*For those of you new to the blog, especially those clicking over from Halos Heaven, realize that we blog on all of the favorite teams of the four authors here at LSF. If you're looking for Angels stuff, scroll down to see my post on the recent sweep at the hand of Boston. But enjoy the other stuff too, it's fun.
Wow, that was really, really bad. Neil Lennon's first match that mattered as the skipper at Celtic went off yesterday, a Champions League qualifier first leg battle with Portugal's Braga, and it didn't go well. While I know that Braga is no joke, a 0-3 loss in a Champ's League test is really just unacceptable. Not to mention the turmoil created by Lennon sitting Aiden McGeady out. Four starters made their competitive Celt debut as Korea's Cha Du-Ri, Mexico's Efrain Juarez, newbie Joe Ledley, and Charlie Mulgrew got the call, but they surely didn't make any friends among Bhoy supporters.
I'll take the time to thank You Tube for extensive highlights of the game.
The goal of the away/first leg game was to at least steal an away goal. That way, even if you allow two in, you're still okay coming back home for the second half. Celtic opened with possession, although were not able to convert their possession to an actual chance on target. Then in the 24th, the tables turned. Chasing an attack, the ball rolled up on Cha Du-Ri and right into his forearm, leading the assistant to raise the flag. The penalty, as Du-Ri was in the box, was easily converted into the upper right corner, and despite Zaluska's protests, gave the home team the lead. I think our goalie was protesting because it looked like Braga had two different players running forward on the set up of the kick. I'm not sure that's legal, and I think our Polish keeper agrees. I know you can on a free kick, but not on a penalty, right? Scott Brown had a chance ring off the post in the 37th, but he was flagged offside, so that wouldn't have mattered. The hot hot Portugese heat slowed the play down in the first 45, and we escaped okay, only 1 back.
Braga, however, opened the second half on point. In the 74th, after Zaluska was forced to clear a ball out, Braga would make good on their corner. The kick missed all heads and came down to the feet of an unmarked Braga player, who easily kicked the ball slowly past our keeper. That was a frustrating goal, because it was ugly. Now down by 2, it was time for my neon yellow and black striped squad to at least get one to tickle the twine. That, though, didn't happen. Not too far off, newcommer Charlie Mulgrew sent a nice ball in from 40 out, but the Braga keeper batted it away from danger. Then, awarded a free kick after a horrible challenge, Braga would complete their coup of my Sligo side. From 35 yards out, Braga's Matheus sent in a stunning free kick that curled just out of Zaluska's diving reach. That was the one that made us look like clowns. Down 0-3 after the first 90 of this 180 minute battle, Lennon's club is in trouble.
So, now we're hearing it from A) all Rangers fans and B) Premmie fans who like to hate on the SPL. It's really just another example of the Hoops inability to perform in Champs League road tests, and it's nothing new for the Glasgow faithful. While it's nothing new, you still had to be hoping for better. Neil is telling us that the battle to get to the group stage still isn't over. I love the guy, but it's tough to take a rose colored comment like that seriously.
Celtic busted out in the 4-5-1, and let's see what went wrong.
G- Zaluska: Really, two of the goals couldn't be stopped (all three, in my honest opinion, but definitely two). He's our man between the pipes, and he's not the reason we fell.
D- Cha, Loovens, Hooiveld, Mulgrew: I think we've all kind of come to terms with Mulgrew not being the amazing pick up we hoped he would be, but the defense was poor in this game. Granted O'Dea was nursing an injury, and that made a difference, but there were unmarked guys getting in like mad. But, take away the Cha handie, and they look a lot better.
M- Maloney, Ki, Juarez, Brown, and Ledley: 5 in the middle, instead of 2 up front was a little odd. Fortune on the bench and Samaras left to create on his own was baffling. I called on Brown, Maloney, Ki, and Ledley as my four (with Aiden McGeady possibly out), and that happened with the addition of Juarez. I think Juarez will be key to this team, be it as a starter or a sub, but he'll certainly have to play better than he did last night.
F- Samaras: Our Gorgeous Greek was left all alone up front, and I'm not sure if that wasn't just a little stupid. Plus, he played the whole game in that crazy heat, instead of subing him out when the game was clearly lost. What gives, Lennon? Still, Samaras is going to be a hero again this year, as we all know.
The Hoops now have two friendly matches to figure things out before needing a three goal outbursts at home in the second leg with Braga. We'll see Lyon on Saturday before getting into some serious fisticuffs with Arsenal on Sunday (a little split squad weekend, perhaps?). Lennon needs to put together what he wants this team to look like, and he needs to do it quickly. Bhoy fans aren't interested in finishing second to the Protties from Rangers again.
Perhaps the seventh signing of the offseason, 22 year old middie Beram Kayal from Israel will help out? Keep 'em coming. Although, I must admit his photo shoot for the official Celtic website was a little (insert vacuum cleaner sound effect).
Hail! Hail!
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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