Georgios Samaras

ANDRES INIESTA fears Celtic’s Euro talisman Georgios Samaras will shatter Barcelona’s fragile defence.
The Greek hitman is in a rich vein of scoring form ahead of Tuesday’s Nou Camp Champions League crunch clash.
Samaras has netted in his last three European away ties — banging in goals against HJK Helsinki, Helsingborgs and Spartak Moscow.
Barca superstar Iniesta revealed Sami’s Russian exploits didn’t go unnoticed as manager Tito Vilanova battles with a defensive crisis.
Skipper Carles Puyol and French ace Eric Abidal are definitely out, while Gerard Pique is edging back after a four-week absence.
Midfield enforcer Sergio Busquets is banned for the upcoming double-header with Celtic after being sent off against Benfica in the last game.
Iniesta is worried Samaras’ strong running could cause Barca’s makeshift backline huge problems in the wide open spaces of the Nou Camp.
He told SunSport: “Celtic are a strong team. Their biggest asset is the collective strength of the players.
“But Samaras is the one player who can make the difference. He is very direct, fast and powerful.
“Celtic have many dangerous players. We know about Miku but Samaras stands out for me. He is the main threat and we will have to watch him closely.
“He scored the winner against Spartak Moscow in the last game and is playing with a lot of confidence.
“Teamwork has been the key to Celtic’s success so far in the Champions League — but Samaras is a special player.
“It won’t be easy against Celtic on Tuesday. It’s difficult because we don’t know everything about the team.
“It’s different from playing teams in La Liga as we are familiar with them and know their strengths.
“We don’t know every detail about Celtic and any mistake you make can cost you dearly.”
Pique could yet return in time for Tuesday’s Group G contest but Iniesta admits Celtic won’t face a full-strength Barca back four.
He said: “We have had bad luck and lots of setbacks in defence. We haven’t had any stability but we have to get on with it.
“All our injuries seem to have come in defence and losing Pique and Puyol at the same time has been unlucky.”
Iniesta has emerged as one of the best players in the world over the last few years and will be a huge danger to Celtic. The midfield genius already has three Champions League medals and five La Liga titles to his name.
He also scored the winner for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final — sandwiched in between two European Championship triumphs.
It’s not bad going for a 28-year-old but there is not a hint of arrogance as he looks ahead to the Hoops’ visit.
Iniesta is instead full of admiration for the way Neil Lennon’s side have approached their first Champions League campaign in four years.
Drawn against Barca, Benfica and Spartak Moscow — few people across Europe gave the Hoops much chance.
But after taking four points from two matches Celtic are in contention to prolong their Euro adventure.
Barca at the Nou Camp is a daunting task for any side and Lennon’s men must punch above their weight to get any kind of result.
But Iniesta believes Celtic must be taken seriously as they bid to defy the odds and reach the knockout phase.
He said: “They have put themselves in a strong position with the first two results and are currently our main rivals.
“Drawing against Benfica and then winning in Russia was a positive start, especially in such a tough group.
“We have a lot of respect for Celtic. They are a famous club with a lot of tradition and we know that it will be difficult for us.”
Iniesta — a driving force in the best Barca team of all-time alongside midfield sidekick Xavi — is no stranger to Celtic.
The two clubs have met six times since 2004 — with the Hoops winning one, drawing two and losing three.
Iniesta featured in three of those clashes and twice played in front of 60,000 fans at Parkhead.
And he revealed Barca are expecting a massive test of character when they pitch up in Glasgow in a fortnight.
He said: “Celtic are especially strong at home. They have a fantastic record in the Champions League.
“It will be a very difficult game for us. The crowd always get behind Celtic from start to finish and make it hard.
“It’s a different game from the Nou Camp and you have to be very focused when you play in Glasgow.
“However, we know if we win these games that puts us in a great position to qualify for the last 16.”
The last time Barca played in Glasgow, a certain Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-2 last-16 win.
The bad news for Celtic is that Iniesta believes the best player in the world has got even BETTER since then.
He said: “It is almost impossible for Leo to play a bad game. For me, he is the absolute best. He is even better than he seems to be at first sight.
“It is very difficult to make the difference like he does and make everything look so natural. It’s just great to see him play.
“He always does the unexpected. The best thing about him is that he always comes up with something special, something surprising.”
Barca No1 Victor Valdes also agrees with Iniesta — and warned his team-mates that Celtic could pose the awesome La Liga leaders some problems this week.
The Nou Camp goalie thought the SPL champs were going to be group whipping boys — until he saw THAT result in Moscow.
He said: “We only consider victory because failing at home just does not ever come into our thinking.
“The matches against Scottish clubs are always intense and full of emotion — but it is necessary for us to close the match out quickly. If we win then the main objective to win the group is closer.
“But if the people believed this group would be a stroll for us then they must change their point of view.
“Normally Celtic plays a defensive system and that would be difficult enough. But they beat Spartak Moscow in Russia — and they gave us enough problems at the Nou Camp in our first group match.
“So there will be no easy matches in the group. We need to control the ball, stop them from playing. We must own the ball from the first minute.
“At first I wouldn’t have given Celtic a chance of qualification. But their triumph in Moscow was a fantastic achievement.
“Yes, there is a big difference between us — but it shows that there can still be surprises in the Champions League.
“We have analysed videos of Celtic against Benfica and Spartak and they have improved their level and now control the ball with a better style.
“We need the three points to make sure there is no extra pressure on us.”


Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/4600797/Sami-sensible.html#ixzz29vVTi2cc

 

thats bound to sting if your a hun

 

definately! gives an amazing feeling when you think about it, best team in the world, worrying over a match again "an spl team"

 

Glad there giving more respect than Moscow did. Still gonna smash them!

 

It's not surprising to see Iniesta pick out Samaras.

Time and time again his name has come up as the player the opposition fear, it normally comes from managers. Samaras has to have a big game for us on Tuesday. If he plays at his best and we get him involved as much as possible, he can trouble anyone.

 

Iniesta :icon_mrgreen:

 

Never knew Iniesta had a drink and drug problem......

 

Iniesta sounds like hes * himself

Big Sammys gona get ye!!!

 

Good stuff.

Hopefully that great praise from Iniesta will give Samaras more confidence than he already has, and finally really starts to drive him on.

Still think Samaras may just be the man to shatter that frail Barcelona backline.

Starting to look again like the player who was in BLISTERING form early on in his Celtic career.

 

OOH AHH WHOS BARCA
OOH AH WHOS BARCA

Brilliant ya big * ye :icon_mrgreen:

 

Hope his ankle isn't too bad... it looked a sore one.

 

I hope the big man isnt out for long

 

mon the sammy

 

I was * gutted when he came off injured.

Shows how far he has come along when I am close to crying when he is not in the team

Hope that nasty injury on his ankle is not as bad as I initially fear.

 

Done the exact same thing he done tonight and was out for 6 weeks with better treatment and being fitter I would expect him to be out for at least a month

 

ooh ahh samaras

the big man will be back when we need him bring on these champions league * the celtic dont take * from anycunt

 

I done the exact same thing he done tonight and am still * after 10 year :smiley-laughing002::smiley-laughing002::smiley-laughing002:

 

Missed him in the 2nd half.

 

Missed him big time when he went off . Hope to * his injury is not that bad we need that big sexy Greek * .