Match Pictures | Matches: 2020 – 2021
Trivia
- UEFA Cup / Europa League – Group H Game 1; 8pm kickoff
- Celtic & Sevco qualified for the group stages.
- No crowds.
- No Edouard (injury) but Christie returns after Covid restrictions lifted on him.
- Shambles from Celtic.
- Laxalt (on loan) v his parent club, and ironically this “AC Milan player” is the best player on the field for Celtic on the day.
- Tensions rise over Lennon in the job. Tactics are heavily criticised, especially three at the back formation.
- AC Milan are actually a good side, only conceded in Serie A once so far this season, and Celtic scored one today.
- Covid:
- Restrictions increase across parts of the UK but also across places across the globe.
- Before the game: “One player who has particularly impressed me is the midfielder Callum McGregor. He is a classic modern, dynamic midfielder and excellent technique. He is EVERYTHING you need.” Stefan Piloi (AC Milan manager)
- Ryan Christie questioned Scottish football’s coronavirus isolation rules as he revealed he had tested negative six times since being identified as a close contact of Stuart Armstrong following the Southampton midfielder’s positive Covid-19 test
- 26 Oct 2020: Two AC Milan players – Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jens Petter Hauge – who played against Celtic on Thursday have tested positive for Covid-19. Goalkeeper Donnarumma played the full 90 minutes at Celtic Park while substitute winger Hauge secured the 3-1 Europa League win with a late goal. The Italian club say three other members of their staff have also gone into isolation after positive tests.
Summary
(The Scotsman): Celtic manager Neil Lennon has insisted that the Bhoys ‘will be fine’ once they have all players available. The Hoops boss praised his side’s second-half effort against AC Milan
“Celtic is one of the great atmospheres and great stadiums of Europe. Zlatan deserves to play in front of the Celtic fans and the Celtic fans deserve to be able to see Zlatan play live.” Zlatan Ibrahimovic
(ElSalto of KDS)
People seem to be convincing themselves that we weren’t all that bad after all and that we were unlucky not to take a point.
While it’s true we did play better for a very short period in the second half, you’ve got to factor in that Milan had a rest at 60 minutes, they knew the game was won.
The ease with which they scored against our defence was alarming, and while others may see positives in last nights performance, I don’t.
As someone pointed out already, we beat Lazio home and away last season, and they are a very decent outfit, on a par with Milan perhaps, it’s just that our team have regressed at a worrying rate since the start of the season.
Fitness levels are piss poor, tactically we don’t know what we’re doing, and sadly, many players look as if they no longer give a feck.
In a way they are fortunate that the las two games in particular were behind closed doors, because the atmosphere would have been toxic if they had served those last two performances in front of 60,000 disgruntled fans.
(StAnts on Twitter)
Celtic have good players to come back – Eddy, Forrest, Elhammed, Jullien, Biton, Johnston. Win 2 games and we will have achieved 4 consecutive trebles. That’s a record well worth having. Also, no one has ever won 4 consecutive Scottish Cups. Lot to play for.
(@ETimsNet)
FT Celtic 1 Milan 3 3-5-2 dire first half. All over the shop. 4-2-3-1 at HT. Players far more comfortable in shape. Knew what they were doing. Injury time goal flattered Milan. Lots to build on last 30. Don’t chg it Lenny & co!
Thought Ajer and Diego were our best players. Christie did well when he came on at HT. Big Tam (God bless him) did well as space opened last 30. Team so much better in a back four. Mod shape better. Players all played better with a shape they are more comfortable with.
Once Eddie and Jullien fully fit then the option of 3-5-2 is absolutely on but we (Lenny and co) need to adapt with players currently available. There were so many positives in the second half that we should build on that. So many good players. Only small tweaks required.
Teams
Celtic:
1Barkas
57Welsh Substituted forElyounoussiat 45’minutes
4Duffy
35Ajer
30Frimpong
21Ntcham
8Brown Substituted forRogicat 64’minutes
42McGregor
93LaxaltBooked at 65mins
Substituted forTaylorat 77’minutes
10Ajeti Substituted forKlimalaat 77’minutes
9Griffiths Substituted forChristieat 45’minutesBooked at 86mins
Substitutes
3Taylor
11Klimala
12Soro
14Turnbull
17Christie
18Rogic
27Elyounoussi
29Bain
52Henderson
65Hazard
77Dembele
Goals:
Elyounoussi (76′ minutes)
Assists:
Christie (76′ minutes)
AC Milan
99DonnarummaBooked at 83mins
5Dalot
24Kjaer
13Romagnoli
19Hernández
8TonaliBooked at 82mins
79Kessié Substituted forBennacerat 66’minutes
7Castillejo Azuaga Substituted forSaelemaekersat 79’minutesBooked at 88mins
33Krunic
21Díaz Substituted forHaugeat 80’minutes
11Ibrahimovic Substituted forda Conceição Leãoat 66’minutes
Substitutes
1Tatarusanu
2Calabria
4Bennacer
14Conti
15Hauge
17da Conceição Leão
20Kalulu Kyatengwa
27Maldini
29Colombo
56Saelemaekers
90Donnarumma
Goals:
- Krunic (14′ minutes),
- Díaz (42′ minutes),
- Hauge (90’+2 minutes)
Assists:
- Castillejo Azuaga (14′ minutes),
- Hernández (42′ minutes),
- Saelemaekers (90’+2 minutes)
Referee:
Matej Jug
Att: none (covid)
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
- Prior https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/celtic-vs-ac-milan-prematch-22-10-bt-sport-3-8pm-n-t137492.html
- Match https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/celtic-v-ac-milan-live-match-thread-ft-1-3-elyouno-t137505.html
- Post https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/celtic-v-ac-milan-post-match-thread-1-3-elyounouss-t137507.html
- MoTM https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/motm-celtic-v-milan-1-3-t137508.html
Stats
Home TeamCelticAway TeamAC Milan
Possession
Home46%
Away54%
Shots
Home13
Away6
Shots on Target
Home2
Away3
Corners
Home3
Away0
Fouls
Home16
Away17
Articles
Celtic’s change of shape falls just short against Milan – but it’s way forward
Celtic may have fallen short of a dramatic comeback against Milan last night.
By Andrew Smith
Thursday, 22nd October 2020, 10:07 pm
Ultimately Mohamed Elyounoussi’s 76th minute glancing header from a Ryan Christie corner was incidental with an added time strike from Jens Petter Hauge condemning them to a 3-1 defeat. Yet, their second-half display as they attempted to recover a two-goal deficit – save for the Norwegian sub squeezing the ball in as Shane Duffy and Vasilis Barkas became entangled – may have borne witness one telling comeback. Celtic turned the flow of this tie because Neil Lennon turned away from 3-5-2 and reverted to 4-2-3-1.
Maybe it is too simplistic to see the complete turnaround in the encounter as a change of shape, which meant Leigh Griffiths giving way for Elyounoussi and Ryan Christie coming on for Stephen Welsh. Yet it is undeniable that the home side did not look so soft-centred across the second 45 minutes – their undoing in the first period. Lennon certainly could not be accused of letting a desperate situation drift. As he was in Saturday’s derby defeat. He also withdrew his captain Scott Brown after the hour. Just about the time that a seemingly sitting pretty Milan hauled off a completely anonymous Zlatan Ibrahimovic. For the closing stages, Celtic forced Milan to defend their box. They were able to do that in a manner their opponents could not in a curious first period.
Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports
A first start for Griffiths in seven months, and a first partnership with Albian Ajeti from the opening whistle, was a sign that Lennon would look for more upfront that was produced against Rangers. True of Celtic in all departments after Lennon conceded his team were too “passive”. Exhibiting bite and drive from the off, it was patent that they were seeking to atone for the anodyne nature of their derby loss.
Within five minutes they contrived what had eluded them for 90 minutes at the weekend: a shot on target. An Ajeti snapshot from the edge of the area was blocked by Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli – amid handball claims – before an Olivier Ntcham drive was comfortably held by keeper Gianlugi Donnarumma. The bright start was undone by the vulnerability that Celtic seem to be developing to balls hoisted into the box. From a similar position on the left Rangers free-kick for their first goal was delivered, Samuel Castillejo launched a cross that Rade Krunic got between Duffy and Welsh to head wide of Barkas.
Celtic’s confidence then began to fray, and as Milan grew into the encounter they started to put themselves under pressure was misplaced passes. They lived dangerously before Milan’s killer second just before the interval. A move that broke down left Celtic’s stretched as Theo Hernandez powered down the left before cutting a ball inside that found Brahim Diaz able to sidestep Duffy and Callum McGregor before drilling in. The avoidance of a pasting from then will offer a certain relief.
Celtic: Barkas; Frimpong, Welsh (Elyounoussi 46), Duffy, Ajer, Laxalt (Taylor 77); Ntcham, Brown (Rogic 64), McGregor; Ajeti (Klimala 77), Griffiths (Christie 46).
AC Milan: Donnarumma; Dalot, Romagnoli, Kjaer, Theo Hernandez; Krunic, Tonali, Kessie (Bennacer 66); Castillejo (Saelemaekers 79), Ibrahimovic (Leao 66), Brahim Diaz (Hauge 79).
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his great Celtic Park regret
Even the AC Milan legend who says it was a “bad idea” for Covid-19 to face him down won’t be able to face crowd in long-desired return to Glasgow’s east end
By Andrew Smith
Friday, 2nd October 2020, 11:28 pm
There is much to get the juices flowing in the ties Celtic have been handed in the Europa League.
AC Milan are one of the grandees of the game. Lille are currently purring along in France, sitting second to a Rennes side two points better off. Meanwhile, Sparta Prague are tearing up their league, with the Czech team boasting full points from five games that have yielded 18 goals. There was, however, only one headline act. When Zlatan Ibrahimovic is involved, he is always the headline act.
Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports
The Swedish phenomenon, a brash, singular showman as well as a stupendous striker, has the opportunity to bookend a remarkable career courtesy of his Milanese side’s Group H commitments. At the age of 19, and then a wunderkind for Ajax, he played 25 minutes at Celtic Park as the Dutch side lost out to Martin O’Neill’s team for a Champions League place in August 2001.
The experience never left him, and down the years he was often linked with the Celtic of his idol Henrik Larsson as a result of his desire to return to the east end of Glasgow. “I have played in the biggest games of world football,” said the man with an outrageous CV in having claimed honours with Barcelona, Manchester United, Juventus, Milan, Inter, Paris-Saint Germain and Ajax. “But I have never experienced an atmosphere like I did at Celtic Park.”
As he celebrates his 39th birthday, he has no prospect of sampling such an ambience in the October 22 group stage opener. The restrictions on spectators necessitated by the global pandemic ensure that. Even if the 116-times capped Swede – who has 488 goals at club level and has netted 14 times in 22 games since returning to AC Milan from LA Galaxay last December – claims he has conquered that too after testing positive for Covid-19 last week. “Covid had the courage to challenge me. Bad idea,” he said in typically egocentric fashion on twitter.
The gloom among the Celtic support over the exacting nature of their latest Europa League group has many feeling the bad idea would be their team putting everything into challenging for the top two places when the real target this season is a record-breaking 10th straight championship.
Manager Neil Lennon doesn’t think continental aspirations need interfere with domestic duties they dare not falter in. Even when this week shows how difficult that juggling act can be. Following their 1-0 play-off win over FK Sarajevo, Celtic only touched down from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday afternoon – around 40 hours before they will be in action at noon away to St Johnstone.
“We had it last season and it didn’t affect us,” Lennon said, referring to Celtic retaining pole position in the Premiership as they claimed top spot in a Europa League section containing Lazio and Rennes. “We want European football and I think they both complement each other. I think it makes us better. It’s going to be Thursday-Sunday games. But that’s what we want. The players want it and I know the fans want it as well.”
BBC
By Scott MullenBBC Sport Scotland
Last updated on
5 minutes ago5 minutes ago.From the section Europa League
Mohamed Elyounoussi
Mohamed Elyounoussi (left) nodded in Celtic’s goal that threatened to spark a revival
Neil Lennon was “encouraged” despite his Celtic side being overcome by Serie A leaders AC Milan in their Europa League group stage opener in Glasgow.
The hosts started brightly after Saturday’s abject Old Firm defeat, but were chastened by easy scores for Rade Krunic and Brahim Diaz.
Lennon’s men rallied after two half-time changes, with substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi’s header giving the Scottish champions hope before Jens Petter Hauge nipped in late on to secure the win for the Rossoneri.
“It was markedly better than the weekend. It was encouraging,” said the Celtic manager. “I don’t like losing but there were a lot of good signs for me.
“I wanted an improvement and we got a big improvement. Part of me is quite pleased with that.
“We could have shied away from it all after the criticism we have taken and I have taken but they showed their personality in the second half.”
Podcast: Reaction to Celtic’s defeat
Reaction & as it happened
The alarm bells were ringing for Celtic fans after the weekend loss, a game in which they failed to register a shot on target. With that in mind, breaching a Serie A defence looked a tough ask.
While Patryk Klimala was trusted at the weekend, Lennon called upon Albian Ajeti and Leigh Griffiths in attack here, but neither was afforded the service to make an impact during a glum first half.
Too often good positions were not capitalised upon, with Milan showing Celtic how it is done at the other end.
Samu Castillejo was given time to float in a teasing cross that Shane Duffy got caught under. Young defender Stephen Welsh was not close enough to Krunic, and the Bosnian glanced in the opener after 14 minutes.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s European debut came 19 years ago against Celtic for Ajax, but the Sweden legend had to settle for a role in the build-up to a flowing second.
He started the move as Milan swarmed towards a retreating Celtic defence and the ball was fed to Diaz. Duffy did not get close enough as Callum McGregor attempted to help, but the Spaniard’s cool finish bypassed them both to make it two.
The Italians were cruising and Celtic needed a response. Lennon managed to conjure it with Ryan Christie and Elyounoussi coming off the bench at the break. Their spark, coupled with a switch to four at the back later in the half, changed this game as Milan began to creak.
The impressive Diego Laxalt volleyed just over in a warning shot, before Elyounoussi’s short run and header from a Christie corner stirred hopes of a comeback. One can only imagine the response if Celtic Park was not lying empty.
With just over 10 minutes to play, Milan quivered and retreated. Celtic probed and pushed, but could not find a leveller their second-half display may just about have deserved.
Instead, Hauge’s injury-time goal on the breakaway was a harsh blow as Celtic’s group campaign commenced with a defeat.
Man of the match – Diego Laxalt
Diego Laxalt
Milan strolled through the first half of this match before being pinned back late on, but the man on loan from the San Siro club was consistently Celtic’s brightest spark against his parent club
What did we learn?
That Celtic have a squad capable of changing games. They were far from their best in the first half but seemed revitalised the more the game wore on.
So much of that will come down to the injection of creativity added by Christie. Olivier Ntcham also responded well with the introduction of Tom Rogic and Elyounoussi.
However, there still remains causes for concern. In the first period, Celtic often looked shaky, and the continued absence of Odsonne Edouard – who is still recovering from Covid-19 – there is no ready-made replacement Lennon can rely on.
Match stats
Celtic have lost each of their last four games against AC Milan, three times in the Champions League before this defeat.
AC Milan’s last two shots in this match were their second and third goals, which were in the 42nd and 92nd minute respectively.
Elyounoussi has been directly involved in seven goals in 10 Europa League group stage appearances (five goals, two assists).
Krunic scored his first goal for AC Milan in his 25th appearance for the club. He also became the first Bosnian player to score a European goal for Milan.
Ibrahimovic (39y 19d) became the oldest outfield player to start a European match for AC Milan since Paolo Maldini (40y 245d) in February 2009 against Werder Bremen.
What’s next?
Celtic will attempt to get back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership, but face a tricky visit to Aberdeen (12:00 GMT). A trip to Lille next Thursday provides the next Europa League test.
Post update
Match ends, Celtic 1, Milan 3.
90’+4′
Full Time
Second Half ends, Celtic 1, Milan 3.
90’+2′
Goal!
Goal! Celtic 1, Milan 3. Jens Petter Hauge (Milan) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Alexis Saelemaekers.
90’+1′
Post update
Attempt missed. Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
89′
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Diogo Dalot (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89′
Post update
Foul by Shane Duffy (Celtic).
88′
Booking
Alexis Saelemaekers (Milan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
88′
Post update
Foul by Alexis Saelemaekers (Milan).
88′
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Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
87′
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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alessio Romagnoli.
86′
Booking
Ryan Christie (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
86′
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Sandro Tonali (Milan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
86′
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Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
83′
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Rafael Leão (Milan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
83′
Post update
Foul by Shane Duffy (Celtic).
83′
Booking
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan) is shown the yellow card.
82′
Post update
Attempt missed. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
82′
Booking
Sandro Tonali (Milan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
82′
Post update
Foul by Sandro Tonali (Milan).
82′
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Patryk Klimala (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
81′
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Foul by Jens Petter Hauge (Milan).
81′
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Shane Duffy (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
80′
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Foul by Jens Petter Hauge (Milan).
80′
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Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
80′
Substitution
Substitution, Milan. Jens Petter Hauge replaces Brahim Díaz.
79′
Substitution
Substitution, Milan. Alexis Saelemaekers replaces Samu Castillejo.
79′
Post update
Hand ball by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
77′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Greg Taylor replaces Diego Laxalt.
77′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Patryk Klimala replaces Albian Ajeti.
76′
Goal!
Goal! Celtic 1, Milan 2. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross following a corner.
76′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alessio Romagnoli.
76′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Albian Ajeti.
74′
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Foul by Simon Kjaer (Milan).
74′
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Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
70′
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Brahim Díaz (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
70′
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Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
69′
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Attempt missed. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
68′
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Foul by Diogo Dalot (Milan).
68′
Post update
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
66′
Substitution
Substitution, Milan. Ismael Bennacer replaces Franck Kessié.
66′
Substitution
Substitution, Milan. Rafael Leão replaces Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
65′
Booking
Diego Laxalt (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
65′
Post update
Samu Castillejo (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
65′
Post update
Foul by Diego Laxalt (Celtic).
65′
Post update
Attempt missed. Shane Duffy (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mohamed Elyounoussi with a cross.
64′
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Olivier Ntcham following a set piece situation.
64′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces Scott Brown.
63′
Post update
Foul by Rade Krunic (Milan).
63′
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Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
63′
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Theo Hernández (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
63′
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Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
59′
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Simon Kjaer (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
59′
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Foul by Diego Laxalt (Celtic).
56′
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Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.
51′
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Attempt missed. Diego Laxalt (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Mohamed Elyounoussi.
50′
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Foul by Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Milan).
50′
Post update
Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Second Half
Second Half begins Celtic 0, Milan 2.
45′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Ryan Christie replaces Leigh Griffiths.
45′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Mohamed Elyounoussi replaces Stephen Welsh.
45’+1′
Half Time
First Half ends, Celtic 0, Milan 2.
44′
Post update
Foul by Simon Kjaer (Milan).
44′
Post update
Albian Ajeti (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
42′
Goal!
Goal! Celtic 0, Milan 2. Brahim Díaz (Milan) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Theo Hernández.
39′
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Rade Krunic (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
39′
Post update
Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
37′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Theo Hernández (Milan) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
36′
Post update
Rade Krunic (Milan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
36′
Post update
Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).
35′
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Samu Castillejo (Milan) wins a free kick on the right wing.
35′
Post update
Foul by Diego Laxalt (Celtic).
34′
Post update
Foul by Diogo Dalot (Milan).
34′
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Diego Laxalt (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Olivier Ntcham.
28′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Sandro Tonali (Milan) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
28′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Simon Kjaer (Milan) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Samu Castillejo with a cross.
27′
Post update
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Milan) wins a free kick on the right wing.
27′
Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
26′
Post update
Foul by Simon Kjaer (Milan).
26′
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Albian Ajeti (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
20′
Post update
Theo Hernández (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
20′
Post update
Foul by Albian Ajeti (Celtic).
19′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
18′
Post update
Foul by Theo Hernández (Milan).
18′
Post update
Albian Ajeti (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
17′
Post update
Foul by Samu Castillejo (Milan).
17′
Post update
Diego Laxalt (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
17′
Post update
Foul by Samu Castillejo (Milan).
17′
Post update
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
15′
Post update
Foul by Theo Hernández (Milan).
15′
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Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
14′
Goal!
Goal! Celtic 0, Milan 1. Rade Krunic (Milan) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Samu Castillejo with a cross.
11′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Albian Ajeti tries a through ball, but Leigh Griffiths is caught offside.
9′
Post update
Sandro Tonali (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
9′
Post update
Foul by Albian Ajeti (Celtic).
9′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Albian Ajeti (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Diego Laxalt.
7′
Post update
Foul by Franck Kessié (Milan).
7′
Post update
Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
6′
Post update
Brahim Díaz (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
6′
Post update
Foul by Stephen Welsh (Celtic).
5′
Post update
Attempt saved. Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
5′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Albian Ajeti (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kristoffer Ajer.
4′
Post update
Foul by Alessio Romagnoli (Milan).
4′
Post update
Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
3′
Post update
Theo Hernández (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
3′
Post update
Foul by Olivier Ntcham (Celtic).
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Posted at 19:49 22 Oct19:49 22 Oct
Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
andman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v AC/DC
By Editor 23 October, 2020 No Comments
SANDMAN’S DEFINITIVE RATINGS: CELTIC v AC/DC
“AC/DC could be regarded as one of history’s great rock bands, but they’ve got a weirdo zombie as lead guitarist who dresses like a Michael Jackson wet dream, so, naw…”
Scotland’s Rolling Stane magazine.
Embed from Getty Images
B.A BARKAS – 6/10
Well, he’s rocking with punches thrown and must wonder why the only thing he gets to do in games is pick the ball out of our net. Three times. Not a save to make around them. Bizarre. Saturday it was two. It’s all Greek to him.
WELSH – 4/10
A lesson learned? You better be at it smartish against the top boys or one will sneak beyond you to guide in a header and spoil your big night. Every second, and every step ahead, counts, kid.
Embed from Getty Images
ALAN LADD – 3/10
He wouldn’t get his ranch cook to go wrangle a steer, so why do we have a guy who couldn’t get a game for Brighton marshalling our backline against Zlatan and co? Like Chef Cockeye Coyote, the big guy’s out of his depth. Against competent sides his lack of spacial awareness shows, costing us twice last night as players ghosted in around him. Many might pin their opener on him getting caught under the ball but it was a
peach of a clip in. Hurry up and mince back, Jullien Clary.
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AJER – 7/10 MOTM
A defender not found wanting against quality. Bust a gut and found time to add his SPL forward surges. His alertness held us firm as we faced a pumping – nicked the ball off Zlatan’s toe at a crucial moment. Fought his space, did his best to urge the collective to higher levels, not to wilt; a captain’s performance in the face of defeat.
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LAXALTIVE – 6/10
Strarted in top gear but seemed to shade off in confidence as we struggled for meaningful impact. Willingness to run at opposition inside and out and always look for an early cross is a bonus. Ideal guy to have dragging them wide for the last fifteen as we sought a dramatic comeback. Oh, no, that’s right – he was subbed at the very start of it…
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PINGPONG – 5.5/10
The wee mhan’s got it all – pace and Pokemon power, and… NO final ball at all. At least twice he was in a position to kill them with a composed delivery and fluffed his lines. He caused problems and kept at them, and his five-yard burst can be a match winner but… We need to keep him behind after school and work on tuning the last cylinder in the V8.
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BROON – 5/10
Another unusual match for the skipper as he picked us up from dead in his customary inviolate manner, refusing to be swamped by swarthy Milanese and getting the Celts’ heads up. But then he drifted, slack passing, not crunching into tackles…Subbed at a crucial point in proceedings; normally the last man you pluck from the fire; we hope it was a fitness issue, saved for Sunday with the game seemingly gone.
CALMAC – 5.5/10
So disappointing to see the metronome not quite tuned. There was space for him between their back lines and with Sam Jackson actually turning up, it was set for Calmac to wreak havoc. But his deftness deserted him in the frenzied seconds around their box when openings can be leveraged. His touch was only slightly out, but in these
contests it can be the difference.
SAM JACKSON – 6.5/10
Surprised, Muthutuckas? Muthutucka wore a permanent expression of bewilderment since he saw the daym teamsheet. But last night he fancied turning up at the shindig and laying down some law. The flicks and
sprightliness lifted our tempo, the repertoire of long-ball switches opened space, and if he could have topped it off with a late strike on target we might have been lauding MOTM in a glorious comeback.
It’s muthutuckin’ evident this Muthutucka turns up for the big Euro games; can we turn his muthutuckin’ head for the domestic stuff with a Royale With Cheese or two? We might get consistent muthutuckin’ rhythm in the midfield. Or maybe it’s too daym muthutuckin’ late for that hope…
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GRIFF – 4/10
Spent 45 minutes in a dogging session… I’m here all week. Worn out chasing shadows by half-time and surprisingly replaced before he really had a chance to impact. or to receive any decent service. Hmm.
THE YETI – 5/10
A similar Griff tale, but with a more harrowing finale. Put himself about, made a couple of openings but neither of the starting front two were receiving any kind of support as any exciting forward play petered out at the vinegar strokes. Of course, The Yeti, with his late goalscoring record for Celtic was exactly the man we needed in the box mixing it up as we sought a late climactic equaliser… Oh, that’s right – he was flaming subbed just as they were given pause for thought. And didn’t he look impressed…Way to improve confidence, Lennony…
SUBS:
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CHRISTIE – 6/10
Corpus gave us some spark, getting on the ball and spinning in and out their defensive block; just didn’t get everything quite up to speed, like his shooting or his deliveries – great one for the goal, terrible let downs for late free-kicks and corner when we looked for a Jullien/Lazio moment.
ROGIC – 5.5/10
Not the typre of player you hope for much as a late sub but Big Oz is showing more signs of a return to destructive beauty with another cameo involving cute beguiling touches and creative enterprise. Keep goin’,
cobber, as they say in Australian stereotype prose.
ELSHAGYONLASSIE – 6.5/10
Another for the glamour games – swooshed on in a surprise half-time exchange and swooshed about to effect. Scored a header! Well, he shut his eyes as he ran at the ball and it kind of smashed off his face but it looked good. Scooped a couple of real good chances over the bar but at least he was involved and keen; he appeared so on Saturday as well; do we yet have hope this luxury will become an essential as we dig deep to carve out some history this season?
KLIMALA KLIMAX – N/A
Go on, son – get on there and give us a right Klimax. In Color. Just get in and around them and link up with The Yeti and give them a headache for the last fifteen… Oh, no, that’s right – you were chucked in alone. And the Milan defence, they did sigh with a little relief, and they did eat him up like all good Italian-drilled defences do….
GREGGS THE BAKER – N/A
Benched to keep him fresh for the nightshift and get those rolls just right – little burn on top to compliment the breakfast fried eggs. So it was a late introduction just as we got a goal back. Presumably to shore up the 1-2…
And he failed…
LENNONY – 5/10
Okay, changes have been called for earlier when we’re toiling. So half-time it was, and the two subs came on to stir things up. Check.
His alteration looked positive and produced results – more openings and a goal back. Check.
And then he killed momentum stone dead by roping in our adventurous left-sided wingback and angriest striker, by the look of The Yeti as he growled off the park. Not as growly as me watching that change.
…