2015-16 UEFA Champions League Qualifiers

Nice one

Gordon (GK) - very good keeper, had a nightmare against Inter last season but we wouldn't have got that far if it wasn't for him. There's not many in Britain who I would swap for him
Lustig (RB) - you know him obviously, also one of our best players, injury-prone though
Van Dijk (CB) - (if he's still here) only a matter of time before we sell him for big money, has all the attributes to be a top quality CB
Boyata (CB) - only just arrived but looks solid, bar the odd lapses in concentration or wayward passing, strong player who is seemingly good at tackling and heading
Izaguirre (LB) some question marks over him at this level but can be good going forward. Was very good the other night against Qarabag but wasn't particularly good in Europe last season

Brown (CM) - excellent captain, never stops running or hassling players, a nightmare to play against, drives the team on and we're a much weaker side if he isn't playing
Bitton (CM) - classy player, has the composure of a top level player, always keeps it simple or chooses the right option, likes a shot from long range as well
Johansen (AM) - also never stops running and is creative as well
Armstrong (LM) - a CM so not a natural winger but can be effective there. Has pace and is good on the ball
Mackay-Steven (RM) - quick and skillful winger, like Armstrong he can be a bit inconsistent but very dangerous on his day

Either -
Griffiths (ST) - has pace to burn and is usually a good finisher. Not the best at holding the ball up or linking play though
Ciftci (ST) - only just arrived and still finding his feet. Could do with some more confidence which a few goals will probably bring. Strong, physical player but needs to do a bit more to stay in the side

I can't say I've ever seen you play so I don't know what I expect to happen. Our season has only just started so you have an advantage there, but we can be excellent at home and we have a very good manager who will prepare us properly for the games.

 

Welcome pal. Fans like yourself are always welcome on this forum. Thanks for the good info on the team and the respect you're showing to all of us.

May the best team win!

 

Helsingborg had a striker called djurdic, who couldn't finish his dinner

 

Home game live on BT sport.

 

Highlights of there game vs Salzburg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6timgKaTli4 the 3rd goal is an absolute gift

 

I think it's important to note that only 4 of the starting 11 versus Helsingborg could start against Malmo this time around and with a new manager in Deila and a new philosophy it's a very different and more assured side in my opinion to the side that played Helsingborg in Sweden where we were missing a few key players. Even now I am more confident going into European ties than I was a year or two ago certainly after our display in Azerbaijan which was definitely confidence boosting suggesting we can keep clean sheets in Europe

 

Anyone remember this from the end of last season lol

"NORWEGIAN managerial legend Age Hareide has delivered a surprise snub to league-winning countryman Ronny Deila by insisting his current Malmo side are better than Celtic"

Its Destiny

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13212399.Hareide_snub_to_countryman_Deila/

 

Cheers for the info, but regarding the Helsingborg game, where I agree Celtic were lucky in the away leg, Celtic lined up as follows:

Forster(Gone)
Matthews(Gone) Rogne(Gone) Mulgrew(utility player) Izaguirre(Still starter)

Brown(plays CM now) Kayal(Gone) Ledley(Gone) Commons(Still here)

Samaras(Gone) Hooper(Gone)

Subs:
Wilson(Gone)
Forrest(Still here)
Watt(Gone)

​

Manager: Lennon(Gone)

So as you can see, Malmo will be facing a VERY different team to the one that faced Helsingborg. A better team? Maybe not, but certrainly different.
​

 

Thanks! :bbpd: Brilliant description of your team, I knew of Griffits, Brown, Johansen, Mackay-Steven, Van Dijk and Gordon but the rest is completely new to me and probably most Swedish Malmö-supporters.

The problem for Malmö is that your defence is a lot stronger than Red Bull or any other qualification-team we have faced the last couple of years... Malmö need a good portion of luck to proceed.

 

Hey there! :bbpd:
Yes of course it's almost a comletely new team, I'm just referring to the only comparable situation/meeting/team that I can, since Malmö and Helsingborg plays in the same League.

Didn't you play with much more Power and direct play/long balls back then? Using Samaras strength and Hoopers power/speed, compared to more technical play nowadays? Or am I wrong?

 

Bitton is a class act, I think of any of the players you don't know will surprise you, it'll be him.

 

Thanks!

It certainly is...a shame Rosenberg is out for the first game. Would love to see him against your defence on away ground.

 

Will keep my Eyes peeled on that guy then...

 

No, you're not wrong. Samaras was a weapon in european games, Ledley, Kayal and Brown in the same midfield also brought more industry than creativity.

These days we do play a more passing game, but things are still to click in an attacking sense. I have doubts that our wide players are good enough for this level, but we'll see.

 

But now hold on... that same year in the Champions League, didn't you beat Barcelona in the Group stages?!?! If anything, that is quality stamped all over... your team couldn't have been that bad that year, could it? :icon_mrgreen::smiley-laughing002:

 

We did have a strong side however we also had the best shot to goal ratio in Europe of any side in the competition that season that may explain the fact we managed wins in the group stages however we always seemed negative and it * worried me Benfica should have had at least a goal at Celtic park and Barcelona hit the bar and the post lol and * knows how many times Forster bailed us out. Whereas under Deila we always seem to set up to play the opposition which against Inter Milan was a breath of fresh air and had it not been for three defensive mistakes Celtic would have thumped them at parkhead and had a good few chances in the San Siro despite playing with 10 men. The only game Celtic have set up particularly negative I feel is the game in Azerbaijan however I suspect that was to combat the terrible condition of the pitch which both sides could barely pass on never mind run with the ball.

 

Yes, we (Malmö) were very lucky in the return game, especially with that goal... but to be fair we had some bad luck in the first game, so it evened out, sort of.

 

Take it you are a Malmo fan?

 

Doesn't the "we(Malmo)" give it away:smiley-laughing002:

 

In your opinion, who is your best player.