Barca Blaugranes - UEFA Champions League: FC Barcelona vs Celtic FC: Full Match Coverage#GraciesTitohttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47187/barca-fave.png2013-12-11T22:53:07+01:00http://www.barcablaugranes.com/rss/stream/49631752013-12-11T22:53:07+01:002013-12-11T22:53:07+01:00FC Barcelona 6-1 Celtic FC: Match Review
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<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
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<p>Recap of the action from Barcelona comfortable 6-1 victory over Celtic in the Champions League</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;" align="justify" lang="en-US">FC Barcelona thrashed Celtic FC in the last round of the Group Stages in the Champions League. In what was one of the best attacking performances by Barcelona since <span>Gerardo Martino</span> took charge, the Catalan club scored half a dozen goals against the Scottish side. Led by Neymar, who scored his first Barça hat-trick, Barcelona also got goals from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110855/gerard-pique">Gerard Pique</a>, Pedro and Cristian Tello. In the late stage of the game <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110330/georgios-samaras">Georgios Samaras</a> gave Celtic a consolidation goal.</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b><b>FC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a></b></b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b><b>Celtic FC<br></b></b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Possession</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>74%</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>26%</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Total Shots</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>20</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>6</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Shots on Target</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>9</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>4</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Pass Accuracy</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>93%</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>75%</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Fouls</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>11</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>8</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Offsides</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>3</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>3</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Yellow Cards</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>1</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>2</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Red Cards</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>0</b></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b>0</b></p>
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<p align="justify">Failing to earn a point against Ajax that would've secured Barcelona the first place in Group H with a game in hand, Gerardo Martino fielded a strong, experienced line-up with few surprises to face Celtic. While the forward three was as strong as Barcelona can currently field, <span>Sergi Roberto</span> got a surprise but deserving start alongside Xavi in the center of the midfield. Struggling center-back duo of Gerard Pique and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110053/javier-mascherano">Javier Mascherano</a> started in the heart of the defense, much to the dismay of Barcelona fans who were screaming for <span>Marc Bartra</span> who was left in the stands.</p>
<p align="justify">Barça started the game from midfield and didn't give up more than a deflection to Celtic until 100 seconds into the game. The early command of the ball gave Barcelona a quick chance to open the scoring, but Xavi's cross went just over Neymar's head. Soon after Barcelona went on a 3 on 2 counter attack, but Neymar's poor pass to Xavi went out of play.</p>
<p align="justify">The hosts continued to bring good numbers forward and Celtic struggled to contain Barcelona's attacks. Several of them ended with late blocks and chances looked good for Barcelona that at some point the block would be too late. Well, Barça didn't need to wait long for that to happen. In the 7th minute, after a Barcelona corner, Alexis Sanchez recovered the ball on the right side of the box and made a nice move to win space for a shot on goal. The shot was tipped on its way on goal which forced <span>Fraser Forster</span> to make a good save, but the rebound fell to Pique who roofed it to put the Catalans in the lead.</p>
<p align="justify">With the lead in hand Barcelona continued to exert pressure on Celtic's back four. Alexis and Neymar were especially active in the build-up, but both full-backs, <span>Martin Montoya</span> and <span>Adriano Correia</span>, were also very involved in Barça's attacks.</p>
<p align="justify">Celtic, meanwhile, struggled mightily to connect together more than three passes. Barça's pressing was noticeable all over the pitch and it caused numerous turnovers that led to several counter attacks.</p>
<p align="justify">Barcelona were just too much to handle for Celtic and considering the amount of chances in the opening half hour it was very surprising that Forster only conceded one goal. Neymar, Montoya, Alexis and Pique (again) all saw their chances go begging.</p>
<p align="justify">Jose Manuel Pinto got first involved in the game in the 32nd minute when he had to punch out a Celtic free kick. Coincidentally, that punch-out sprung a Barcelona counter, but Neymar was unable to find Pedro in the middle. On the next play Neymar exhibited some of the most impressive dribbling this season, but came across one defender too many and wasn't able to threaten Forster.</p>
<p align="justify">At that point the game opened up a bit and Celtic were presented with a couple scoring opportunities, but both Pique and Mascherano made good defensive plays to clear the danger.</p>
<p align="justify">But Barcelona weren't rattled by those chances and quickly went back to the attack, where they looked very comfortable. And five minute before the halftime whistle Pedro was able to double Barcelona's lead. Once again Pique was a key member in the goal as he won the ball in midfield and sprung Neymar behind the Celtic defensive line. Near the goal-line the Brazilian sent a hard, low cross to the middle where Pedro applied the finish.</p>
<p align="justify">However, that would not be the last goal by Barcelona in the first half. At the stroke of halftime Alexis brilliantly found the onrushing Montoya who squared it to Neymar who was left all alone in front of a wide open net. A simple tap in later Barcelona's lead was extended to three and Neymar had his first Champions League goal.</p>
<p align="justify">The halftime break brought one substitution on the Celtic side where Neil Lennon resorted to damage limitation, replacing striker, Teemu Pukki, with a defensively minded player, Charlie Mulgrew.</p>
<p align="justify">But that didn't seem to make any difference for Barcelona as just two and a half minutes after the restart Neymar added his second of the game. Neymar played a lovely one-two with Xavi just outside of the penalty box which gave the Brazilian enough room to fire on goal and further extend Barcelona's lead.</p>
<p align="justify">Though that didn't appear to satisfy the Catalan side as just three minutes later Neymar won a free kick 25 yards from the Celtic goal. Xavi steeped up to take it and put a good shot on goal, though slightly down the middle, but Forster was able to keep the ball from crossing the line for a fifth time.</p>
<p align="justify">Celtic seemed to play the second half completely without confidence and it showed in their defending as Barcelona found it increasingly easier to create chances. Add to that the sheer brilliance of Neymar and you have a <i>manita</i> in the 58th minute. Receiving the ball from Adriano on the left side of the penalty box, Neymar proceeded to make Efe Ambrose look like a fool and applied a good finish to complete the hat-trick (in 13 minutes) and the <i>manita</i>.</p>
<p align="justify">With the game all but decided Tata Martino went on to make his first substitution earlier than usually. Alexis, who had a good game even though statistically he didn't have much to show for, gave way to Tello, who made his first appearance since 10 November. Five minutes later Neymar had a one-on-one chance to add his fourth of the night, but after making his way past the keeper he ran into Pedro and neither was able to apply the finish.</p>
<p align="justify">Tata's first substitution appeared to be the right one as Tello also got in on the scoring in the 72nd minute. Adriano found Tello on the edge of the box from where the young winger fired on goal. The ball hit Virgil van Dijk along the way, changed direction and made its way into the unguarded part of the net.</p>
<p align="justify">Maybe feeling a bit left out, considering he wasn't involved in Barcelona's sixth goal, Neymar was a bit selfish two minutes later when he tried to do everything himself even though he had options on either side. The play he made to win space for the shot was brilliant though and had Forster not saved the shot it would've been one helluva goal.</p>
<p align="justify">With the remaining two substitutions Tata gave <span>Sergio Busquets</span> some much needed rest, he was replaced by <span>Alex Song</span>, and allowed Neymar to come off to a standing ovation by the crowd when he was replaced by Jean Marie Dongou.</p>
<p align="justify">In the dying stages of the game Celtic earned a couple scoring chances, one of them even resulted in a consolidation goal, scored by Georgios Samaras. Samaras made Barcelona pay with a header on a free kick taken from the right side. The Greek forward would have another chance in the very last seconds of the game, but Pique cleared the ball off the line.</p>
<p align="justify">Despite the breakdown in defense in the last five minutes of the game Barcelona played an excellent game and as a reward they finished the Group Stages of the Champions League in first place. That will, at least should, give the Catalans a less difficult opponent once the knockout stages begin.</p>
<p align="justify">But there will be no time for Barcelona to celebrate as they have another difficult game in the La Liga coming up. After the hiccup against Athletic Bilbao, Barça can't afford to drop points on Saturday when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.villarrealusa.com/">Villarreal</a> visits the Camp Nou. But if this game is any indication the Yellow Submarine could be in danger of heavy bombardment.</p>
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https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2013/12/11/5200818/uefa-champions-league-fc-barcelona-6-1-celtic-fc-match-reviewBostjan Cernensek2013-12-11T19:58:00+01:002013-12-11T19:58:00+01:00FC Barcelona vs Celtic FC: Live Game Thread
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<figcaption>Jeff J Mitchell</figcaption>
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<p>Live game thread for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage game between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC</p> <p align="center">UEFA Champions League: Group Stage Round 6<br>Kickoff: Wednesday, 11 December 2013; 20:45 CET<br>Camp Nou, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a><br>Referee: Sergei Karasev</p>
<p align="justify">Line-ups:</p>
<p align="justify">FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Jose Manuel Pinto; <span>Martin Montoya</span>, Gerard Piqué, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110053/javier-mascherano">Javier Mascherano</a>, <span>Adriano Correia</span>; <span>Sergio Busquets</span>, Xavi, <span>Sergi Roberto</span>; Pedro, Neymar, Alexis Sanchez</p>
<p align="justify">Substitutes: Oier Olazabal, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110856/carles-puyol">Carles Puyol</a>, <span>Jordi Alba</span>, <span>Alex Song</span>, Andres Iniesta, <span>Cristian Tello</span>, Jean Marie Dongou</p>
<p align="justify">Celtic FC (4-2-3-1): <span>Fraser Forster</span>; Mikael Lustig, Efe Ambrose, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Ledley; Nir Biton, Scott Brown; Adam Matthews, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110330/georgios-samaras">Georgios Samaras</a>, Derk Boerrigter; Teemu Pukki</p>
<p align="justify">Substitutes: Łukasz Załuska, Charlie Mulgrew, Darnell Fisher, Kris Commons, Anthony Stokes, Amido Baldé, Bahrudin Atajić</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2013/12/11/5199542/uefa-champions-league-fc-barcelona-vs-celtic-fc-live-game-threadBostjan Cernensek2013-12-11T08:58:50+01:002013-12-11T08:58:50+01:00Predict the Score: Barcelona vs Celtic
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<p>A chance to predict the score of tonight's match between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC at the Camp Nou</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span>FC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> will be fully expecting a win from tonight's UEFA Champions League group stage clash with Celtic FC at the Camp Nou, as they hope to guarantee themselves seeded status in the upcoming draw for the Round of 16 by topping Group H. After five matches, Barça have earned 10 points and assuming AC Milan defeat AFC Ajax, the Blaugrana will need a victory tonight to secure first place.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span>Following an easy 4-1 win in the Copa del Rey against FC Cartagena, <span>Gerardo Martino</span> has kept his cards close to his chest; while he has named a strong squad, it's still possible that we may see a fringe squad take to the field. Or perhaps the Argentine tactician will play it safe and opt for the regulars? It's a luxury to be able to have that choice, especially given the number of players sidelined through injury.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span>From Lionel Messi to Victor Valdes via <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110480/ibrahim-afellay">Ibrahim Afellay</a> and Jonathan dos Santos, Barcelona are missing a total of seven first team players for this fixture and with an important La Liga clash with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.villarrealusa.com/">Villarreal</a> in the immediate future, Culés are split as to whether Martino should take this game seriously or not. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span>But let's not underestimate the threat that Celtic possess, there may not an awful lot riding on this match, but much the same can be said of the weekend's match with Villarreal -- contrary to popular belief, the title is neither won nor lost in December. So let's secure top spot and move on from there.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span>Predict the score of tonight's match between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC by commenting with your prediction below. Best of luck! </span></p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2013/12/11/5199136/uefa-champions-league-fc-barcelona-vs-celtic-fc-predict-the-scoreArron Duckling2013-12-10T23:00:21+01:002013-12-10T23:00:21+01:00UCL: Barcelona vs Celtic: Match Preview
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<p>A preview of Barcelona's final UEFA Champions League group stage fixture, as they prepare to host Celtic FC at the Camp Nou</p> <p style="text-align: justify; " class="MsoNormal">FC Barcelona will be looking to end the UEFA Champions League group stage in style tomorrow by securing a win in their final fixture against Celtic FC. Thanks to the result of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona's</a> previous group stage fixture, the Scottish champions are now guaranteed to finish rooted to the bottom of Group H, but that doesn't mean that they won't be playing for pride at the Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Barcelona on the other hand actually still need to secure a result if they are to guarantee top spot -- crucial if <span>Gerardo Martino</span> wishes to avoid <span>Pep Guardiola</span> and Bayern Munich in the Round of 16. With that in mind, the Argentine tactician has named a strong 20-man squad for tomorrow's clash -- will this be enough to see off the challenge of what's likely to be a resolute Celtic defense?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After all, while <span>Cristian Tello</span>, Andres Iniesta and Xavi all return to the fold after recovering from their respective injuries, the Blaugrana will still be without top-scorer <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110061/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> and important full-back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110098/dani-alves">Dani Alves</a>, both of whom add another dimension to the Barça attack. Messi's usual substitute <span>Cesc Fabregas</span> also misses out through suspension, leaving Martino somewhat short of options in the centre of attack -- does he throw Jean-Marie Dongou in at the deep end, or does he place his faith in the somewhat misfiring Neymar?</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">TEAM NEWS</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Victor Valdes remains sidelined through injury, although in truth, it's unlikely that he would have featured in this match anyway. With progression secured, Jose Manuel Pinto would have, and indeed will start in goal tomorrow -- undoubtedly aiming to keep his second clean sheet of the campaign.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Of course, he cannot do it alone; will he get much support from the Barcelona defense? Usually I would predict a rotated backline, but after resting the regulars against Cartagena, Martino may be leaning towards starting the likes of Gerard Piqué and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110053/javier-mascherano">Javier Mascherano</a> tomorrow. If that's the case, I wouldn't expect to see <span>Jordi Alba</span> in anything other than a second half cameo -- instead <span>Martin Montoya</span> and <span>Adriano Correia</span> will likely start on either side of defense.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span>Sergio Busquets</span> is odds-on to continue at pivote, although may be rested in favour of <span>Alex Song</span> while Barcelona's midfield is a little tougher to predict given recent developments. Both Xavi and Andres Iniesta are only just returning from injury -- so logic hints that only one will get the nod tomorrow. But with Fabregas injured, that leaves us with just <span>Sergi Roberto</span> and, if he isn't required at pivote, Alex Song. We would all love to see the former given another start, but it seems unlikely based on the season so far. The less said about the latter, the better. With all this in mind, I expect to see either Busquets alongside Iniesta and Roberto, or Song alongside Iniesta and Xavi.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Moving onto the Barça attack, Martino today admitted that Neymar is the most logical option for the currently vacant false nine berth, but since when did football and logic go hand in hand? It'd be great to see, but I'd be just as happy to see either Alexis Sanchez or Jean-Marie Dongou occupy that position. Cristian Tello will probably have to settle for a place on the bench in his return, leaving Alexis, Neymar and Pedro to lead the frontline.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">CELTIC</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Captain Scott Brown is likely to return to the fold after serving the final match of his three-game suspension against AC Milan in the previous matchday – where Neil Lennon’s side capitulated against the Rossoneri to end their European campaign. Aside from that, little is known about Lennon’s likely selection – although we can probably assume a similar line-up to the last time these two sides met.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">FORM GUIDE</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Barcelona: WWWLLW</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Celtic: LWWLWW</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">LAST MEETING</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Celtic FC 0-1 FC Barcelona -- 1st October 2013 -- UEFA Champions League</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">A late second-half header from Cesc Fabregas was enough to secure the three points for the Blaugrana after the hosts were reduced to 10 men following Scott Brown's ludicrous kick on Neymar.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">LIKELY LINE-UPS</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Barcelona (4-3-3): Pinto; Montoya, Pique, Mascherano, Adriano; Song, Xavi, Iniesta; Alexis, Neymar, Pedro</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Celtic (4-2-3-1): Forster; Lustig, Ambrose, van Dijk; Mulgrew; Brown, Kayal; Commons, Stokes, Izaguirre; Samaras</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">MATCH PREDICTION</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Barcelona may not be in the greatest form, but will enough to see off the threat of this relatively tame Celtic outfit. I'm going for a 2-1 home win.</p>
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https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2013/12/10/5197662/uefa-champions-league-fc-barcelona-vs-celtic-fc-match-previewArron Duckling