MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 2 BARCA 3

PRE-MATCH COMMENT. Walking up to Celtic Park I thought how lucky I am. Here I was about to give the team I support my full backing and yet I was also going to have the opportunity of watching a world class team strut their stuff. It is the 7th time Barca have played Celtic and the games have never disappointed.

BORUC ….…….8 MON Had no chance with any of the goals and prevented a handful of others.

CADDIS... ….. 6 What an experience for this young player! Asked to mark Ronaldhino and, although his inexperience was evident, he did not let the team down.

CALDWELL….. 6 Until his awful mistake that led to the second goal I thought he was having a very good game. He and McManus had stood firm against waves upon waves of attack. However, he has now added to his previous C.L. and SPL blunders and GS will have to try another combination.

McMANUS…. ….8 Apart from being unlucky with his attempted clearance that led to the 3rd goal, he was a rock in the centre of defence.

NAYLOR….….….5 He produced his usual first 45 mins performance before settling down in the second half but even then he gave Messi too much room. His Jeckyl and Hyde bit in the first half sums up his type of game. First he attempts a suicide pass in his own penalty box that nearly leads to a goal, then he produces a wonderful pass to allow JVOH to score and then he loses Messi by lack of anticipation to concede a goal. I really feel that Celtic must find an alternative left back.

McGEADY …. …..7 Helped create the two goals but never received enough good ball due to the brilliance of Barca’s play.

HARTLEY..…….. 5 He tried hard but he was in a midfield that was just swamped and he was left floundering.

ROBSON …….. . 6 He too was out of his depth in a midfield that never came to grips with the opposition. He made one run into the box and scored with a very good goal.

NAKA…….. …… 3 I’ve come to expect him being forced out of away games but this was the first time Naka failed to produce anything near his what he is capable of at home. Should have been subbed.

McDONALD ….. 7 He didn’t score but he sure gave everything he had for the cause.

JVOH ………… .. 7 It is amazing how many balls in the air he won, how much effort he put in and he took his goal so well. He’s the only player to score against Barca with a header this season.

SUBS ………….1. SAMARAS …… 6 Replaced JVOH and caused some problems but he came on at a time that Barca had assumed almost total command.
2. WILSON……….5 I think that everyone was surprised to see him make his comeback in a game of this stature but after he found his feet he came onto a game. Maybe he will be given a chance at left back.

3. DONATI……..4 Unfortunately for Donati his performance highlighted why he did not get a starting slot.

REF…………. 5 Was immediately worried when I saw this orange clad, suntanned Swede make an appearance. He was no homer!

THE GAME ……8 The game was a pleasure to be at for several aspects. Celtic showed that if you attack you can score goals. Barca showed that if you spend big money you can buy the best and as a result there was some wonderful football produced. The Barca player who impressed me the most was the languid midfielder Toure.

GOALS ………. 1st McGeady got the better of Puyol, fed McDonald who fought until he gave the ball back to McGeady who fed Naylor who fired in a great cross which was met majestically by JVOH.

2nd McGeady comes inside and chips a great ball to the attacking Robson, who then produces a great looping header.

Barca’s goals: 1st A very good goal by Messi but you could tell by Naylor’s reaction that he felt he should have done better.
2nd A superb curling shot by Henri after an awful mistake by Caldwell.
3rd An unlucky ricochet allowed Messi to sell Caldwell a dummy and beat Boruc.



COMMENTS ….. 1. The team that deserved to win, won but Celtic should not be disappointed with their performance they were just out passed for most of the game.

2. GS showed a lot of courage in sending out the team he did and the experience will prove to be invaluable for some of the new players.

3. GS should have subbed Naka early in the second half.