Benfica v Celtic, 20/11/12, 7:45PM.

He wasn't

 

lack of match fitness,injuries carrying injuries,it seems to be our problem this year we could open a hospital at cp cos we would fill it with our players,i hope the bhoys patch themselves up and give it one last almighty go they deserve it

 

We didn't play to win. Far too negative. Very disappointed. Worried about the last game now.

 

real shity night last night back to out usual self in away ties just when you think we have turned a corner, created sweet fa in my eyes lack of vision and creativity from the bhoys could retain the ball for longer than 5 mins ffs

hooper shocking seems to do fa sometimes and doesnt do half as much running as watt would of

sammy usual hasnt a clue sometimes then comes up with the odd bita magic

mulgrew couldnt control the ball when it mattered

brown ............. why o why o why is this fella starting no only is he injured isnt good enough full stop

wanyama was good but was holding back for obvious reasons

imo kayal has the bit between the teeth when he came on chasing the ball down blocking shots etc etc

something they all should of done

lazy match from the lads but i know we will be in last 16 no way barca will lose there home record in europe and no way celtic fans will give moscow a second in glasgow

coybig

 

Wow come on guys it's wasn't that bad! I know I must've had my green tinted glasses on because during the game although we made a few rudimentary mistakes especially giving the ball away too easy by trying to dribble too much (Sammy and Efe) but Benfica were really pressurising at a high tempo and I thought they played out of their skins. They were definitely a totally different team from the one who played at Parkhead. I know they were missing a couple players then but Broony bossed the midfield for a lot of that game and it's just a shame we didn't have striker fit. At least that's how I remember it. They came into it a little bit but where nowhere near as adventurous. Whether that was us being a match for them or them playing it safe I'm not sure. I do know we should have won but we had noone to play it through to up front.

I agree with some people that I thought Lenny should have gone with the same team who beat Barca (still feels weird saying that! ) because I think Miku played well against them and he's used to the Iberian football culture if that makes sense.

Ambrose was a bit indecisive in his moves into midfield but he actually looked quite skillful before he seemed to remember he was out of position and paniced. I also think we could have done better up front when we had the few bits of possession in the second half. Commons could have crossed maybe and Watt also took a shot when he could have passed but he's a young gun and can't blame him for attempting what he's good at. Pity his last shot didn't land on Hooper's foot.

Agree that Brown shouldn't have played when he was obviously not fit enough and as I said we beat Barca without him. Forster was immense as always, he's the equivalent of a striker to us with the goals he prevents.

Mulgrew must always start, his dead ball skills are invaluable as he proved in at least the last 3 games now with the cross at Camp Nou and the exquisite corners against Barca and replicated last night. Second corner was not so good though so lack of concentration there/

I think I had the green glasses on because I still believe this is a squad in development and they have been playing above their level in Europe so far. But mainly I think Benfica played really well, they were so fast and seemed to have more players on the pitch so I guess they just wanted it more because it was do or die for them. You think maybe the Barca result made us take our eye off the ball because we had definite European football then? Lol it's all hindsight. I have to give Lenny a break for last night too, he's developing so fast it almost makes us feel like we were going in there as equals but the monetary difference is massive and was obvious with some of the subtle skills their players were pulling off like nutmegs only expensive players even attempt.

Someone made a suggestion about Efe playing midfield. I know it's a very important game and no time for Fantasy Football I had the same thought watching him as he seems to have a keen attacking sense while being quite tidy on the ball. Would be interesting in the future to see him there in a couple of SPL games.

It's great to know we're in Europe after Christmas though and with Hooper and Sammy fully fit we should give Spartak a good game. Strange thing is when a team has nothing to play for you never know what you're going to get, relaxed and confident playing for pride or no heart in it. It shouldn't matter though as when they hear 60,000 spartans the team will be inspired. Messi going for Muller's record should hopefully mean Barca do their bit though if Benfica attack their defence like last night then jeez oh but hopefully they won't see anywhere near as much of the ball.

Already been mentioned but it's quite sobering seeing the two EPL multi billionaire teams all but out and City might not even get Europa ffs how gutted must their fans be. So I know it's just post match discussion but a 2 1 defeat in Benfica is not so bad because I really believe they would have beaten Chelsea and City last night. Poor Spartak btw, why did they come out and try to play Barca, did they not do any research? :icon_mrgreen:

Just one last point, I think the game last night could turn out to be a great lesson for the players and hopefully aid them in their tactics against Spartak. It's the essence of European football and why I love the Champion's League format. It gives players and coaches not only the opportunity to learn invaluable lessons from totally different styles and cultures so to progress individually and as a team but further games in which to test out their new ideas. Being allowed to fail and come back stronger is what makes it so exciting. The old European cup had no such mercies thus less potential for development. Maybe that is why teams won it back to back, something yet to be done in the new format.

Green tinted glasses!

 

Oh ffs that started out as one paragraph Plus it was in another thread about 'where did we go wrong?' when I started hahah where did that thread go?

 

jesus christ :O

 

18 months ago we were put in a group with rennes athletic madrid udinese a tough group no one thought we would do anything! We put our stamp on them teams ok we couldve and maybe shouldve done better but i think we done very well and tbh the winners of the comp came from our group and went on to beat the CL winners this year in the H2H! This year we got put in a group with spartak moscow benfica and the mighty barcelona and to be sitting in a position we r now we have exceeded my and most peoples expectations and secured european football after christmas and hopefully we will be still in the CL but this has all been done on a 'shoestring' budget in comparison to the teams that are in this comp! Christ man city have spent buckets and look all but out aswel as chelsea! NL and his backroom staff have done a phenomenal job to get us to where we are atm and if we keep on this steady track we will (and must) get better! All hope of qualifying for the last 16 relies heavily on the final fixtures of the group but i feel we can do it but even if we dont and go on a good run in the europa league we have made a mark in europe! So benfica beat us and we played poorly! So what we win at CP in 2 weeks i think we are through! Thanks lenny and the bhoys in green n white and lets go on and do this

Rant over
HH

EDIT this was planned for the CL chat thread ffs * mistake

 

Played the worst we've played in Europe for about 2 years, and still only got beat by 1 goal, away from home to a great European team with 10x more money than us.

I ain't mad!

 

If we play 4-4-2 away from home in Europe we will lose almost every time. I was really disappointed to see Neil Lennon fall into that trap again last night.

 

Skys coverage last night was woeful! If you are going to have us as the main game then surely get some pundits in that have an idea about our team and can name more than three players. Huddle and Wilkins were clueless and Collins carried them both. Add to the fact Wilkins hates us with a passion!
What's happened to Charlie Nicholas he used to cover all our games?

 

Hello guys. Im benfica fan. So, about the game yesterday, with was a good game, i think our victory were deserved. About spectators, it was 47k only cuz, portugal people its with alot of economic difficulties and in addition when it's bad conditions like cold, rain.. the "normal" fans just prefer to watch the game in television. I hate that mentality of some fans of lisbon -.- some guys just appear in stadium when benfica its in good a moment. We got like 14 millions supporters around the world, most in New Jersey, Brazil, Venezuela, France (alot, when we go to play in france there's like 20/30k of our fans in stadium), africa countrys etc.

Now about celtic, i just liked "YNWA" with barca. Very very impressive. I have a question guys. Why most of u guys have Ireland flags if celtic its from scotland?

Sorry my bad english :c

 

I think everyone is just dissapointed thus the looking for scapegoats etc. Yes, we played badly last night. We have a young team so consistency will be a problem. And as others have stated, the difference in the kind of money we have to spend compared to others in this group is massive. We are still in a great position in the group and only one game to play. If i am reading it correctly we only have to better Benfica's result against Barca. So if they lose 4-0, we can afford to lose 3-0 and still go through, Im not worried at all.

 

Because Celtic were founded by an Irishman and have many fans from Ireland.

 

Welcome my friend. Celtic were founded by an Irishman, Brother Walfrid, to raise funds for poor Irish emigrants in Glasgow in the 1800's and that was the beginning of the Irish connection.

 

It is becasue our club was formed for charity reasons to help out those in need in the late 19th century. At the time a lot of those in need were Irish immigrants and we have kept those traditions over the years. We have a large Irish fanbase which the huge majority of us are proud of.

Well done on last night, SLB totally deserved their victory. We did not play too well but there is no doubt you guys were the better team.

 

Ahhh, and what about religion, dont know why, here some people just say celtic fans are "calotics". can u explain me? thanks mate

 

Does anyone else smell hun, or is that just my drains again?

 

Celtic has fans of different religions and beliefs. We are a club open to all.

 

Thanks guys for aswners I just like celtic since u guys did this in 2007 i think. Very Very good. U guys are so good people and very fair play fans.
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