcelona secure win, Messi closes the gap
Though Messi had put the visitors 1-0 ahead, the Celtic attack threatened to take advantage of a shaky and vulnerable Barcelona defence and equalise. Hence it was important for Barcelona to increase their lead to help strengthen their hold on the game. And the Barcelona talisman did just that by calming slotting in the penalty from the spot to score his second goal of the game after Luis Suarez was fouled by Emilio Izaguirre inside the Celtic box in the 54th minute for which the home team was penalised.
The goal was Messi’s 92nd in Champions League and he reduced the gap with Cristiano Ronaldo to just 3 goals as the duo continue their race to be the first player to reach 100 goals in Champions League history.
#4 Brilliant home support by the Celtic fans
Luis Enrique had spoken about the famed Celtic Park atmosphere during matches before the game, and the home crowd ensured that the visiting Barcelona team and supporters will remember the experience. The rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone before the start of the game, and the constant roars cheering for the home team by the vocal fans helped the Celtic players raise their game and for large periods of the match, they were able to cause problems for their opponents.
However, one player who may not have left Parkhead with very fond memories is Neymar (despite the lovely assist to create the opening goal), as the player was loudly booed by the home fans after being substituted following a booking. The player came into the game with prior history of animosity with the Celtic fans after the controversial sending off of Scott Brown for a soft challenge on Neymar in the same fixture in 2013.
#5 Barcelona’s defensive performance gives Luis Enrique food for thought
Barcelona’s season so far hasn’t been up to their lofty standards, as the team is 4 points behind the table toppers Real Madrid in the La Liga, and came into this game with just 2 wins in last 5 games in all competitions. While the team boasts of arguably the best forward line in the world, the defence has got some flak this season for some poor performances.
While the team did manage a clean sheet in the game, the defensive performance will surely give Luis Enrique plenty of food for thought as he will be aware that the sloppiness in defense didn’t hurt the side only because of some wasteful finishing by the Celtic attack, and a stronger team would surely have scored from the chances.
