Celtic v Benfica - Wednesday 7.45pm on Sky Sports 3

any chance someone record the full game for me and upload it afterwards please?

im gonna miss this one

 

Portuguese men of war ( BENFICA )

BENFICA superstar Oscar Cardozo last night revealed he’s ready to go to WAR with rivals Celtic in the Champions League.

The Paraguayan hitman will be the biggest threat to Neil Lennon’s side when the Portuguese side travel to Glasgow for Wednesday’s opener.
And 6ft 4in giant Cardozo — linked with a £20m move to Chelsea this summer — warned the Hoops defence he won’t be intimidated.
He told SunSport: “These games are very competitive for me — I will have to battle and fight against the Celtic defenders.
“But that’s not a problem. I am always comfortable in these situations.
“If Celtic play an aerial game, that is fine. The key for Benfica is not to change our style to match them.
“We don’t need to change. We must control the game and try to create danger. Any other style is not the real Benfica.”
Cardozo, 29, scored in a 1-0 win against Celtic in Lisbon when the two sides met back in the 2007/08 Champions League.
He insists the Portuguese giants are coming to Parkhead to win and has set his side a ten-point target as they chase a place in the last 16.
Cardozo said: “The numbers are very clear. If we get ten points, we will be certain to qualify for the next phase — that is our target.
“We have an advantage over Celtic because we play more regularly in Europe. The statistics back that up.
“We are coming to Glasgow to win. This match is very important because it will be a hard battle in the group. It will be a hard game. Playing away to Celtic is never easy or straightforward.
“They always pressurise teams in home games and this means that we have to be very focused in our work.
“Our squad is convinced that if we want to qualify then we must gain points on our travels.”
Cardozo doesn’t expect the absence of Georgios Samaras to have too much of a bearing on the final outcome of the game.
But he admits that the absence of their skipper Luisao — who is facing a two-month ban for shoving a ref — is a massive blow.
He said: “If Luisao does not play, we will suffer. He is such an important player.”
However, Cardozo’s team-mate Ezequiel Garay claims the loss of Samaras to an arm injury is a major plus for his side.
The Argentine stopper said: “Samaras being injured is good news for us. It means less problems for the Benfica defenders.
“The Scottish forwards will always cause you problems but if we control the situation from kick-off we can contain them.
“We will go to Glasgow with optimism but we know that it is never easy against Celtic.
“But we’re prepared to work hard and suffer on the pitch.”
Ex-Real Madrid star Garay dismissed any notion that Benfica will be happy with a draw on Wednesday — stating they are coming to win.
He said: “Do we want one point in Glasgow? No. We want to qualify as soon as possible and a victory would signal our intent.
“This game will be a great spectacle. Benfica and Celtic are two great clubs with big European traditions. I enjoy the atmosphere and intensity.”
Garay has high expectations for Benfica’s campaign after they reached the quarter-final last year before losing to winners Chelsea.
Group G is far from the easiest in this year’s tournament. Barcelona should romp it, as Spartak Moscow, Celtic and Benfica battle for second.
However, Garay claims that the Portuguese side haven’t given up hope of shocking La Liga giants Barca.
He said: “The group is open. Barcelona are the clear favourite but Benfica have a good chance of qualifying for the next round.
“Our current squad is not inferior to Celtic or Spartak Moscow. Realistically, we are aiming to finish first or second in the group.
“My team-mates are unhappy with the draw. Other Champions League groups are more complicated.
“Benfica demonstrated last year that we can play to a good level in European competitions.
“Now, we are prepared deliver a big performance in this year’s Champions League.”
Meanwhile, Benfica winger Nolito has pinpointed Hoops new boy Miku as the main threat to his side.
The Spanish ace knows all about the Venezuelan from his time with Barcelona and is also a massive fan of the ex-Getafe star.
He said: “I don’t know Miku personally but he is a very good striker and will be dangerous for Celtic.
“I’m very excited about this game. The atmosphere will be special and we are expecting a difficult test from Celtic.
“It is the first game of the Champions League and Celtic will want to give their own fans some joy, but we are ready for the challenge that lies ahead for us.”

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Good interviews, they were all very honest and respectful about Celtic, good on them

 

Get ready to be raped, Cardozo!

Glasgow Celtic, champions.

 

I love how they think we are all going to be lumping the ball 40 feet in the air and heading it with claymores while riding our haggis.

Creates the element of surprise.

 

Cardozo's goal-scoring record speaks for itself. I'm sure his Wiki stats are just about correct.

3 Febrero - 20 goals in 34 apps
Nacional Asuncion - 22 goals in 63 apps
Newell's Old Boys - 21 goals in 33 apps
Benfica - 91 goals in 138 apps

He is definitely a player we are going to have to handle if we want to take something from Benfica, he's a huge threat. However, there's been bigger and better that have froze at Celtic Park or haven't performed for one reason or another. Bring him on I say, this is what it's all about.

 

Cardozo is powerful and good in the air he'll try to bully our defense. We'll need to be at our best to stop him.

 

Rogne better * perform on Wednesday, and warrant a new contract. If ever there was a time to judge him, this'll be it. Cardozo will be a nightmare.

Hopefully Ambrose is ready, either way, and ready to control the defence. I'm expecting big things from that lad.

 

This just painted such a beautiful picture in my mind. A bit disappointed that is not actually how we play :smiley-laughing002:

 

Our defence will have to be ready for Cardozo. He'll be a massive test for us.

 

Benfica got lucky to make the quarter-finals last year and I think we'll beat them. Losing Sammy is a bit of a blow though as he's been our best player in Europe so far. Half of our 8 goals so far have had either a goal or assist from him.

 

If we stop Cardozo, we will win or at least get a draw. He is without a doubt their main threat and their most prolific goalscorer. Really hope Rogne and Ambrose, if he plays, can cope with him.

 

There's no way Lennon will throw Ambrose in against Benfica if he didn't give him a start against St Johnstone.

 

He had just returned from international duty with Nigeria a couple of days previously. I'd say he will have recovered from that by Wednesday night.

 

Lennon won't start him was what I meant. Rogne, Mulgrew, K Wilson and possibly Lustig would all get a start before him at the moment. I reckon we may see Ambrose at some point but I doubt it.

 

Is Ambrose clear to play, I heard he is having difficulty with the clearance and work permit?

 

Just went into CP chancing my luck and got a ticket, yeehaa nice wee seat right next to the benfica fans too! Buzzing, 4 years long await Come on the Hoops :icon_mrgreen:

 

For anyone interested there is 321 tickets left for this game in section 118, next to benfica fans. They handed back 400 tickets recently. Id say they will sell out in next day or so.

 

Anyone know how many benfica fans are making the journey?

 

Paddy Power go with Celtic 5/2 and make Benfica favourites at 11/10. A little surprised at those odds, Celtic are at home after all and am tempted to back Celtic dnb at 13/8 maybe. For me it's a must win game for Celtic if they are going to make an impression on this group.