Messi out for the new firm clash. What's our current injury situation like, and who's your suggested Celtic line up?
Messi: "I heard about the atmosphere at Celtic Park. But you have to experience it to really appreciate how good their fans are." Dani Alves: "The atmosphere at Celtic Park is simply spectacular To play in that stadium is something out of the ordinary - it's very special"
I think if Lenny does the following, then it's a certainty we will pump 'em 3 or 4 'nil. - Pack the midfield and defence. - Stick BIG BAD BOBO BALDE MK II up front and bombard them with the long ball. - Hope for the best. Maybe pray too.
"Celtic, like Barcelona, are more than a football club. Our clubs are a symbol of a culture and community that has not always been made welcome in their respective countries." Xavi (Barcelona midfielder) "The atmosphere generated by the fans in Celtic’s stadium for our visit was the most impressive I’ve ever witnessed. The grounds of Liverpool and Manchester United are good and the hostile feeling of playing against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu is also excellent, but the atmosphere against Celtic was the best." Xavi (Barcelona) (Sep 2004) "Up the 'Ra" Xavi (Barcelona)
I have a 5 point predicition plan: Mulgrew will play in midfield. Barca will score early. At one point, we'll get a goal back and put the ****s up them. They'll finish us off with 15 minutes left (3-1). At some point, my farter will prolapse Oh, and, for some reason, Barca are wearing all black.
6-0 van Dijk hat-trick, 2 for Sammi and an own goal by Valdes when he fumbles a simple ball into his own net.
I read a quote this morning from an ex-Barca player (I can't remember who) saying that Forster would be Valdes ideal replacement As long as they'd be willing to shell out the big bucks
-------------------------Forster Sylla----------Ambrose----------Van Dijk------Emilio -------------------Brown--------Mulgrew Matthews----------------Jarosik------------------Samaras ----------------------------Stokes Lennon would have wanted a 3rd centre mid but injuries will force his hand. I fear with the personnel available we'll be over exposed. Wouldn't be overly surprised if Lennon broke up the Ambrose-Van Dijk partnership to move Efe into midfield. --------------------------Forster Matthews-------Lustig-------Van Dijk----------Emilio -------------Brown----Ambrose---Mulgrew Sylla----------------------------------------------Samaras -------------------------Donnelly Either way I think we'll get pumped
Since Barca seem to have adjusted towards a more direct style of play (and having had under 50% possession at the weekend!?) what price we pass the ball about, a bit like we did AC Milan?
What do we want out of the Ajax-Milan game, then? If we've any hope of finishing second, at least one of those games needs to be a draw and we need at least 4 points off Ajax if we've to finish third. Most likely result tomorrow is us getting beat meaning a draw in the other game would put us bottom before the double-header with Ajax. I still want draws out of those games - Milan will be better when they come to Parkhead but we can still beat them - we've beaten better Milan teams before and drew 0-0 with a cracking Milan team in the last 16. So, I want us to get at least a point and Ajax-Milan to finish a draw, meaning we'd be above Ajax on GD before playing them and with every chance of being ahead of Milan if Barca roast them over their two games.
We need to try and keep the ball a little better this time around. It will be backs to the wall for the most part but they are still suspect at the back and Samaras should rip them to pieces.
Don't think we should worry about the other game at this stage, 2nd may turn out to be a pipe dream and we'll be wishing we never wanted the draw later on.
That's the double edge to the sword, innit? The worst result would definitely be Ajax winning (unless Milan fall apart in later weeks).
