2020-10-01: FK Sarajevo 0-1 Celtic, UEFA Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022

Trivia

  • UEFA Cup, Europa League Qualifying round play-off
  • Thursday 7pm kick-off
  • Single match due to Coronavirus situation; no away goals rule
  • Played at Asim Ferhatovic Hase Stadium
  • Match not be played in the club’s home stadium, but instead  over 40 miles away because their ground does not meet UEFA’s criteria for this qualifying round.
  • Match was only available for Celtic TV viewers outside of UK/Ireland and for Celtic season ticket holders on the Celt
  • Both Celtic & Sevco thru to group stage, as are Dundalk
  • Celtic in pot 1 of the draw, and then drawn against Milan, Sparta Prague and Lille in the group stages of the Europa League, Group H.
  • Nir Bitton taken off due to a bad injury early in the game.
  • For the next person who mentions that Scottish teams don’t have the resources for the CL anymore, there are 4 teams in this year’s group stages who couldn’t beat Sevco or Celtic in 8 attempts last season
  • Covid:
    • SNP MP Margaret Ferrier causes headache after not taking proper precautions after test & positive result. Calls for her resignation.
    • Ex-Celt David Moyes in self-isolation.
    • Concerns of second wave.#
    • Kilmarnock have confirmed another three positive #COVID19 cases, taking the total at the club to six.
  • Four more Scottish Premiership players have tested positive for Covid-19. Three players from Kilmarnock and one from Hamilton have the virus and are self-isolating. The teams’ games on Friday are set to go ahead.
  • Transfers:
    • Ex-Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic is still looking for a new club – almost FOUR months after leaving the Parkhead side. We do wish him the best. A switch to Trabzonspor fell through, told the Croatian club have pulled out because of concerns over his injury record
    • Dundee sign of Jonathan Afolabi from Celtic on a season long loan, good luck to him.

Summary

(The poacher on KDS)

We had a better 2nd half but still struggle against even modest sides who decide to sit in. We could be a pretty good countering team – you look at our forwards when facing the goal and they are a different animal. Likewise our defence doenst look so hot on the turn and  playing high line against pace.

Our midfield looks particularly blunt – Chrisite isnt always on the same wavelength as his teammates; sometimes that isnt wholly his fault, others overhitting even simple passes – there was a pass back to Brown at one point that the ricochet nearly went over Browns head. McGregor is playing extremely conservatively with his passes and positioning. Brown had a flurry at the beginning of the second half and I was fine with that – go all in and get subbed circa 70 mins, but no, he was there till the bitter end and was drifiting out of it precisely when we could have done with a defensive mid to help sweep up.

We have probs down our leftside, but even allowing for that Ed was particularly subdued. Again I dont see great understanding between himself and Elyounoussi but he got the goal and has maybe still some way to go to full fitness.

Frimpong was again smashing but could do with a little more support; Christie and our right sided defender can link with him but he can be very useful in the inside right channel working with one of our forwards.

Hope Bittons injury isnt too bad.

(ian mcf on twitter)

It’s time all of the critics got off Greg Taylor’s case, whether they think he’s “Celtic class” or not. He’s a young guy who’s got big boots to fill, and he’s doing it alone thanks to that clown Bolingoli. If they keep it up they’ll eventually wreck the guy’s confidence…

(Tom english on twitter)

Celtic advance to the Europa League group stage. Deserved. Bossed the second half. Don’t understand some Celtic fans slagging off Greg Taylor on here. Weird. Twitter rarely reflects the majority view of course

Teams

FK Sarajevo

  • 13Kovacevic
  • 6OremusBooked at 90mins
  • 15Milicevic
  • 29DupovacBooked at 43mins
  • 3Pidro
  • 21Pejovic
  • 31Susic
  • 24Djokanovic Substituted forJukicat 85’minutes
  • 38Olubori Adebowale Fanimo Substituted forVelkoskiat 85’minutes
  • 9Ahmetovic Substituted forHandzicat 68’minutes
    • 32Tatar

Substitutes

  • 2Hodzic
  • 7Hebibovic
  • 11Velkoski
  • 16Dzafic
  • 22Jukic
  • 25Serbecic
  • 28Handzic

Celtic

  • 1Barkas
  • 6Bitton Substituted forElhamedat 10’minutes
  • 4Duffy
  • 35Ajer
  • 30FrimpongBooked at 89mins
  • 17Christie Substituted forNtchamat 86’minutes
  • 8Brown
  • 42McGregor
  • 3Taylor
  • 22Edouard Substituted forKlimalaat 79’minutesBooked at 90mins
  • 27Elyounoussi

Substitutes

  • 2Jullien
  • 9Griffiths
  • 11Klimala
  • 14Turnbull
  • 21Ntcham
  • 29Bain
  • 44Elhamed

Goals:

Edouard (70′ minutes)

Assists: Christie (70mins)

Ref: Benoît Bastien

Att: zero (covid)

Articles

  • Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Links

Stats

Home Team

FK Sarajevo

Away Team

Celtic

Possession

Home37%

Away63%

Shots

Home5

Away14

Shots on Target

Home0

Away4

Corners

Home3

Away6

Fouls

Home9

Away11

Articles

Odsonne Edouard eases Celtic to a first 10-in-a-row as Scottish champions secure Europa League group stage football

Neil Lennon’s men exhibit impressive professionalism to negotiate awkward tie

By Andrew Smith

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/odsonne-edouard-eases-celtic-first-10-row-scottish-champions-secure-europa-league-group-stage-football-2990209

Thursday, 1st October 2020, 10:19 pm

Celtic’s goalscorer Odsonne Edouard, in early action as he duels for the ball with Sarajevo’s Mersudin Ahmetovic, second right, during the Scottish champions Europa League play-off win in Zenica’s Bilino polje stadium. (AP Photo/Kemal Softic)

There have been many more exhilarating nights for Celtic as they have secured European group-stage football in each of the past nine campaigns. However, the racking up of the first ten-in-a-row that they seek this season was a triumph of professionalism.

A wholly dominant second-half performance may have only produced a predatory finish by Odsonne Edouard. Yet, in the final analysis, Neil Lennon’s men saw off FK Sarajevo to book a place in the Europa League group stages with more than a bit to spare.

Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports

In the closing stages, there was never any feeling that the 70th-minute goal by the Frenchman wouldn’t be enough. Celtic were solid in a fashion rarely true when they are on the road in continental competition. They had a job to do in Bosnia and Herzegovina. And, without fashioning chances with the regularity that should have resulted from their command of the ball, their passage was really pretty straightforward.

That, in itself, was a step forward following the dicey evening in Riga a week ago, and the defensive shortcomings against Ferencvaros that ended their interest in the Champions League five weeks ago. That Celtic’s focus never wavered will content Lennon, pictured inset, as will the fact that they have now strung together consecutive wins on the road in Europe without the concession of a goal for the first time in an age. Albeit, that the complexion of such assignments is altered by the absence of any fans in stadiums.

Surprise selections from him have narked a section of the Celtic support this season. They couldn’t grumble about the line-up last night, though. Unsurprisingly, Lennon retained the line-up that had put Hibernian to the sword at the weekend, and exhibited an effervescence that for their followers has been in too short supply across the early stages of this campaign.

Such continuity was almost immediately undermined when quick feet from Nir Bitton led to him taking a boot in the ankle from Tino Susic. The grimacing from the right-sided central defender was all too real and after receiving treatment for a full two minutes he was required to give way to fellow Israeli international Hatem Elhamed. Bitton left the arena on a stretcher, which must place his participation in the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Scotland in some doubt.

An early moment of hesitation from Elhamed played a part in Benjamin Tartar driving into the box and whipping in a shot from an angle that Vasilis Barkas felt the need to push round his post. The immaculate handling from the Greek keeper otherwise was a feature of a pedestrian first half.

This one moment of slight anxiety for the Scottish champions came during an opening period in which the hosts were content to lie deep and allow Celtic to make the play, principally because their hosts seemed to be able to do so little constructive with it.

The stodginess that has afflicted Lennon’s men all-too-often in such circumstances over recent times once more bedevilled their endeavours in Zenica. They prodded and teased as they sought to move Sarajevo around, but could not ally this to the required creativity and penetration. It isn’t that there was a lack of industry; it’s just the invention that was absent.

It took until the 40th minute before Celtic succeeded in translating their territorial advantage into a first shot requiring keeper Vladan Kovacevic to act. Yet, although Mohamed Elyounoussi was accurate and adept in first-timing an Edouard flick into his path towards goal, the effort was easily gobbled up by Kovacevic.

The need to up the ante, as well as the pace, was clearly understood by Celtic in how they snapped into action from the first whistle of the second period. And as they grew in authority, so this had the effect of causing Sarajevo’s resistance to weaken.

With Jeremie Frimpong

raiding down the right, and forcing play from such as Ryan Christie and Elyounoussi, Sarajevo were worn down. Kristoffer Ajer should have found the net with a header from a Christie corner, but it began to become obvious the home side were living on borrowed time.

Hemmed in by Scott Brown and Callum McGregor consistently picking up second balls and reigniting attacks, the crucial foray that sealed a

fully warranted win came courtesy of sharp interplay in the 70th minute wherein Elyounoussi backheeled to allow Christie a shot from the edge of the box. On target but with no real venom, diving to his left Kovacevic could only push it in front of him, presenting Edouard with a gift from six yards out.

In total control thereafter, Celtic may not have excelled on the night, but they were more than good enough.

BBC

By Martin WattBBC Scotland

Last updated on

3 hours ago3 hours ago.From the section Europa League

Highlights: Sarajevo 0-1 Celtic

Odsonne Edouard rewarded Celtic for a much-improved second-half performance in Sarajevo as his winner secured their place in the Europa League group stage.

The French striker poked home 20 minutes from time to settle the play-off after goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic spilled a Ryan Christie shot.

Neil Lennon’s side were rarely troubled as they progressed past the qualifiers for the third year in succession.

Celtic are in pot one for Friday’s draw in Nyon (12:00 BST).

Old Firm have ‘raised the bar’ – Lennon

Rodgers back at Celtic? What awaits in draw?

Having had their Champions League hopes extinguished by Ferencvaros, Lennon’s men capitalised on their second chance in Europe.

But they were made to work for it in Bosnia-Herzegovina after a sluggish first 45 minutes. It took until shortly before the interval to register a shot on target, Mohamed Elyounoussi’s volley from an Edouard lay-off proving an easy gather for the keeper.

Celtic were given an early warning at the other end when the hosts broke at pace and Benjamin Tatar lashed a near-post drive into the side-netting.

A big improvement was required from Lennon’s men, and it was duly delivered. Kristoffer Ajer scuffed wide from six yards after a corner dropped at his feet, then Elyounoussi hammered a shot at the keeper.

The second-half momentum kept building, with Christie thumping a shot from distance inches over and substitute Hatem Elhamed volleying narrowly wide.

The nerves were finally eased when Edouard – restored to the starting line-up in place of the injured Albian Ajeti – followed up on Christie’s shot to score his sixth goal of the season.

Christie and Jeremie Frimpong had chances to make the closing stages more comfortable, but Celtic saw out the game with minimum fuss.

Man of the match – Ryan Christie

The midfielder was Celtic’s main creative force and goal threat. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself, but can be content with his key role in the winning goal.

The midfielder was Celtic’s main creative force and goal threat. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself, but can be content with his key role in the winning strike.

What did we learn?

Celtic were on a hiding to nothing in these qualifiers, but can breathe easy now and look forward to challenging themselves against elite opposition. The finance from another group-stage campaign will come in handy too.

And although Edouard has yet to hit top form this season, he remains integral to Celtic’s hopes of success. The 22-year-old once again proved he is a player for the big occasion, pouncing to breach the stubborn hosts who had repelled heavy pressure.

What did they say?

Celtic manager Neil Lennon: “It was a dominant performance against a strong, physical and well organised team.

“The pitch was awful. We had to adapt and be more aggressive in our play, put more crosses in and try to switch the play quicker. We did that really well second half.”

What’s next?

Celtic sign off before the international break with a trip to St Johnstone (12:00 BST) in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Sarajevo 0-1 RECAP: Odsonne Edouard scores the only goal as Celtic reach Europa League group stages

All the updates from Bosnia as Celtic take on Sarajevo looking for a place in the Europa League group stages

By Craig Fowler

Thursday, 1st October 2020, 5:41 pm

Updated

9 hours ago

Odsonne Edouard celebrates scoring the game’s only goal with his team-mates. Picture: SNS

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Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports

Sarajevo v Celtic LIVE: Match updates from Europa League clash

Last updated: Thursday, 01 October, 2020, 20:53

Celtic look to make it into group stages of Europa League

Neil Lennon’s side travel to Bosnia looking to win one-off tie

Team news, match action, post-match reaction: it’s all here.

11 hours ago

Below from TheScotsman

Full-timeAnd that’s it! Celtic are into the group stages of the Europa League for the third consecutive campaign.It wasn’t easy in Sarajevo but they were undoubtedly the better team on the night. Their supporters would have wanted a more dominant display, though the result is the most important thing that matters.

11 hours ago

90+2 – ShotHanzdic gets the ball into feet in a crowded penalty box. He’s able to turn and have a shot but he gets little on the effort and it’s an easy save for Barkas.

11 hours ago

Seconds ticking byDoesn’t seem likely at all that Celtic are going to let this slip. Sarajevo have put a few balls into the box but they’ve been comfortably dealt with.

11 hours ago

87 – Shot wideA nice run from Frimpong cutting inside ends with the full-back having a go with his weaker left foot. It has the keeper scrambling but is always swerving wide.

11 hours ago

SubCeltic make their final change with Olivier Ntcham replacing Christie, while Sarajevo have made their final throw of the dice with two attackers coming on for the last four minutes plus injury time.

11 hours ago

84 – OpportunityA dangerous cross from Frimpong nearly finds Klimala running in. It just doesn’t quite bounce for the Polish substitute as Sarajevo live to fight on.

11 hours ago

78 – ChanceAnother Celtic counter led by Edouard. This time it’s Christie he feeds on the left. The Scottish midfielder beats the keeper but doesn’t have the accuracy to turn it goalward.Klimala replaces Edouard as Celtic make their second sub.

11 hours ago

74 – ShotEdouard leads a counter-attack following a Sarajevo set-piece. He clips it above the defence for Elyounoussi running in on the left of the area. Again, he can only hit it right at the keeper.A minute later Christie forces Kovacevic into another save.

11 hours ago

SubBefore the goal Sarajevo made a change with captain Mersudin Ahmetovic making way for Haris Handžić, which is a like for like swap in attack. This comes as little surprise as the Sarajevo attack has been pretty anonymous the last ten minutes.

12 hours ago

GOAL FOR CELTIC!It’s a disastrous goal to lose for the hosts but Celtic won’t care. Christie’s shot from outside the area has a bit of power on it, though Kovacevic should have done better than to just palm it right into the path of Edouard who was following up to score from close range.

12 hours ago

68 – Chance!It’s another Celtic opportunity and it’s from another corner. This time it finds Elhamed alone about 12 yards from goal. The Israeli hits it first-time on the volley and is unlucky to see his effort fizz narrowly wide.

12 hours ago

Last five minutesCeltic are beginning to properly dominate again as Sarajevo are beginning to look quite tired in attack. It’s not been able to stick whatsoever the last five or so times they’ve tried to go forward.

12 hours ago

63 – OpportunityTaylor is found in acres of space down the left and tries to drill in a low cross for Edouard but the Frenchman is crowded out once more.A short time later Christie tries his luck from distance and isn’t too far away, shooting about a foot over the bar.

12 hours ago

58 – Chance for hostsA corner from the right finds Hrvoje Milicevic climbing highest. He doesn’t get enough solid contact on the ball with his head and ends up glancing it wide. It’s certainly been the best chance of the game so far for Sarajevo.

12 hours ago

55 – ShotElyounoyussi tries his luck from 20 yards after shimmying away from a couple of defenders but, again, it’s too near the goalkeeper.52 – ChanceProbably the best one for Celtic so far. Christie’s corner finds Ajer just on the edge of the six-yard box. He manages to evade his marker but tries to stab home his effort and can’t get his technique right at all as it essentially just deflects off him.

12 hours ago

5 minutes inThe game is much more stretched in these opening five minutes than it looked at the start of the first half, but again no real sights at goal. Sarajevo are threatening a little on the counter. Their quick front three works well against the Celtic back three, though there’s a lack of quality when they do get into away territory.

12 hours ago

Kick-offThe second half is underway.

12 hours ago

Half-timeCeltic have had plenty of the possession but they’ve had very few sights at goal. Sarajevo, meanwhile, have carried a bigger threat than Riga did last week. It isn’t as poor a performance from the away side, but they’ll be disappointed they haven’t been able to create much. They have been guilty of overplaying at times, but largely it’s been a solid defensive performance from the hosts.

12 hours ago

40 – ShotHa! How’s that for a commentator jinx? Celtic put together a strong move with Christie playing into Edouard’s feet and the Frenchman playing a first time flick for Elyounoussi. The on-loan Southampton attacker shoots first time, keeps it down and with decent power, but too close to Vladan Kovacevic who is able to gather.

12 hours ago

39 – ConcernNot a whole lot happening. Sarajevo have started knocking the ball about themselves a bit, again without too much penetration. While that’s a plus, the fact that Celtic have yet to have a clear sight at goal – with perhaps the exception of that Duffy header – is something that has to improve.

12 hours ago

33 – Celtic counterSpace opens up for the away side as Elyounoussi flicks on for Christie running through. The midfielder feeds Edouard who tries to beat his man on the left of the penalty box but the defender is equal to it and Sarajevo are able to regroup.

13 hours ago

31 – DangerTatar dances past Elhamed into the penalty area but finds his shot blocked by Duffy. A bit of a let off for Celtic there.

13 hours ago

27 – ShotScott Brown has a pop from distance. There’s plenty power on the effort and it appeared to be heading on target before it hit his own team-mate Elyounoussi and bounced away.

13 hours ago

26 – Back-heelEdouard, running the channel in the penalty box, almost pulls off a lovely back-heeled pass right into the path of Elhamed arriving but Sarajevo are able to snuff it out.

13 hours ago

23 – HeaderShane Duffy has an opportunity from a Ryan Christie free-kick after Jeremie Frimpong is fouled by Selmir Pidro. The defender gets its all wrong with the ball bouncing high and wide off his shoulder. He may not have known it but he should have let it fly behind him for Kristoffer Ajer who was in a much better position to score, running free at the back post.

13 hours ago

20 minutes goneSarajevo are starting to come out of their shell a little bit so there should be more space for Celtic to exploit. So far they’ve been frustrated by their hosts. Lennon’s side are playing with greater urgency than what was on display in the first half in Riga, but they’ve found their route to goal blocked on every occasion.

13 hours ago

13 – Home counterMatthias Fanimo leads a counter attack through the centre of the park. He feeds Bejamin Tatar on the left. The attacker only has a narrow angle to aim at but is able to win a corner, drawing a save from Celtic’s goalkeeper. The visitors are able to deal with the resulting set-piece.

13 hours ago

SubBitton could not continue and he’s been replaced by his countryman Hatem Elhamed.

13 hours ago

7 – Bitton downConcern for Celtic here as Nir Bitton is down with a foot injury. The Israel is receiving treatment.

4 – Handball claimSarajevo, as expected, look happy to sit in the low block as Celtic have been knocking the ball from side to side. The visitors wanted a free-kick on the edge of the box for what looked to be a handball but the referee was unmoved.

13 hours ago

Kick-offCeltic get the game underway.

13 hours ago

Celtic fans on starting XIWe’re ten minutes away from kick-off. Distract yourselves in the mean-time by reading how Celtic fans reacted to the team announcement.

14 hours ago

Celtic team newsBarkas; Bitton, Duffy, Ajer; Frimpong, McGregor, Brown, Christie, Taylor; Elyounoussi, Edouards.Subs: Bain, Jullien, Griffiths, Klimala, Turnbull, Ntcham, Elhamed.It’s the same team that defeated Hibs 3-0 on Sunday with the exception of Odsonne Edouard coming into the starting XI in the place of the injured Albian Ajeti. Celtic will line-up in the 3-5-2 with Mohamed Elyounoussi backing up the Frenchman in attack.

15 hours ago

Welcome!Celtic did not want to be competing for a place in Europe’s secondary competition when this season started, but being in the group stages of the Europa League is sure as hell preferred to not being in them, and Neil Lennon’s men will be desperate for another crack at a competition where they made a really good fist of the group stages last term before disappointing in the knockout stages.Stay with us for all the coverage. Team news coming up soon.

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