2015-02-26: Inter Milan 1-0 Celtic, UEFA Cup

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

Trivia

• UEFA Cup/Europa League
• Second leg, UEFA Cup Round of 32
• First leg 3-3 at Celtic Park; 4-3 defeat in aggregate
• Out of Europe.
• Referee was a disgrace. Two penalties not given when could have to Celtic, and Van Dijk harshly judged to be sent off.
• Fourteen times Scottish club sides have played in Milan before tonight and not a single side has ever won there.
• Leigh Griffiths apparently picked up a knock in training last night so John Guidetti started.
• Commons on bench at start, many were arguing if he should have started or not.
• Curious but Scepovic not even taken to Milan. He played in the reserve development side this match day. Boerrigter played in same match(and scored).
• Disappointing defeat but a good performance and despite the loss, the team is showing signs of improvements and progress.
• Bitton is really beginning to impress many.
• Celtic charged on two investigation counts by UEFA: 1) flares set off by a few idiots again, 2) more than 5 yellow cards in a game.
• Flares are becoming a major issue as some idiots are not listening and still setting them off despite the bulk of the support railing against them. UEFA have fined Celtic enough times and the issue is escalating.
• Celtic are fined EUR 10k for away fans conduct (flares etc) from the Zagreb game. Not good.
• Fines: The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has taken the following decisions
  Match: UEFA Europa League 2014/2015, Round of 32, 2nd leg, F.C. Internazionale Milano vs. Celtic FC (1-0) played on 26 February in Italy.
  Celtic FC:
  Charges: setting off of fireworks – art. 16 (2) (c) DR; improper conduct of the team (5 cards or more) – art. 15 (4) DR
  Decision: Celtic FC have been fined €8,000 for the improper conduct of the team and €5,000 for the setting off of fireworks.
  Internazionale:
  Charges: setting off of fireworks – art. 16 (2) (c)
  Decision: Internazionale have been fined €5,000.

Review

(paujames of KDS forum)
Thought we competed well until the red card. At that point it could have gone either way and we looked as likely to score as they did.

After the red card, it was a hell of a job just to stay in the game and we did that ok. Gordon was back to the sort of form we have seen this season. Looking like a real steal. I can understand why the manager did it, but GMS was a good outlet for us. We missed that as it went on.

We didn't get at them as much as i would have liked but that said I felt a set piece would have been our best opportunity and i cant help but feel that if we had created something, the ref would have given them a foul and taken the pressure off of them anyway.

We need to get cuter and learn that, although not a particularly pretty spectacle at times, the way Italian teams play is a struggle for Celtic. I have seen the same game over and over again over the the years against Milan and Juventus and we always end up with the same complaints. They play in a way that is alien to us and the refs are too easily fooled by them. They know every trick in the book and we really struggle with it. We play into their hands letting them draw soft fouls and break up the game, break up the rhythm of the game and let us rack up stupid bookings. All the while trying to shag you at corner kicks and free kicks. It's like UFC and then their centre halves get outside the penalty area and you could knock them over with a light breeze!

Celtic are going in the right direction and we look a long way away from the team that played Warsaw and Maribor now. Still a long way to go but we are showing real signs of progress.

(pjmcm of KDS)
Great effort from the bhoys – couldn't fault them, even VvD as I think both his bookings were ridiculous.

I have to say though, it's getting tiresome to have yet another big Euro game spoiled by the performance of the officials. Not just Celtic games, but this is happening all over – all the build up, tension and anticipation, and what happens? The game as a spectacle is ruined by officials who displayed a level of incompetence that would see them sacked from any 'normal' job! Either that or they were intent on ensuring Inter won the tie???

No wonder Commons was raging at the end; you can accept being beaten fair and square by a team who play better on the night, but that didn't happen here. I think we were capable of turning them over had we kept 11 men on the park (and had fair decision making from the "referee").

Ah well, it's done and dusted now – bring on the sheep!

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Stats

Inter Milan Celtic
Possession
34% 66%
90mins

Shots
22 7

On target
7 2

Corners
5 1

Fouls
6 22

Articles

Bhoys beaten but unbowed as Inter Milan march into last-16 of Europa League with 1-0 win over Celtic in San Siro

A CELTIC side that had been reduced to 10 men in the first half with the ordering off of centre-half Virgil van Dijk exited the Europa League last night despite producing a spirited performance against Inter Milan in the San Siro.
Matthew Lindsay
Matthew Lindsay Sports Journalist
Friday 27/02/2015
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/celtic/bhoys-beaten-but-unbowed-as-inter-milan-march-into-last-16-of-europa-198715n.119511049

The Scottish champions' hopes of progressing to the last 16 of the competition suffered a serious setback when Van Dijk departed the field in the 36th minute after receiving his second yellow card in the space of 11 minutes.

It was a huge challenge for Ronny Deila's side, who had drawn the first leg with Roberto Mancini's team 3-3 at Parkhead last week, to prevail on foreign soil and progress to the next round with a full complement of players.

The loss of their Dutch defender made their task even more daunting.

However, Celtic contained their rivals admirably and were only defeated when Fredy Gaurin unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top left corner of their goal from 25 yards in the 88th minute.

The ovation the Celtic players and their manager received from the away support after the final whistle spoke volumes for how gallantly they had battled during the 90 minutes in Italy specifically and in Europe in the 2014/15 campaign.

Deila made just one change to the side that started against Inter in the first leg and that was up front. John Guidetti, who had come off the bench to score a stoppage-time equaliser seven days before, replaced the injured Leigh Griffiths in attack.

Griffiths had bagged four goals in under a month and will have been disappointed to miss out on this occasion.

Mancini, meanwhile, made two alterations to the Inter side that took to the field in Glasgow. Danilo D'Ambrosio, the pacy 26-year-old left-back, and Hernanes, the €20million Brazilian international midfielder, came in. Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Hugo Campagnaro, who had scored an own goal in the first leg, dropped out.

The first scoring opportunity of the game fell to Gary Mackay-Steven in just the seventh minute.

The winger controlled a diagonal ball from Emilio Izaguirre brilliantly and advanced into the opposition box unchallenged.

His left foot shot was blocked by the legs of the Inter goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.

The visitors were given a stark reminder of the calibre of opposition they were up against just a minute later when Hernanes skipped past Scott Brown out on the left wing leaving his opponent rooted to the turf.

Stuart Armstrong had what looked to be a strong penalty claim waved away by Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzilak in the 14th minute after he appeared to be barged over by Davide Santon as he bore down on goal. Guidetti also had appeal waved away after being pulled back by Andrea Ranocchia.

Much of the focus going into this game was on the central defensive partnership of Jason Denayer and Virgil van Dijk given the youthful pair's previous misdemeanours in Europe.

They certainly had their work cut out nullifying the threat posed by the twin Inter strikeforce of Mauro Icardi and Rodrigo Palacio.

However, both Denayer and Van Dijk acquitted themselves admirably in intimidating surroundings in the early exchanges in what was an open and entertaining match.

That encouraging start made the latter's departure all the more frustrating for the large travelling support perched high up in the third tier of the Curva Sud.

The Dutch defenders first booking for a foul on Palacio in the 26th minute was needless and stupid.

His second caution for bringing down Icardi was debatable. It certainly looked clumsy more than malicious. The match official, though, had no hesitation in sending him off.

A reshuffle was required and Deila threw on Efe Ambrose at centre-half and removed Mackay-Steven, who had been bright, in the 39th minute. Stefan Johansen switched to right flank leaving Guidetti isolated up front by himself.

Celtic, as has so often been the case in Europe this season, had their keeper Craig Gordon to thank for keeping them in the game after they were reduced to 10 men.

He produced two outstanding saves in the space of five minutes before half-time to ensure his side returned to their dressing room on level terms.

Hernanes whipped the free-kick that Inter were awarded as a result of the Van Dijk ordering off into the Celtic six-yard box and Icardi got his head to it. Gordon showed outstanding reflexes to push it over the crossbar and deny the forward.

The Scotland internationalist diverted a D'Ambrosio shot to safety with the inside of his right heel in 43rd minute, palmed a Hernanes shot wide in the 53rd minute and stopped a Fredy Guarin attempt in the 56th minute.

The 32-year-old's latest fine display in Europe will do his chances no harm of forcing his way back into the national team.

Guidetti made way for James Forrest in the 59th minute and Kris Commons took over from Armstrong in the 78th minute.

Both substitutions were designed to inject some freshness into Celtic's endeavours going forward. But they were unable to threaten the Inter goal.

Losing to Roberto Mancini's side is no disgrace. This Nerazzurri side cost £60million more to assemble.

Xherdan Shaqiri was bought for £13million from Bayern Munich, Gary Medel was brought in from Cardiff City for £10million and Guarin arrived from Porto for £9million.

Deila will have learned greatly from his experiences in the Champions League and Europa League – as his predecessor Neil Lennon did before him.

Young players like Stuart Armstrong, Liam Henderson, Gary Mackay-Steven and Callum McGregor will also benefit from their exposure to such a high level of competition.
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BBC
By Alasdair Lamont BBC Scotland at the San Siro

Inter proceed to last 16 of Europa League
Celtic's Virgil van Dijk sent off in 36th minute
Craig Gordon makes series of saves to deny Inter
Fredy Guarin blasts winner two minutes from the end
Celtic battled stoically in the San Siro before succumbing to a stunning late strike from Inter's Fredy Guarin.

Any chance the Scottish champions had of progressing looked to have been extinguished when Virgil van Dijk was shown a first-half red card.

But Celtic did not crumble and remained in the tie until Guarin's fine finish.

Despite the disappointment of their exit, Ronny Deila can take comfort from his side's ability to compete with the Milanese over two legs.

Celtic's Jason Denayer and Nir Bitton were defensively outstanding as Celtic spent most of the second half camped around their own box.

But neither they nor keeper Craig Gordon could resist Guarin's blistering drive from 22 yards.

Celtic's most famous victory on foreign soil was against Inter Milan in the 1967 European Cup final and hopes of a first win on Italian soil were high before Van Dijk's sending off.

However, there was a first-minute scare when the Dutchman allowed Mauro Icardi in behind him, only for the striker to scuff his shot at Gordon.

In an open, end-to-end first half Gary Mackay-Steven had Celtic's best opportunity but struck his shot straight at Inter keeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.

Two Celtic penalty claims went unheeded by Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak, who took a harder line as Van Dijk caught Rodrigo Palacio from behind and shortly afterwards picked up a second booking for a foul on Icardi.

That changed the balance of the match, with Celtic forced largely onto the defensive as centre-half Denayer blocked Xherdan Shaqiri's goalbound shot and Gordon kept out Danilo D'Ambrosio on the rebound.

The Celtic goalkeeper also made an absolutely stunning one-handed save to claw away Mauro Icardi's header from a free-kick moments after Van Dijk's dismissal.

Celtic's organisation and stout defending meant the goalkeeper was largely unworked after the break until having to pick Guarin's shot out of the net, the moment the tie was sealed.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Inter Milan 1, Celtic 0.
90:00 +3:20 Booking

Booking Kris Commons (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
90:00 +3:09 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Inter Milan 1, Celtic 0.
90:00 +2:54

Attempt saved. Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Hugo Campagnaro with a cross.
90:00 +1:41

Corner, Inter Milan. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
90:00 +1:05

Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +1:05

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
90:00 +0:16

Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Emilio Izaguirre with a cross.
88:45 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Inter Milan. George Puscas replaces Rodrigo Palacio.
87:06 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Inter Milan 1, Celtic 0. Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan) right footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Davide Santon.
86:33

Attempt missed. Gary Medel (Inter Milan) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high following a set piece situation.
85:46 Booking

Booking Adam Matthews (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
85:37

Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan) wins a free kick on the left wing.
85:37

Foul by Adam Matthews (Celtic).
84:59

Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84:59

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
84:50 Booking

Booking Nir Bitton (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
84:17

Gary Medel (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84:17

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
82:23

Foul by Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan).
82:23

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81:36

Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81:36

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
81:26

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Scott Brown with a headed pass.
80:10 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Inter Milan. Hugo Campagnaro replaces Danilo D'Ambrosio.
79:18 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Inter Milan. Mateo Kovacic replaces Hernanes.
77:53 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Kris Commons replaces Stuart Armstrong.
77:10 Booking

Booking Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
77:06

Foul by Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan).
77:06

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
74:58

Juan Jesus (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
74:58

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
74:25

Attempt missed. Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Fredy Guarín.
70:55

Corner, Inter Milan. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
70:07 Booking

Booking Craig Gordon (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
69:44

Attempt missed. Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Rodrigo Palacio.
68:47

Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
68:47

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
67:28

Hernanes (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
67:28

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
66:15

Attempt missed. Xherdan Shaqiri (Inter Milan) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Rodrigo Palacio with a headed pass.
65:44

Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter Milan) wins a free kick on the left wing.
65:44

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
65:01

Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
65:01

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
63:44

Attempt missed. Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Xherdan Shaqiri with a cross following a corner.
63:12

Corner, Inter Milan. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
61:57

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
61:00

Delay in match Nir Bitton (Celtic) because of an injury.
60:32

Attempt blocked. Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
59:13

Attempt missed. Hernanes (Inter Milan) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
58:23 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces John Guidetti.
57:50

Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
57:50

Foul by John Guidetti (Celtic).
56:31

Attempt blocked. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by John Guidetti.
55:34

Attempt saved. Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fredy Guarín with a through ball.
52:52 Booking

Booking Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
52:06

Attempt saved. Hernanes (Inter Milan) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Xherdan Shaqiri.
48:37

Attempt missed. Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Fredy Guarín with a through ball.
48:08

Offside, Celtic. Emilio Izaguirre tries a through ball, but John Guidetti is caught offside.
46:44

Offside, Celtic. John Guidetti tries a through ball, but Stefan Johansen is caught offside.
45:00

Second Half begins Inter Milan 0, Celtic 0.
45:00 +2:01 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Inter Milan 0, Celtic 0.
45:00 +0:33

Corner, Inter Milan. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
45:00 +0:03

Attempt blocked. Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hernanes.
44:19

Attempt missed. Gary Medel (Inter Milan) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Xherdan Shaqiri.
42:50 Booking

Booking Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter Milan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
42:28

Foul by Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter Milan).
42:28

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
42:20

Attempt saved. Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter Milan) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
42:18

Attempt blocked. Xherdan Shaqiri (Inter Milan) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rodrigo Palacio.
39:36

Attempt missed. Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Xherdan Shaqiri with a cross following a corner.
39:10 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Efe Ambrose replaces Gary Mackay-Steven.
38:46

Corner, Inter Milan. Conceded by Nir Bitton.
38:23

Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
38:23

Foul by John Guidetti (Celtic).
36:59

Offside, Inter Milan. Hernanes tries a through ball, but Mauro Icardi is caught offside.
35:47 Dismissal

Dismissal Second yellow card to Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) for a bad foul.
35:27

Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) wins a free kick on the left wing.
35:27

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
34:20

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Davide Santon.
28:57

Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
28:57

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
26:11 Booking

Booking Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
26:04

Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan) wins a free kick on the right wing.
26:04

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
24:22

Attempt missed. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Stefan Johansen.
23:20

Attempt blocked. Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter Milan) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Fredy Guarín.
22:47

Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
22:47

Foul by John Guidetti (Celtic).
18:49

Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
18:49

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
18:05

Attempt missed. Davide Santon (Inter Milan) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mauro Icardi.
16:49

Xherdan Shaqiri (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
16:49

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
15:59

Offside, Celtic. Adam Matthews tries a through ball, but John Guidetti is caught offside.
14:57

Hernanes (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
14:57

Foul by Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic).
13:21

John Guidetti (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
13:21

Foul by Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan).
12:37

Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
12:35

Attempt blocked. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by John Guidetti.
11:44

Foul by Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan).
11:44

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
10:26

Foul by Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter Milan).
10:26

Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
9:57

Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter Milan) wins a free kick on the left wing.
9:57

Foul by Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic).
8:29

Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan) wins a free kick on the left wing.
8:29

Foul by Jason Denayer (Celtic).
7:35

Attempt missed. Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Gary Medel.
6:39

Attempt saved. Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fredy Guarín.
6:23

Attempt saved. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Emilio Izaguirre with a cross.
5:32

Offside, Inter Milan. Fredy Guarín tries a through ball, but Rodrigo Palacio is caught offside.
4:55

Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).
4:55

Davide Santon (Inter Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
1:23

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
0:40

Delay in match Adam Matthews (Celtic) because of an injury.
0:11

Attempt saved. Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Gary Medel with a through ball.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00