GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Celtic player Tony Watt (l) scores the second goal watched by Barcelona player Javier Mascherano during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park on November 7, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
5 Reasons Celtic will beat Barcelona
by Ryan Willox
5. History
Casual readers will no doubt be at least somewhat familiar will events at Celtic Park on the evening of November 7th 2012.
Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the club’s inception, Celtic guided by then manager Neil Lennon put on a backs-to-the-wall display to shock the Catalans.
Victor Wanyama, now of Tottenham Hotspur, fired Celtic into a shock lead just over 20 minutes into the contest with a powerful header from a Charlie Mulgrew corner.
Ecstasy turned into rapture in the 83rd minute when Tony Watt latched onto a Fraser Forster long ball and drilled home Celtic’s second.
Lionel Messi responded in stoppage time but it was too little to late for Barca.
Now, while swallow doesn’t make a Spring, there is other historical evidence of Barcelona’s struggles against Celtic.
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Celtic eliminated a Barcelona side including Ronaldinho from the UEFA Cup in 2004 1-0 on aggregate.
The 0-0 second leg at the Camp Nou is one of two draws Celtic have managed there.
Indeed, in thirteen clashes between the sides going back to a meeting in the old Fairs Cup in 1964, NINE have either been drawn or settled by a single goal.
In the nine previous Champions League meetings, there have been six goals scored after the 80th minute.
It isn’t really until the last two, 6-1 and 7-0 Barca, that the rivalry has become lop-sided.
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<p>Celtic eliminated a Barcelona side including Ronaldinho from the UEFA Cup in 2004 1-0 on aggregate.</p>
<p>The 0-0 second leg at the Camp Nou is one of two draws Celtic have managed there.</p>
<p>Indeed, in thirteen clashes between the sides going back to a meeting in the old Fairs Cup in 1964, NINE have either been drawn or settled by a single goal.</p>
<p>In the nine previous Champions League meetings, there have been six goals scored after the 80th minute.</p>
<p>It isn’t really until the last two, 6-1 and 7-0 Barca, that the rivalry has become lop-sided.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-celtic-will-beat-barcelona/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Celtic Park </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-426337" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-celtic-will-beat-barcelona/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1815,w_3000/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F155722653-celtic-v-barcelona-uefa-champions-league.jpg" alt="" width="3000" height="1815" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/155722653-celtic-v-barcelona-uefa-champions-league.jpg 3000w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/155722653-celtic-v-barcelona-uefa-champions-league-768x465.jpg 768w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/155722653-celtic-v-barcelona-uefa-champions-league-268x162.jpg 268w" sizes="(max-width: 3000px) 100vw, 3000px"><p class="wp-caption-text">GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Celtic fans hold up cards to spell out a sign during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park on November 7, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">4. Celtic Park</h3>
<p>Home field advantage is important for every team, but more so than others.</p>
<p>There are some places that have something special about them, an inexplicable intangible that reason alone cannot account for.</p>
<p>Celtic Park on Champions League nights is one of those places, as a stunned Manchester City found to their cost in the 3-3 draw on matchday two.</p>
<p>Let’s be honest, Celtic’s home form in UEFA competition recently has been patchy.</p>
<p>Going back to the beginning of last season’s qualifying campaign, Celtic have won six, drawn two and lost three of their last eleven home European ties.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-celtic-will-beat-barcelona/2/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/8sf711rNtc4?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>All six of those wins were in qualifiers and Celtic are looking at going winless at home in two consecutive group stages for the first time ever.</p>
<p>Yet the record in Champions League group stage and beyond is impressive. Barcelona are one of only four, including Juventus, AC Milan and Borussia Monchengladbach this season, to have won at Celtic Park.</p>
<p>Of Celtic’s six losses in 29 home Champions League ‘proper’ matches, Barca account for three.</p>
<p>The Catalans are the only team to have won twice at Celtic Park in the UEFA Champions League group stage or beyond since the Bhoys first qualification 15 years ago.</p>
<p>There is a sense that after five visits in twelve years, the mystique is wearing off on Barca yet Celtic will need to harness the energy, the enthusiasm and the nervous tension to try to throw their familiar foes off guard once again.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-celtic-will-beat-barcelona/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Barcelona are understrength? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-426340" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-celtic-will-beat-barcelona/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2001,w_3000/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F623634664-argentina-v-colombia-fifa-2018-world-cup-qualifiers.jpg" alt="" width="3000" height="2001" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/623634664-argentina-v-colombia-fifa-2018-world-cup-qualifiers.jpg 3000w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/623634664-argentina-v-colombia-fifa-2018-world-cup-qualifiers-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3000px) 100vw, 3000px"><p class="wp-caption-text">SAN JUAN, ARGENTINA – NOVEMBER 15: Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on prior a match between Argentina and Colombia as part of FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at Bicentenario de San Juan Stadium on November 15, 2016 in San Juan, Argentina. (Photo by Amilcar Orfali/LatinContent/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">3. Barcelona are understrength?</h3>
<p>We will have to wait until about an hour before kick-off or so to fully assess the validity of this one.</p>
<p>Notwithstanding, both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez missed out on Barcelona’s frustrating 0-0 draw.</p>
<p>Messi missed out after an arduous international break, which involved playing in Argentina’s demoralizing 3-0 defeat to Brazil in FIFA World Cup qualification.</p>
<p>Suarez, meanwhile was suspended for the trip to Malaga, and will return for the Celtic game.</p>
<p>In their place alongside Neymar were Paco Alcacer and Arda Turan, who huffed and puffed for 90 minutes without success.</p>
<p>Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has confirmed that both Messi and Suarez had resumed training ahead of the Celtic clash but if either are not 100 per cent, it may open the door for Celtic.</p>
<p>The Spanish side did play possum before the side’s first encounter, losing at home to Alaves before demolishing Celtic.</p>
<p>However, Messi returning from an international break unwell is a concern as is a Suarez lacking full match fitness.</p>
<p>It must be remembered that Celtic missed a penalty at 0-1 in the Nou Camp, and more of that later, before Barca ran riot.</p>
<p>In tandem with items five and four, any combination of MSN missing, or lacking sharpness might open the door for another Celtic rearguard action.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-celtic-will-beat-barcelona/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Brendan Rodgers and his tactics </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-426343" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-celtic-will-beat-barcelona/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_886,w_1332/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F621066694-cl-borussia-moenchengladbach-celtic-glasgow.jpg" alt="" width="1332" height="886" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/621066694-cl-borussia-moenchengladbach-celtic-glasgow.jpg 1332w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/621066694-cl-borussia-moenchengladbach-celtic-glasgow-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1332px) 100vw, 1332px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Moenchengladbach, Germany 01.11.2016, UEFA Champions League – 2016/17 Season, Group C – Matchday 4, Borussia Moenchengladbach – Celtic Glasgow, Coach Brendan Rodgers (CGL) (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">2. Brendan Rodgers and his tactics</h3>
<p>It cannot be forgotten that Brendan Rodgers is in his first season in charge of Celtic.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>In many ways reaching the group stages was the achievement, and one which has been dulled by pulling such a brutal group.</p>
<p>The point is, like anyone starting a new job, Rodgers is learning as he goes. And Rodgers is learning.</p>
<p>To this point in a fairly trouble-free honeymoon period that has been bought by this qualification and domestic dominance, Rodgers has been really only drawn criticism for one mistake.</p>
<p>That was his early jettisoning of goalkeeper Craig Gordon in favour of Dorus de Vries. After de Vries failed to shine at the Camp Nou, Gordon was quietly inserted back into the starting line-up.</p>
<p>Rodgers is not a man who is afraid to admit he was wrong. The same applies tactically where he has used everything from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 to a flat 4-4-2 at various points during the season.</p>
<p>Friday night’s 1-0 win at Kilmarnock with a makeshift team was a case in point. With Kieran Tierney injured and Emilio Izaguirre returning from international duty, Callum McGregor got the nod at left back.</p>
<p>Let’s be clear, McGregor is not a left back, but it worked.</p>
<p>Celtic got the points and key players were rested – in contrast to the first match which followed an emotional 5-1 Old Firm Derby win against Rangers.</p>
<p>Celtic have shown a mobility and flexibility under Rodgers that was previously missing, and may be enough to at least ask a question of Barca.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-celtic-will-beat-barcelona/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Moussa Dembele </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-426344" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-celtic-will-beat-barcelona/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1201,w_1801/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F621066944-cl-borussia-moenchengladbach-celtic-glasgow.jpg" alt="" width="1801" height="1201" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/621066944-cl-borussia-moenchengladbach-celtic-glasgow.jpg 1801w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/621066944-cl-borussia-moenchengladbach-celtic-glasgow-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1801px) 100vw, 1801px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Moenchengladbach, Germany 01.11.2016, UEFA Champions League – 2016/17 Season, Group C – Matchday 4, Borussia Moenchengladbach – Celtic Glasgow, feature, Moussa Dembele (CGL) erzielt das 1:1 gegen Yann Sommer (BMG) per Elfmeter (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">1. Moussa Dembele</h3>
<p>Let’s be absolutely clear again and state that Celtic need all five these elements to come together, plus some poor Barca finishing, and maybe a bounce of the ball to get over the line Wednesday.</p>
<p>However if they do, Celtic will beat Barcelona again and the last element is the x-factor.</p>
<p>That x-factor is Moussa Dembele.</p>
<p>As mentioned previously, the Frenchman missed a penalty at 0-1 at the Nou Camp in the first meeting between the sides this season.</p>
<p>But, just like his manager, Dembele has evolved since then.</p>
<p>There is a lot of evidence – his goals for club and country, his cementing of a starting place ahead of Leigh Griffiths in the Celtic side – but the penalty pictured above speaks volumes.</p>
<p>Dembele both won and converted the penalty that earned Celtic a point at Borussia Park. It was a little sign, but an indication of the growing confidence and maturity of a burgeoning talent.</p>
<p>With Dembele deployed, Celtic will pose a problem from set-pieces, on the break and at various areas in the final third.</p>
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<p>What will give Celtic hope in the wake of the 3-3 draw with Manchester City is that they may not just have to hold on for grim life to a 1-0 for 70, 80 minutes.</p>
<p>In Dembele, Celtic have a genuine goal threat who works solo, or in tandem with Scott Sinclair in a tactical shift, or Griffiths from the bench.</p>
<p>Another reason for optimism for Celtic heading into Wednesday and hints that another great night at Paradise may be imminent.</p>
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