Celtic's Champions League season 17/18

I don't think this team will defend deep ,we can't let them push us back,they are very phyisicaly strong and fast going forward,my worry is our pace at the back ,only tierney could handle that.
They seemed wasteful in good positions going forward.
If we can keep possetion well ,we will get space to play,think this team are taylor made for Griff .

 

Looking at Astana's recent record in Europe:

Last year in the Europa League group stages they got beat by everyone in their group when playing away.

2-1 Apoel Nicosia
4-1-Olympiacos
3-0 Young boys

So they rely heavily on their home games (A bit like us in Europe tbf, although we are improving and playing higher standard opposition).

Their home games from that group last year weren't great either, they drew 2 and won 1.

0-0 Young boys
1-1 Olympiacos
2-1 Apoel Nicosia

Also, in 1st round qualification this year they struggled to beat a Latvian team called FK Spartaks Jurmala who I know next to * all about, but they have a stadium capacity of 2,500 . Actually drew 1-1 with them at home and only narrowly defeated them away.

All in all, I think we're favourites to win.

 

Astana just scored in the 93 min to win 1-0 at home in the league.

 

Mokin, Anicic, Maevski, Despotovic (last season's top scorer) and Murtazaev are injured, and the first three players are important and played all four European matches recently. What is even more important is the situation around their most dangerous player Twumasi.

- What can you say about the actions of Twumasi in yesterday's meeting? Was it the impression that he played not as useful as he could?
- On the game, Patrick felt that he was in this meeting in many moments to protect himself. Now there is a lot of talk about his departure to the championship of Turkey, and, perhaps, so the player tried to avoid getting injured. He acted more, playing this game on himself, and not on the team. Of course, I can not say that the football player completely dropped out of the game team, but he can play on its potential in two or three times stronger than it acted yesterday.

google translate of an interview by former coach of Astana.

 

Only good news then.

 

Astana star man Patrick Twumasi wants to leave & sign for Bursaspor, Kabananga is their main goal threat but Twumasi is their Scott Sinclair.

From the user AgentScotland on twitter.

 

good good mate....kinda evens things up a bit then.......i think if it comes down to whose got the worse injury crisis i'm fairly confident we're still ahead!!
Will take anything to get us through this game!! Mahoosive!!

 

Key thing here to note is Astana really don't lose at home. However they leak goals home or away. I'd imagine 0-0, 1-1 or 2-1 to them over there. I'd say if we don't concede at home we are in control of the tie.

 

Could anyone tell me when tickets for Astana game will go on general sale cheers

 

Probably tomorrow or Friday ST holders had until 5pm today

 

Any clues of kick off time ( British Summer Time ) for the away leg ?

 

4.30 I seen

 

Thanks very much pal

 

That is what I am thinking too.We need a win at Parkhead, and not to let them score an away goal

Further proof this is going to be a difficult tie.It was the last time against them too.

 

Need to distract myself from the Patrick Roberts thread. What's your predicitons for Wednesday then?

Anyone have a bad feeling about the tie in general? Go on... make me worry!

 

2-0 us. They don't seem to travel well and i believe one of their main defenders is out. imo they don't have the same quality of midfield rosenborg do, but their defence/attack is much better.

 

They`ll park the bus and try and hit us on the counter; need an early goal to force them to change tactics. Personally think that scott Sinclair needs a big performance. Too much stop/start allowing teams to get men back. He did well defensively last time out but that's not what he`s here for.

For me; we need to win 3-0 at home as no sure how we`ll do over there.

 

Astana have confirmed that they will not sell their 2 star strikers til after the playoff!!!

 

AFTER a crucial goal from James Forrest against Rosenborg, the Bhoys have reached the UEFA Champions League play-offs where they’ll challenge FC Astana of Kazakhstan for a place in the all-important group stages of the competition.

Supporters will pack Paradise for the first leg at home next week (Wednesday, August 16) and, with a LIVE screening of the away leg in the Kerrydale Bar, fans can continue to cheer the Bhoys on from Celtic Park.

The Hoops travel to Kazakhstan for the second leg on Tuesday, August 22 and the Kerrydale Bar will open to supporters from 4pm ahead of kick-off at 4:30pm.

Food court facilities and a cash bar will be available and it promises to be a great, family-friendly occasion with Hoopy the Huddle Hound making an appearance for young fans.

There will also be fantastic photo opportunities with the European Cup pre-match, as excitement builds before kick-off.

Half-time snacks will be supplied and the bar will remain open until 7.30pm, so why not join us for some exciting midweek football as the Bhoys look to continue on their European adventure.

http://www.celticfc.net/news/13059

 

Never went to Kerrydale for a screening is it worth it/up to much? Think it sounds decent!