2018-08-08: Celtic 1-1 AEK Athens, European Cup

Trivia

• Champions League 2018-19
• First leg of two, Third Qualifying Round Celtic have to go thru 4 rounds & 2 legs to reach the Group stages, onto third round now.
  
• Winner over two legs will play the winner of Malmoor Videoton in the Playoff Round next. Celtic facing Greek opposition for only the second time in 56-year European history.
• Scott Brown makes history as first Scot to play 100 games in European Club football. Congrats (95 games were with Celtic, 5 at Hibs).
  
• BBC Report: Calls for limiting heading in football, and banning in youth games!
  Transfers:
• Boyata: Celtic knock back transfer bid of est £9m from Fulham. Rumours they have bid £12m.
  
• Izaguerre: Out of the blue, he is expected to return to Celtic!
• John McGinn: Celtic lose out to Aston Villa for the transfer in of the prodigious talent from Hibs. John McGinn is related to ex-Celtic chairman Jack McGinn.
• Some fans start getting agitated due to the lack of transfers as well as the poor state of the defence.
• Rumours begin on Rodgers and his dissatisfaction, albeit he has seemed to hint at this in recent conferences.
  
• Roberts/Denayer etc: Rumours continue of return for the pair of them. Celtic have played down reports linking them with a move for Liverpool midfielder Pedro Chirivella.
• European Championships games (cycling etc)being held in Glasgow. Causing traffic chaos for many Celtic fans trying to get to Celtic Park

Review

(samule of KDS)
We weren't terrible, certainly not as bad as some on here are making out anyway. We weren't brilliant either, not by a long shot.

They conceded 12 goals last season in the Greek league, so they obviously know how to defend and if anything I think them having a man sent off just made them even harder to break down as they just camped 8/9 men in the penalty area. We worked hard, but never quite had enough guile to get past the defenders to test the goalie. I thought taking Rogic off was a mistake in that regard, I know he hadn't been brilliant but if anyone in the squad's going to find that little bit of space it's him.

We could have done with Dembele too, his strength alone would have caused them problems, but given that they were missing (presumably) important players through injury too I'm not going to use that as an excuse.

Three defenders all managed to make a mess of things at their goal. Everyone knows that we need to strengthen there, but I reckon I've said those exact words at some point in every season I've ever watched Celtic, bar perhaps a couple of years under MON. Having a shampoo defence feels like as much part of being a Celtic supporter as having a **** running the PA system at Celtic Park, it's just how it is with us.

We're potentially good enough to get a result over in Athens, as long as Brendan gets his tactics right. There's very little between the two teams actually (albeit they're obviously better at defending than we are, I think that's balanced out by us being a better attacking side than them). Right now I have no idea whether we will get a result or not. Get the right players in the right formation and we can do it – this will be where Brendan earns his money.

(Arsene P of KDS forum)
This was always going to be a tight game, and as ever I'm amazed at the blame apportioned all over social media.

Yes there were mistakes for the AEK goal, but apart from that it was like watching an SPL game where we prodded and probed but couldn't break down a well marshalled defence who were a cut above our normal opposition because of their ability to humph it long to their front men who could get it, hold it and start counter attacks. They gave Hendry and Ajer a tough time, but they coped with it for the most part.

If you look at their side of it, we caused them more problems and shaky moments, and desperate tackling was implemented a few times, that near "penalty", the yellow cards, and some Row Z stuff. They timewasted and did everything they could, especially after the sending off, and they defended the way I'd expect us to defend in similar circumstances.

The tie is not over, but a couple of things need to happen for that to work. We need a forward that can get in the end of the crosses and a defence whose first role is to defend.

It was obvious that Edouard was not cut out to lead the line against those two centre backs they have, he rarely got on the ball centrally and when he did he was hustled or humped off the ball.

Forrest didn't really show til the 2nd half, but still couldn't provide the killer pass. Ntcham was easily our best playmaker, McGregor was his usual reliable self. We couldn't afford to buy a like for like replacement. His calmness is his best attribute. His reflexive reaction for the goal sums him up. He may not be 10/10 in a "best" position, but he's consistently 7 or 8 in every position. Rogic looked off it. His twinkeltoes were stamped on early doors and didn't really create as expected.

Brown did what he had to, again showing that the sitting role is now his until he's not fit for it.

Gordon didn't really have much to do – I don't know how close their goal shot was to him but it was well struck.

Hendry looks ok then he doesn't, then he does, then he doesn't – Hopefully experience will allow him to make the right decisions.

Ajer gets too tight at times and was outmuscled by their half decent front man, he goes to ground too quickly, but he's young and learning. His part in their goal was indicative of a need to be a proper defender too – "Just GET IT OOT!"

I can see why those two got the nod – Simunovic is untrustworthy for whatever reason, and Boyata is either not ready or leaving.

Tierney had a decent game but was ultimately thwarted by the packed penalty area and no real goal sniffer movement to hit.

Lustig should have closed down the cross or cemented the winger or something at the goal and there were a couple of other hairy moments for him.

Overall, we had the bulk of the attacking pressure, but some scary defensive maneouvres, but then so did AEK.

It wasn't just those collective defensive mistakes that made us frustrated, but the lack of clear chances to score against a stuffy well organised defence, which is what we get most weeks at home. If we'd won 3-1 then we'd have been happier but still apprehensive.

According to what I've read, AEK will not change their style at home, so if Dembele is fit he has to play, otherwise Griffiths with Edouard behind is the most creative option – we have to score, simple as that.

We knew the CL would be difficult to get into. It's a farce but it's what we have and the fact that one of these teams is going out sums up the way the elite countries are running the game now.

I understand the mumping and moaning about "defender signing this, and McGinn that, and why are the board not investing?" but last night reminded us, for the umpteenth time that it wouldn't have mattered who we signed or for how much, that unless you defend collectively and consistently mistakes will be punished and yer oot.

BR and the team need to maybe address that. It might not just be the players abilities or lack of, but the team instructions for defensive duties that may be to blame.

It's not all over til Nana Mouskouri has warbled.

Teams

Celtic

Goals

• McGregor (17' minutes)

AEK Athens

Substitutes

• 7Albanis
• 9Giakoumakis
• 12Brito
• 15Cosic
• 16Tsintotas
• 22Ponce
• 95dos Santos Saldanha

Goals

• Klonaridis (44' minutes),

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

• Match Pictures

Forum

• Pre-match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/11087392/
• Match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/11087935/
• Post Match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/11087945/

MOTM

• Voting Thread http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/11087944/
• Result Thread
• Winner –

Stats

Articles

Celtic 1 – 1 AEK: 10-man Greeks frustrate Scottish champions
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-1-1-aek-10-man-greeks-frustrate-scottish-champions-1-4781027

Celtic will need to produce one of their most notable away European results of recent years if hopes of a third successive qualification for the Champions League group stage are to survive a daunting assignment in Athens next Tuesday.
Brendan Rodgers’ seeded side are now cast in the role of outsiders in their third qualifying round tie after being held at home in the first leg. Callum McGregor’s early strike for the Scottish champions was cancelled out by AEK Athens through Victor Klonaridis on the stroke of half-time.

The Greek side survived most of the second half with 10 men after Kostas Galanopoulos was sent off for two bookable offences.

Rodgers, inset right, had expressed his concerns over the strength of his squad on the eve of the match and this was a performance which illustrated the need for more fresh faces during the current transfer window. Unfortunately for Celtic, it could prove too late to preserve a Champions League bid now hanging very much in the balance.

McGregor’s 17th-minute breakthrough was a reward for the high tempo with which Celtic started the match. This was a first competitive fixture of the season for AEK Athens, whose domestic league does not start until the end of August, and Rodgers’ men clearly hoped to catch them cold.
Before they did so, they had to survive a scare in the opening minute when Helder Lopes broke down the left beyond Celtic right-back Mikael Lustig and found Galanopoulos inside the box. Craig Gordon was alert to the danger, making a smart save at his near post. Celtic’s response, driven by captain Scott Brown as he made his landmark 100th European appearance, was forceful and effective. Kieran Tierney was also prominent as the hosts put AEK under some sustained early pressure and when the adventurous left-back saw a shot blocked, the ball broke to Odsonne Edouard who was denied a clear sight of goal by a superb tackle from Vasilis Lampropoulos.
Olivier Ntcham had the AEK defence on the back foot again in the ninth minute with a piercing through ball which Edouard neatly laid off into the path of McGregor whose rising shot was touched over by Vasilis Barkas. From the resulting corner kick, James Forrest saw his effort blocked by Tasos Bakasetas for the hard-pressed Greek champions.
The momentum was sustained as Klonaridis picked up the first booking of the evening for a foul on Tierney right on the edge of the penalty area. From a promising position, Edouard’s free-kick was a disappointment as he failed to clear the defensive wall.

But the home fans didn’t have much longer to wait for the opening goal. It was sourced in some slack play from Marko Livaja, AEK’s Croatian forward losing possession in midfield. Celtic pounced eagerly and when Tierney found space yet again on the left of their penalty area, his low cross was deflected into the path of McGregor who turned superbly to guide a left foot shot beyond Barkas’ left hand from around eight yards.
The stage appeared set for Celtic to build a dominant position in the tie but AEK provided a reminder of the threat they could carry when Livaja saw a shot blocked and the ball broke into the path of Bakasetas who passed up a glorious chance as he took an embarrassing fresh-air swipe from the edge of the penalty area.
As Celtic pursued a second goal to cement their early control, an inviting low cross from the effervescent Tierney deserved better than to slide across the six-yard box with no takers among his team-mates.
From the other flank, Forrest showed great footwork to weave his way into a shooting position but his low right foot effort skidded wide of Barkas’ right-hand post.

Celtic were made to regret their failure to double their advantage as AEK made their attacking presence felt in the closing stages of the first half. Gordon denied them an equaliser in the 40th minute when he again reacted well to turn over a dipping shot from Lopes.
But the Celtic keeper had no answer when the visitors did make it 1-1 a minute before the break. Lustig was unable to prevent an AEK break down the right through Lopes and the central defensive pairing of Kristoffer Ajer and Jack Hendry were both caught out by the midfielder’s cross which picked out Klonaridis for a powerful and accurate finish high beyond Gordon from around 14 yards.
AEK were emboldened by the timing of their goal and tried to start the second half on the front foot. Livaja’s dangerous run was halted by a foul from Ajer earning the young Norwegian his third booking of the qualifying campaign which means he will be suspended for next week’s second leg. But the initiative appeared to swing away from AEK again when Galanopoulos collected two yellow cards in the space of just seven minutes. After being booked for a calculated foul on Tom Rogic, the Greek midfielder was foolish enough to follow it up with a trip on Forrest right under the nose of the Italian referee who had no hesitation in dismissing him. Rodgers sent on Leigh Griffiths for Rogic, the striker joining Edouard up front as Celtic looked to take advantage of having the extra man. The substitution almost paid off when Forrest’s teasing cross picked out Griffiths but his header flashed just off target.
Scott Sinclair also joined the fray, replacing Lustig, and the winger passed up Celtic’s best chance of taking a lead into the second leg when he failed to connect with Ntcham’s low cross into the six-yard box.

BBC
Dominant Celtic will have to score in Greece after being held to a draw by 10-man AEK Athens in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.
Callum McGregor smashed in the 17th-minute opener from a tight angle, but the Greeks drew level before the break through Viktor Klonaridis' away goal.
Konstantinis Galanopoulos was dismissed after receiving two bookings in seven second-half minutes.

But Celtic could not convert their numerical advantage into a winner.
Olivier Ntcham and substitutes Leigh Griffiths and Scott Sinclair came closest to providing Brendan Rodgers' men with that fillip.
The decisive meeting takes place next Tuesday, and Celtic must find the net to stand a chance of progressing to the play-off round.

Athens tame Celtic's tempo

The work-rate was there. Rodgers got exactly what he wanted on that score but as the game progressed, the visitors learned how to combat Celtic's high tempo.
The Greek champions spent most of the first half repelling wave after wave of attack from a home side who looked increasingly hungry.
Kieran Tierney and McGregor were the architects of everything that was good for Celtic – including the goal. Tierney terrorised right-back Michalis Bakakis and his team-mate provided a special, driven finish.
The message from Rodgers looked clear: overrun Athens in a shock-and-awe show of strength from the first whistle. After the opener it looked like it would work, but AEK refused to buckle.
Their goal was completely avoidable from a Celtic point of view after a number of warnings that a leveller could come. Klonaridis pounced on indecision in the home defence and rifled past Craig Gordon.
It gave Athens the shot in the arm they needed and injected some nerves into the stands of a packed Celtic Park.
Even the dismissal of Galanopoulos failed to dampen the visitors' belief that they could take something from the first leg.
As the clock ticked, they fell deeper and deeper. Forward came Celtic. But frustration grew in home ranks as the tempo of their play began to abate, and chances to utilise their man advantage were squandered.
In the end, it was the perfect defensive display from a side who will fancy their chances in the baking heat of Greece next week.

'Hairline cracks fracture supremacy' – analysis

The warnings had been coming from Rodgers: strengthen or risk faltering before reaching the Champions League group stage. This tie is by no means over but make no mistake, Celtic find themselves in a much more perilous position than most predicted.
Yes, they dominated and at times looked slick and dangerous, but they were up against a side who knew how to frustrate. And frustration is the key word for Rodgers right now.
As a packed Celtic Park celebrated McGregor's opener, Aston Villa were parading the Scottish champions' midfield target John McGinn all over social media. The club's failure to secure his services irked Rodgers enough to go public with his displeasure.
This result will serve as a reminder that if Celtic are serious about being Champions League regulars, they must be more ruthless in the transfer market.
Signing McGinn would have made no difference to the outcome of this match – he could not have played for Celtic until the group stage, should they get there, having featured for Hibernian in Europe already this term.
But the events of the evening provided a worrying metaphor for a club where, after years of solid domination and progress, hairline cracks are beginning to appear.