Forster - likely to face Juve Forrest - likely to be fit to face Juve Samaras - 50/50 to face Juve Ambrose - unlikely as he'll be in the ACoN final The following are all Juve players struggling with recent knocks - not counting the likes of Chiellini who's definitely out (I think) Vucinic Asamoah Bonucci Marchisio Looks like Mulgrew will be playing CB which is perfectly cool but in Europe he has done a good job playing alongside Wanyama. Out of the Juve players struggling, Vucinic might not be that bad a loss as his replacements include Giovinco, Anelka, Quagliarella, (I'm not sure how the loan status of the next two sits) Bendtner and Matri I'm hoping Asamoah doesn't make it just because I think him out on the left against Matthews or Lustig (neither of which are the most defensive full-backs) could really hurt us.
If Samaras is only 50/50, he should be discounted straight away! I'd like Ambrose to play but I doubt playing on Sunday, flying back and then playing would be any good...
Especially if the final goes to extra time or, indeed, penalties. I reckon Ambrose will play the second leg but definitely not the first.
Hope Samaras makes it. In the pub last night someone was saying that they should be hitting penalties in every training session but I said that would have bad effect on their mind-set and they would end up playing for penalties instead of winning the game. It became quite heated so who right me or the fanny fae the pub?
I wouldn't worry the slightest about who plays or who doesn't play for Juventus. man to man they are superior to us, just as Barca were. Celtic will get through if our players desire and tactics can minimise their superior football ability. Of course it won't be easy, but these things happen every week in football and there is no reason, if we get it right it won't happen again. The one player who is very important to us is big Sammi, he is a bit unique and presents problems that European teams don't like and cannot handle, he is the one Celtic player that I would really try to get on the pitch if at all possible.
You were right There will be no shoot-out in the first leg. They should practice them before the second leg, certainly, but doing it now every day is not the best way to spend time on the training pitch IMO
So, if Pirlo, Giovinco, Buffon, Vidal and Quaglierella all break their legs at the weekend, you won't be remotely interested? Right y'are
It is pointless practicing penalties, as you cannot create the tension and sense of occasion on the training pitch. I would imagine every professional footballer would be Capable of scoring a penalty at training. Those best at training could be the least capable in the high tension of a penalty shoot out drama.
That's bollocks, practice will always improve your ability and technique. The mental ability for handling pressure is a different issue.
I don't think all these players are likely to be missing , but if they were I think Juventus would probably still field a more accomplice group of individual players than Celtic, we Would still depend on our work rate, tactics etc to overcome them. In any transfer window they would and usually have paid more for one player than we paid for whole squad. We can still win but we don't have the better players. But I am sure you know more than me.m
Juventus play Fiorentina at 5 o'clock Saturday , their league lead has been cut to 3 points, they will have to play their full team . A couple of injuries wouldn't harm our chances .
I think it's going to be close... Lennon should send a second string up North at the weekend, let the big names rest up .
You should be practising penalties as part of training anyway. As for playing for penalties not a hope in hell. It aint the Celtic way. Any predictions? I'm going for 0-0 in the first leg. I hope samaras is playing as he's been our best player in Europe this year.
I was listening to the rhebel podcast in the motor on the way home. Two Aussies chatting to a yank. The Yank is going to his first ever game at CP. I felt myself hoping for a result more for him than me. Mind you, losing to a stupid last minute goal is just as much a part of the experience as a 6-0 win. I have no idea how the game is going to go. I never make predictions but I just have a sneaky feeling for 6-0 to celtic. In Italia 90 Niall Quinn ran a penalty competiion every day for cash. Afterwards folk tried to suggest this had something to do with beating Romania. Maybe it did. It didn't hurt anyway.
It is the mental ability ,and the physical ability to take a penalty under pressure is the most important part. Based on our taking of penalties especially this season and last I think we would be. Better to get the result over the two legs. Practising penalties now if team hasn't been doing it on a regular basis might be counter productive, because if it is an actual penalty taking issue, practising now might frighten them to death, realising how bad they actually are.
I d play ambrose even if he has been on the overnight bus from africa and got off at buchanan street the morning of the game two bottles of buckfast worse for wear. Sammi is also a must, even if his hair isnt at its best since switching from pantene to timotei. Failing that Id go for uber-defence, hoping for a 0-0, then back to their midden to scud them - six to zip .
Apparently, Izzy is also 50/50 Lennon seemed to suggest in an interview last night that Ambrose could start. Like I said earlier, I reckon whether the ACoN final goes to extra time or not could play a massive part in it. Remember, he hasn't played every game - he was sent off in about 6 mins in the first game and was suspended for the second game.
I would be more worried about the extra, after extra time, a young man like Ambrose may not have the stamina for what the female supporters have in mind. Reflecting on these points may also affect his concentration on Tuesday night. Imagine if the Celtic players were promised similar rewards. Neil Lennon couldn't pick either wee James or big Tony, they may let the club down Having to be home for eleven.
