UCL Last 16: Celtic v Juventus Chat

Excellent performance against a very good Fiorentina team. Vucinic and De Ceglie went off with injuries, which is a worry, but early reports are that they were just precautionary substitutions.

I think the only changes for Tuesday will be Bonucci for Marrone and Caceres for Peluso. Matri has been in good form recently, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him keep his place.

 

LETS DO THIS!!!

 

Not really in Italy we're used to great tifo ^^

 

Not like a Champions League game at Parkhead. big part of the reason an Italian team have never beat us at home since the new stadium was built.

 

Matthews at left back ahead of izzy for me. He just seems more solid than izzy at the moment.

 

Another determined and clinical performance is what's required, a smart take on "getting in about them" will frustrate them I reckon. Need everyone to be on their game for the full 90 minutes, a bit of luck and for Hooper and co to take their chances. Wanyama v Pirlo could be the decisive battle in midfield.

Hooper and Wanyama, 2-1 to the hoops.

 

Don't forget that Juve's last group stage match was in Donetsk, one of the most difficult places to go in Euroe, against a Shaktar Donetsk side that had won something like 35 home matches in a row. A number of Juve players have played in World Cups and Euros, so I think they may be used to difficult atmospheres.

I have no doubt that the atmosphere at Celtic Park will be superb, and it will undoubtedly be a big advantage for Celtic, but many of our players have been around the block and will know what to expect.

 

I believe our home record is better than Shaktars. Also, world cup winners, Champs League winners have all came and lost.

It's a strange thing but it is something that has been proven an advantage to us.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it is a big advantage for you, there's no doubt about that. It's just that talking about a 'culture shock' (I'm not sure if it was you or somebody else who made that comment, to be honest) makes it sound as though Juve's players have never played in a highly-charged atmosphere.

 

Aye, I know what you mean but players like Pirlo have experienced it several times and haven't won there. I'm sure, deep down, that is something he worries about.

 

i beleive the opposition players at this level dont get stage fright againt us just that on these nights the atmosphere lifts our players on most occasions making them hard to beat for fact they will give a hundred and ten per cent

 

I think it's a bit of both to be honest.

 

i get what youu mean dev with the likes of spartak but with teams like barca they threw everything and the kitchen sink at us still we won any other team would have been gubbed by barcas performance at celtic park that night

 

I just think it happens to often for it to be just our spirits lifted.

 

Agree with this.

 

Buzzing for this now!

 

Anyone have any big pre-match superstitions they follow? Lucky tops etc etc.

 

I have to have a shower right before every game.:smiley-laughing002:

 

I think you're both wrong (it's comments like this that make me so popular here, I know )

Dev, it certainly does make a difference, there's no doubt about it and I believe we can beat anyone at home; but we're not unbeatable at home, as Barca have proved twice. It is relevant that Juve went to Shakhtar Donetsak and won, it shows they can handle this kind of thing, so on this occasion it'll be all about the boost it gives our players.


Buendia, I actually don't think the atmosphere at Celtic Park on Champions League nights is exactly hostile (it used to be very hostile for Rangers matches, but they're dead now, so that's OK), it's hard to explain what it is, but you should be thinking more Borrusia Dortmund than Galatasary. If you're going you'll have a great time. I really think it might take all but your most experienced players by surprise, though.

I'm expecting a really close, hard fought game at Celtic Park. I'm expecting to lose in Turin, so we need to win if we're to have any hope. Very worried that Forster is rusty as *.

 

Forster


Matthews Ambrose Wilson Izaguirre


Forrest Brown Wanyama Mulgrew

.....................................................Samaras
Hooper

Think that would be my team if all fit. Toss up between Matthews and Lustig - would usually opt for Lustig in Europe but Matthews' form makes him so hard to leave out. If Mulgrew is needed at centre half or left back (Ambrose/Izaguirre) then I'd stick Ledley in there, covering that left sided central midfield position and acting as cover for Samaras.

EDIT: Thinking about it, I'd probably play Matthews at left back, with Lustig on the right.
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