Despite drinking more than I should last night, I woke up early this morning feeling fresh and energetic. Last night’s scintillating exhibition of football was still buzzing around in my head. Ninety minutes of fast flowing football in front of a packed house of what surely must be the best most passionate fans in Europe, is just about the best advert for the game that you could find.
Barça fans have plenty of reasons to feel proud and optimistic today. For the first time this season all the key players are fit at the same time, the team played with a hunger and desire that has been missing all too often in the last year. Messi found the net again for the first time since November and looked to be back to his sparkling best, Deco gave a performance in midfield that was reminiscent of his first two seasons at Camp Nou, while Thierry Henry scored his best goal since signing for Barça and with a bit more luck could have had a hat-trick. But perhaps the best news for Barça was seeing Ronaldinho leading the team again; it was not just the flicks and passes that impressed, but also his work-rate and ability to win the ball back on several occasions which resulted in him setting up Henry for the second goal.
There was talk before the match about switching to a 4-4-2 formation but in the end Rijkaard stuck with 4-3-3 and it paid off with Messi and Ronaldinho playing wide, both combining well with the full backs Puyol and Abidal who got forward on numerous ocassions. Celtic’s nineteen-year-old right back Paul Caddis only started his first competitive game for Celtic’s first team at the start of the month, he will not forget last night’s experience in a hurry.
There are bound to be comparisons in Glasgow between last night’s game and Barça’s 0-0 draw at Rangers in October. Rangers fans will argue that their side did better because they got a point, but football is not just about scraping results: it is about entertainment and glory and keeping supporters on the edge of their seats for ninety minutes. Celtic fans experienced the thrill of scoring two goals and going in at half time winning. Hats off to their team for showing the bravery to attack when they could. I questioned the British press in October for calling Rangers “heroic” (see article Heroic Rangers?), Celtic may have lost last night, but they played their part in a thrilling encounter and for me are far more worthy of being described in such a way than their city rivals.
I’d also like to mention the Barça fans who made the trip to the game. I know by British standards that 2,000 is not considered to be very many as an away support, but for Barça it is impressive. I believe that Titi186 and Liam (Jordi FCB) were at the game as well as a large group from the Penya Union Blaugrana, well done guys, it was great to hear the Barça songs coming over the TV on the rare ocassions that the Celtic fans stopped singing.
Lastly, a couple of stats I forgot to mention in the match report. This was Barça’s 100th win in the European Cup, a feat only achieved previously by Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Manchester United. This was only the second time Celtic have lost at home in the Champions League, the only other time was also against Barça who won 1-3 at Celtic Park in September 2004. And finally, Leo Messi’s two goals now put him at the top of the goalscorers table in this season’s Champions League with six goals.
14 responses so far ↓
Andy // Feb 21, 2008 at 10:40
Have to say that for all the fancy footwork and trickery that was Barcelona we (Celtic) gifted Barca the goals. Our sloppy defending allowed Messi and Henry to score - but overall the game was great for both sets of fans no matter the result. Sadly we have lost our excellent home record in europe, but to face the best Attacking side in the world and lose by just one goal is still impressive - and much better than watching Rangers anti -football tactics in their 0-0 clash with you.
I will be coming over to Barcelona for the game sadly no ticket
but coming over for the atmosphere and to visit the city for the first time. Met a few Barca fans over here swapped scarfs, had a few drinks and tried to sell Gary Caldwell to them for £5 - about 6.50 euros - hes that bad.
Anyway if we do get put out which it looks likely unless we beat you by two clear goals in the nou camp then I hope Barcelona go on to win the competition.
I also run a Celtic website so would be good to have a wee hook up between the sites - Lisbon67.com
Speeka // Feb 21, 2008 at 13:46
Met a few Barca fans over here swapped scarfs, had a few drinks and tried to sell Gary Caldwell to them for £5 - about 6.50 euros - hes that bad.
LOL hope you find a ticket.
Andy // Feb 21, 2008 at 13:57
Hope all the Barca fans had plenty of fun. Not looking forward to the trip I have heard that the city is very overated and also their is a good chance that you will be robbed or constantly annoyed by ugly hookers
JJ // Feb 21, 2008 at 13:59
Well played Barca, a fully deserved victory. Just a privilege to be there and watch two teams going at each other from the off. Great friendship and respect between the fans which made the occasion all the more memorable. The Barca fans chanting ‘Celtic, Celtic’ at the end was special.
Remember it’s only half-time though!
Titi186 // Feb 21, 2008 at 16:11
Hey Nic how did you know I was going??!!
I was there though and WHAT A GAME!!
WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE!!
Special mention to Barca fans. Thanks for making my first away game the best away game ever for me. It was weorth every penny
The Celtic fans deserved our chants of “Celtic, Celtic! at the end they really did. Team all round was very good. Nobody has mentioned Toure yet who had a superb game mopping up in midfeild. I think fropping Xavi was good aswell as Deco and Toure seem to balance the midfeild with Iniesta as a creative force. Anyway goota go flights ready lol.
Forca Barca!!
Titi186
Jay // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:53
What a match….mindblowing Barca….
Nic // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:59
Titi - I have my spies
Please tell us more about the experience. What did you do after the game?
Gerry67 // Feb 22, 2008 at 1:48
As a Celtic fan, I appreciate the generous comments about our team and our fans. I hope we can pull off a miracle at Camp Nou, but if not, I’ll be cheering Barca all the way. Thanks for an excellent game and showing us how it should be played! - I hope our young team learn from the experience. And please ignore Andy above, he’s clearly a Rangers fan trying to stir up animosity. Your fans were great too - Barca and Celtic are both ‘mes que un club’. Hail Hail
Rafael // Feb 22, 2008 at 7:24
Im just sooo happy Ronaldinho is back!
Andy // Feb 22, 2008 at 14:22
aye the second andy not the first andy - first one is me and Im a Season ticket holder and if we do get put out I want Barca to go all the way as well.
Tit186 // Feb 22, 2008 at 15:10
Nice one Nic
After the game I was just wrecked to be honest. I didnt sleep night before and had 8am flight so I just went to hotel room and slept lol. Problem is I didnt know where any Barca fnas were gathering after the game otherwise I would have celebrated with them!!
Anyway off to see myother team Arsenal in a couple weeks in the San Siro… It will be interesting to see what the atmosphere is like there as it will be hard to beat the atmosphere of the Barca fans.
I know people say Celtic have the best atmosphere in Europe but beleive me the Barca fans were magnificant. Always singing, dancing and jumping around they were unbeleiveable. Thanks guys for a great time!!
Tit186
Tony. // Feb 22, 2008 at 15:57
You Barca fans (as like Celtic fans) are a credit to your club,no animosity at all and great banter before/during and after the game,that’s what football is all about and by God your team can play a bit too.
We did have a few players making their European debut but done not too badly considering Barca are gonna win the cup because they ooze class,we are getting there,slowly but surely.
Bona sort Senors, gracies pel matx.
Gavin // Feb 22, 2008 at 16:36
I have to say that was paradise at it’s very best. Flowing, entertaining football with both sets of fans at full voice. Just a pity there had to be a winner.
The tie is not over yet lol. Let’s hope the return leg will just be as entertaining.
Do you think the Camp Nou will be a sell out ??? I’d love to sample the atmosphere if it is (if I get a ticket that is).
See you all in Barca March 4th.
Hail Hail
Jimmie O' // Feb 22, 2008 at 18:28
Wasn’t @ the game, but watched it @ my local CSC http://bhoysofilford.com/ The place was heaving and everyone was commenting on the atmosphere, and that was coming from the TV. Celtic and Barca fans have always been [img]http://209.85.12.227/11880/5/emo/handshake.gif[/img] and Wednesday night only cemented that friendship deeper. To be honest I can’t see us overturning the result in Camp Nou, if we do all well and good, but if we don’t, then all the best Barca, I hope you get to the final and win it.
Forca Celtic/Barca
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