2014-12-11: Dinamo Zagreb 4-3 Celtic, UEFA Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2014 – 2015 | 2014-15 Pictures

Trivia

• Europa League final group game.
• Celtic finish second on 8pts.
• Celtic already qualified and remain second regardless of results.
• We've surrendered a lead in 5 of our 6 away European games this season
• Fisher and Liam Henderson play for the first team for first time in long while.
• Kris Commons tells BBCSport he wants to stay at Celtic and hopes a deal can be done soon.
• Reports that Berget to go in January. Most had already forgotten about him.
• Reports of Stokes to Cardiff City for 1.5m in January. Mixed response to this.
• Stories trying to blacken Celtic supporters' name after graffiti dubbed in Hearts toilets which is offensive about the Rangers 1971 tragedy. Note, this is one idiot, all condemn it and so why it is a story in the papers and had the RST idiots shouting in mock outrage in their umpteenth statements, we'll never know.

Review

(Bobby Peru of KDS)
Strange game. Difficult to get annoyed/excited about it with nothing at stake.

Matthews was terrible as he has been for some time.
Commons scored a goal and then slowed play down for the rest of the game like he has for some time.
Johansen was less effective in a deeper role as he has been for some time.
McGregor was pish as he has been for some time.

Wakaso doesn't look like he's got it.

Of the others, Bitton is too passive to properly play that role but he'll do domestically, Scepovic took his goal well and is definitely an upgrade on the Bangura/Pukki/Balde trinity of pish. Fisher and Henderson looked bright when they came on too.

Not a game to get too worked up about.

Told us very little that was new.

Add Lustig, Brown, Forrest & Guiddetti to that with Johansen pushed further forward and we would be a fair bit better. Hopefully a couple of first team players in January as well.

(Jimmy Mac of KDS)
I'm a glass half full type of guy.

Delia obviously decided to experiment with his team and it didn't work but he will have learnt a lot in what was a meaningless game.

1) Johansen in a deeper role is not as effective but that may be down to the fact that the personnel playing ahead of him were gash.
2) MacGregor has a long way to go if he wants to be a regular. Going forward poor and tracking back poor.
3) Wakaso on this performance doesn't look like he is capable, thankfully he is on loan. To be fair he hasn't played much…
4) Commons, slow, ponderous, wades through treacle…. you get the picture. He looks out of place in this side and should not be a starter.
5) Scepovic – give him service and a run of games and he will score goals. Strikers need games and I think he could come good.
6) Matthews – Slack play all round.
7) Squad as stands, is not good enough.
8) Play our strongest 11 and we are on the right track, play a weakened side and players out of position and we are poor.
9) Fisher and Henderson reminding us that they are worthy of more game time.

I Could go on but the point is that we tinkered around with the team and lost the game due to this. We saw it earlier in the year when Delia was trying to get to his best 11. I am confident we are improving and Delia is the right man for us just now.

Teams

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Articles

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Stats

Dinamo Zagreb Celtic
Possession
49% 51%
90mins
Shots
20 16
On target
10 6
Corners
4 6
Fouls
10 13

Articles

Dinamo Zagreb 4-3 Celtic: Deila's men lose out in seven-goal thriller
STV
11 December 2014 20:07 GMT

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/303184-dinamo-zagreb-4-3-celtic-deilas-men-edged-out-in-seven-goal-thriller/

Celtic keeper Craig Gordon stands dejected as Dinamo Zagreb's Marko Pjaca celebrates completing his hat-trick with his side's fourth goal of the night. Celtic keeper Craig Gordon stands dejected as Dinamo Zagreb's Marko Pjaca celebrates completing his hat-trick with his side's fourth goal of the night.SNS Group

Already-qualified Celtic concluded their Europa League Group D campaign with a 4-3 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in a free-scoring encounter at the Stadion Maksimir.

A far from full-strength Hoops side fell behind to Marko Pjaca's strike after 14 minutes before goals from Kris Commons and Stefan Scepovic had the visitors ahead.

However, Pjaca levelled with a deflected shot and he claimed his hat-trick five minutes after the break after the lead had been regained through Marcelo Brozovic, as Celtic rocked.

Dinamo defender Josip Pivaric put through his own goal with nine minutes remaining and Scepovic almost grabbed a late equaliser with a header.

However, when the final whistle sounded, Ronny Deila's side were left with eight points from six games.

The draw for the last-32 is next week and the Celtic boss admitted his side would need to improve if they were to go further in the tournament, a prediction confirmed against Dinamo.

However, the Scottish champions should be back at full strength by the next round in February, notwithstanding any players who come in or leave during the transfer window.

The threat of a suspension meant skipper Scott Brown was left in Glasgow along with James Forrest, who requires an increase in his fitness levels.

Ineligible striker John Guidetti also dropped out while midfielder Charlie Mulgrew and Jason Denayer were out injured and Mikael Lustig continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Consequently Scepovic and winger Mubarak Wakaso were given rare starts with wide-man Callum McGregor and Commons drafted in.

Dinamo's dismal European form – they could not finish above third – resulted in a sparse home crowd which gave an eerie feel to an austere stadium.

There was a flare displayed among the 1,000 or so Hoops fans as the game got under way, which may have UEFA ramifications, but they made themselves heard in the early stages of what turned out to be an open if error-riddled first-half.

In the 10th minute, after Dinamo goalkeeper Eduardo had made a decent save from Commons, Dinamo striker El Aarbi Hilal Soudani had the ball in the Celtic net – but the flag was up for offside.

The home side took the lead when a miscued shot from Arijan Ademi landed at Pjaca, who turned inside right-back Adam Matthews before curling the ball low past Parkhead keeper Craig Gordon and into the far corner.

The visitors levelled after midfielder Nir Bitton was fouled by Dinamo skipper Domagoj Antolic 25 yards from goal.

Hoops captain Virgil Van Dijk fired in the free-kick and when the ball came off the defensive wall and looped high into the air Commons was surprisingly left all alone to head it into the net.

There was more joy for Celtic on the half-hour mark when Commons won and took another free-kick from a dangerous position.

His drive crashed off the bar and Bitton headed on to Scepovic who hooked it into the net from close range, the Serb then booked by referee Gediminas Mazeika for his celebration.

Six minutes from the break it was Celtic's turn to be punished for slack defending. Adam Matthews lost possession in his own box when he could have cleared and Pjaca's shot was deflected off Bitton past Gordon, who moments later denied the same player after he again found space in the porous Parkhead penalty area.

Gordon started the second half by making another fine save, this time from Soudani's volley – but in the 48th minute he was beaten by a fine curling shot by Marcelo Brozovic from the edge of the box, after he had taken a pass from Antolic.

When Pjaca drove past Gordon from 20 yards two minutes later it looked ominous for the Hoops, who soon replaced the hapless Matthews with Darnell Fisher.

Celtic steadied themselves and were handed a late lifeline when Pivaric turned an Emilio Izaguirre cross into his net under pressure from Scepovic – who almost levelled with a header minutes from time.

Copyright of Press Association 2014.

BBC
By Andrew Southwick BBC Scotland

Marko Pjaca scores hat-trick as Celtic lose final Europa League Group D game.
Kris Commons and Stefan Scepovic both on score-sheet in first half.
Josip Pivaric's deflects Emilio Izaguirre's cut-back into net to give late hope.
Despite defeat Celtic qualify for last 32 in second place.

Poor defending cost Celtic away to Dinamo Zagreb as a Marko Pjaca hat-trick ensured they finished Europa League Group D with a defeat.

Kris Commons and Stefan Scepovic scored in-between two first-half Pjaca strikes, who netted again following Marcelo Brozovic's curling shot.

Josip Pivaric's late own goal gave Celtic hope of an equaliser.

But they fell short of a fourth but took away the consolation of having already qualified for the last 32.

With a place in the knock-out stages already secured, Ronny Deila picked a makeshift team with captain Scott Brown and Scotland team-mate James Forrest both rested.

However, the defending will concern the Norwegian manager with Celtic continuing to ship goals in Europe.

With John Guidetti still cup-tied, Deila rearranged his front men with Wakaso, Commons and Scepovic all given rare starts in an eerily near-empty Stadion Maksimir.

The latter two linked up for an early Celtic chance that goalkeeper Eduardo had to parry clear, but Zagreb fired an early warning when Hillar Soudani slipped the ball into the near post from an offside position.

It only delayed the opening goal. Pjaca nipped into a similar position and collected Arijan Ademi's through ball, turned Adam Matthews inside out and picked his spot past Craig Gordon.
Dinamo Zagreb's Marko Pjaca took advantage of poor defending in both halves against Celtic.

Dinamo Zagreb's Marko Pjaca took advantage of poor defending in both halves against Celtic.

Celtic were not trailing for long, although the equaliser had a large touch of fortune about it.

Van Dijk's free-kick rattled off the back of Nir Bitton, deceiving the Zagreb defence and allowing Commons to head into the net.

Celtic were beginning to warm to the task and within six minutes were ahead.

Commons curled in another free-kick that this time cannoned off the bar. Bitton headed the rebound into the path of Scepovic who had his back to goal but turned and directed the ball in from close range.

However, just when it looked like Celtic were growing in confidence, they kicked themselves in the foot.

Matthews swiped fresh air allowing Pjaca to take the ball past him and finish via a deflection off Bitton.

Brozovic could have made it three moments from Pjaca's lay-off, but Gordon was equal to his shot.

The Celtic goalkeeper was busy again after the break, pulling off a double save to deny Soudani then Ademi, but he could do little about Zagreb's third.

Domagoj Antolic cut the ball back for Brozovic, whose curling shot inside the near post was out of the top drawer.

Before Celtic could settle, Zagreb had grabbed a fourth.

Pjaca was given too much space outside the box and he thumped a long-range shot well beyond the despairing dive of Gordon.

If Celtic were shipping goals for fun, so were Zagreb and Emilio Izaguirre gave the Scottish champions hope when his cut back was diverted into the net by Pivaric.

Celtic sensed an equaliser and went on the front foot.

Henderson had Eduardo scrambling back to tip his shot over the bar before Van Dijk headed across goal, but they could not find a fourth goal.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Dinamo Zagreb 4, Celtic 3.
90:00 +3:37 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Dinamo Zagreb 4, Celtic 3.
90:00 +2:30

Corner, Dinamo Zagreb. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
90:00 +1:12

Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90:00 +1:12

Foul by Liam Henderson (Celtic).
89:57

Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
89:57

Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87:19

Attempt missed. Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
86:45

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
86:37

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the right. Assisted by Nir Bitton.
86:01

Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) hits the right post with a header from the left side of the six yard box. Assisted by Anthony Stokes with a cross following a corner.
85:44

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Eduardo.
85:37

Attempt saved. Liam Henderson (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Virgil van Dijk.
84:48

Foul by Josip Pivaric (Dinamo Zagreb).
84:48

Liam Henderson (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
84:23

Attempt missed. Duje Cop (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner from a direct free kick.
83:33

Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
83:33

Foul by Darnell Fisher (Celtic).
83:23

Attempt missed. Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Junior Fernandes.
82:58

Attempt saved. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kris Commons.
81:56

Hand ball by Kris Commons (Celtic).
81:06 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dinamo Zagreb. Junior Fernandes replaces Soudani.
80:22 Goal scored

Goal! Own Goal by Josip Pivaric, Dinamo Zagreb. Dinamo Zagreb 4, Celtic 3.
76:36

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Leonardo Sigali.
76:34

Attempt blocked. Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Efe Ambrose.
76:07 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Anthony Stokes replaces Mubarak Wakaso.
73:02

Offside, Dinamo Zagreb. Jozo Simunovic tries a through ball, but Duje Cop is caught offside.
72:35

Offside, Celtic. Mubarak Wakaso tries a through ball, but Stefan Scepovic is caught offside.
70:18

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Josip Pivaric.
69:02

Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
69:02

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
68:25

Foul by Jozo Simunovic (Dinamo Zagreb).
68:25

Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
67:43

Josip Pivaric (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
67:43

Foul by Darnell Fisher (Celtic).
66:50

Attempt blocked. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nir Bitton.
64:54

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
64:44 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dinamo Zagreb. Duje Cop replaces Ángelo Henríquez.
64:10

Delay in match Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb) because of an injury.
62:39 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Liam Henderson replaces Callum McGregor.
58:36

Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kris Commons.
58:17

Attempt saved. Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Arijan Ademi with a through ball.
57:26

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Nir Bitton following a set piece situation.
57:25

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Marcelo Brozovic.
56:43

Foul by Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb).
56:43

Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
55:47 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Darnell Fisher replaces Adam Matthews.
52:06

Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick on the right wing.
52:06

Foul by Mubarak Wakaso (Celtic).
51:24

Domagoj Antolic (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
51:24

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
49:47 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Dinamo Zagreb 4, Celtic 2. Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Marcelo Brozovic.
48:57

Attempt saved. Ángelo Henríquez (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Marko Pjaca.
47:47 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Dinamo Zagreb 3, Celtic 2. Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Domagoj Antolic.
46:59

Corner, Dinamo Zagreb. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
46:53

Attempt saved. Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Marko Pjaca.
46:24

Attempt saved. Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ivo Pinto.
45:00

Second Half begins Dinamo Zagreb 2, Celtic 2.
45:00 +1:03 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Dinamo Zagreb 2, Celtic 2.
44:40

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Josip Pivaric.
42:40

Josip Pivaric (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
42:40

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
40:45

Foul by Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb).
40:45

Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40:37

Attempt saved. Ángelo Henríquez (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Marko Pjaca.
38:37 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Dinamo Zagreb 2, Celtic 2. Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom left corner.
35:27

Attempt missed. Ángelo Henríquez (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from very close range is too high. Assisted by Marko Pjaca following a corner.
35:25

Attempt missed. Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Domagoj Antolic with a cross following a corner.
35:00

Corner, Dinamo Zagreb. Conceded by Callum McGregor.
34:58

Attempt blocked. Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
34:19 Booking

Booking Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
33:49

Ángelo Henríquez (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
33:49

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
31:35

Foul by Mubarak Wakaso (Celtic).
31:35

Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
29:10 Booking

Booking Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
29:00 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Dinamo Zagreb 1, Celtic 2. Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by Nir Bitton following a set piece situation.
28:59

Attempt blocked. Nir Bitton (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
28:55

Kris Commons (Celtic) hits the bar with a left footed shot from outside the box from a direct free kick.
27:53

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
27:53

Foul by Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb).
24:49

Attempt blocked. Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ángelo Henríquez.
24:45

Attempt missed. Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Marko Pjaca.
23:24

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
23:24

Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
22:35 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Dinamo Zagreb 1, Celtic 1. Kris Commons (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Nir Bitton following a set piece situation.
22:29

Attempt blocked. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
21:16

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
21:16

Foul by Domagoj Antolic (Dinamo Zagreb).
20:41

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
20:41

Foul by Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb).
18:02

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
18:02

Foul by Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb).
13:21 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Dinamo Zagreb 1, Celtic 0. Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Arijan Ademi.
13:17

Attempt missed. Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
12:33

Foul by Mubarak Wakaso (Celtic).
12:33

Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
10:48 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dinamo Zagreb. Jozo Simunovic replaces Jérémy Taravel because of an injury.
9:22

Offside, Dinamo Zagreb. Ángelo Henríquez tries a through ball, but Soudani is caught offside.
8:52

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
8:37

Delay in match Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) because of an injury.
7:29

Attempt saved. Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Domagoj Antolic with a cross.
6:59

Corner, Dinamo Zagreb. Conceded by Mubarak Wakaso.
6:37

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Stefan Scepovic.
6:05

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ivo Pinto.
5:41

Foul by Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb).
5:41

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
3:37

Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Nir Bitton.
1:45

Attempt blocked. Domagoj Antolic (Dinamo Zagreb) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Josip Pivaric.
0:18

Foul by Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb).
0:18

Adam Matthews (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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