MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 2 AC MILAN 1

MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 2 AC MILAN 1

PRE_MATCH COMMENT

I can’t remember a decision by a manager re. team selection, which shocked and surprised all supporters. Jiri Jarosik who hadn’t been seen in the flesh for months was to take Naka’s place. GS must be a brave man because he will be slaughtered if the result goes the wrong way!

BORUC ….…. 7 Didn’t touch the ball until the 18th minute and had very little to do apart from turning over the bar a wicked free kick from Pirlo. At first it looked as though the ‘Hibs’ Boruc was back but looking at it more closely it is clear that the free kick took a deflection and hit the wet ground. A great save.

DOUMBE….….7 I think it was his first ever appearance at C.L. level and he took to it like a duck to water! He was comfortable on the ball and apart from the occasional tendency to over elaborate he was rock solid. Hope the injury that led to him being stretchered off is not too serious.

CALDWELL. 7 He is not a player you notice too much in a game like this but he was very solid , apart from his customary couple of poor passes and being skinned in the last few minutes, and when he moved to the full back position he was always willing to give his all for the cause. His most important contribution was to keep his shot, which led to the goal, low and on target.

McMANUS……..8 He’s only 24 and yet once again he faced some of the best forwards in the world and came out on top. Pulled off another great ‘Scotland” goal with the ball hitting him on the knee, the arm, the shin, wherever, to send Celtic into a short lived lead.

NAYLOR….….. 7 Maybe a bit high when you consider his awful passing and his naivety in putting his arms around an Italian in the box but every Celtic fan must have been so pleased to see him pick this game to return to something close to his old form.

HARTLEY…… 8 MOM A player who most of us had been so disappointed with his form has now found the position which allows him to play to the best of his abilities. He was primarily responsible for nullifying the Milan midfield.

JAROSIK…. ….7 What a night to make your comeback! He played a very sensible game making the short pass and linking up well. Was also prepared to put in the tackles when required. Whether there is a future for him at C.P. I don’t know as he is still a bit of an enigma.

DONATI ……… 6 Played a little deeper than normal and was involved in the midfield battle but I was always worried that his pre-match spouting about “showing Milan that they should never have let him go” turned out to be a bit of hot air. I doubt if there was anyone in the Milan camp wringing their hands after watching him play. Ther is no doubting his talent but he is too prone to the careless pass and his ‘fresh air’ clearance led to the penalty being awarded.

BROWN …….. 8 Was played in a more forward position and he covered every blade of grass of a sodden Celtic Park and yet he still had the composure to lay off Naka’s pass too Caldwell. The closest I’ve seen to the Bobby Collins (the wee barra) in terms of commitment and body strength.

McGEADY ….. 5 Another big stage in which he failed to sparkle. Maybe it was the conditions, maybe it was the strength of opposition but whatever it is he has to find better form for these games.

McDONALD ….. 7 Ploughed the lonely furrow up front and gave the Milan defence all sorts of problems. He tired badly in the second half and I was expecting Killen to replace him but he showed what a wee gem he is by popping up and snatching the last minute winner.




SUBS ………….
KENNEDY……. 6 Came on to replace the injured Doumbe and settled in very well making a couple of essential and decisive tackles.

KILLEN………..3 Replaced Jarosik and might have touched the ball!
.
NAKA …………. 6 Didn’t look 100% as he ran on to replace McGeady but just one touch of magic as he bamboozled the Milan defence to set up the goal was enough to make the difference.




REF(Merk) ………….4 Johan Mjallby gave an interview in which he stated “the Milan are the best in the world for intimidating refs and at simulation” and his words were to prove so prophetic. If Merk booked Brown for persistent fouling then surely he should have added a couple of Italians to his book?
How soft was the penalty?
Was also amazed that he allowed Dida to play in a strip that was almost identical to the outfield players.

THE GAME ……6 Not a classic by any means in terms of quality (maybe affected by the rain) but once again a classic in terms of atmosphere, last minute drama, etc.


COMMENTS ….. 1 G.S. got his tactics and substitutions spot on..

2. When the winning goal went in I had 10 secs of ecstatic celebrations but then I saw the clown run on and the other clown/cheat/actor fall as if shot and suddenly a flashback of the Rapid Vienna fiasco brought me to a state of despair!
3. Celtic will rightly be punished and I feel that a fine of 50k euros will suffice but how UEFA handle the Dida play acting. The good news is that the Milan famous pink sports daily has had a poll and over 85% of Milan supporters believe that Dida should be punished.
4. Celtic are back on course for reaching the last 16. I said after the Shaktar game that we will win away at Benfica and I now hope that Milan and Shaktar draw.
5. Rec’d an email from Erico (a big Celtic supporter living in Brazil) and thought you might be interested in his comments:

“WHAT A GAME! WHAT A RESULT! A HALF OF NAKA MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!

Let's start from the beginning. When I heard that Hasselink was injured I started to be worried because in spite of the fact I didn't think he is a good striker I prefer him than Killen to play in the Champions League and he was also accustomed to play alongside Mcdonald. When I heard our starting eleven team I was much more worried. As we already haven't attack to Champions league level, with only Mcdonald up front and without Naka it seemed that we would depend of luck to get a goal.

Unfortunately, my predictions was right. We were playing very well in defence but as I'm used to watch Celtic in Champions League, with no creativity or invention in midfield and no power fire up front. I thought Mcdonald a bit lost, trying to do his best as he always do but missing a player to play with him up front. Milan, as they always play, was just playing without to much interest, waiting for a mistake and like us without creativity and receiving an excellent marking from Celtic. So, we got luck and scored. So, Milan decided to play and scored too and than, ... only near to the end of the game, Gordon Strachan decided that we can fight to win the game and put Naka and Killen. Who can win the big matches? The big players. Everything started with Naka and finished with McDonald which is living a wonderful moment.

I would like to highlight the greats Nakamura and Brown (they are really top level and must be attracting interest of many big clubs), the very good player Mcdonald, and our excellent defence. In other hand, Mgeady seems to feel the pressure of the big games. I think he simply didn't play.

The Brazilian commentators were always heightening the wonderful support from the stands. I COULD FELL THE ATMOSPHERE, THE EMOTION.

What do you think can happen to Celtic because of that stupid guy who came into the pitch? Of course Dida was putting on an injury and maybe he can be punished too. I hope we don't get a severe punishment which can coast us don't playing at Celtic Park or to play without the supporters.

Now, I must go. I'm going out to celebrate in my Celtic top.

Hail, Hail,

Erico."