Barcelona 1-0 Celtic: Celtic are unable to scale the tallest of peaks

Published on Wednesday 5 March 2008 00:12

Barcelona 1 Xavi (4) Celtic 0 (Barcelona won 4-2 on aggregate)

THE hoped-for miracle of Barcelona, unsurprisingly, failed to materialise last night, the more predictable outcome to their visit to Nou Camp bringing elimination from the Champions League.

It was, however, defeat without disgrace, an achievement by Gordon Strachan's side that had seemed highly improbable when Xavi Hernandez extended the powerful Catalan side's 3-2 lead from the first leg almost before the match had warmed up.

Generally outclassed, the Parkhead team ultimately emerged with no little credit from a spirited resurgence, the margin of defeat restricted to a single goal by some heroic defending and exceptional goalkeeping from Artur Boruc, who recovered impressively from an uncharacteristically nervous start.

Frank Rijkaard's decision to exclude a handful of the players who had started the first match suggested a presumptuousness of superiority that could have been interpreted as an insult to his visitors. It would take just over two minutes, however, to become clear that the gesture was nothing more offensive than total confidence in whatever combination of superstars he would choose for the job.

Perhaps intent on reassuring their own supporters that Saturday's 4-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid would have no lasting, harmful effect, the Barcelona players started at the kind of tempo to which lesser teams tend to build gradually.

Even before that goal from Xavi, it was clear that Celtic once again would have serious problems with the bewildering movement and killing passing of the home side, most of whose members seemed to react to the opening whistle like disturbed wasps.

The pace at which the move that brought the goal was executed is an aspect of the game with which the Parkhead side are unfamiliar, and it was hardly surprising that they should prove to be incapable of interfering. As Ronaldinho took possession on the left, Sylvinho was already on the move towards the dead-ball line and the pass to the former Arsenal left-back was perfectly weighted.

The Brazilian's cross to Xavi might have been a little awkward to a less gifted player than the Catalan, and the impression that he had no right to do what he did may explain the surprise that seemed to overcome Boruc. With the ball a little behind him, Xavi played a delicious flick with the outside of his right foot and, although the ball floated directly above his head, the big goalkeeper appeared to react a little slowly, managing only to help it over the line.

It was the kind of start which is virtually guaranteed to intensify whatever apprehension the Celtic players may have experienced before the kick-off and, in the circumstances, their followers would be relieved at completing the first 45 minutes without sustaining further damage.

This could not be ascribed to any reduction in ambition or commitment by Barca, who continued to impose themselves in forward areas with such authority that Strachan's plan to stifle them with a five-man midfield – Paul Hartley restored to the holding role – was rendered irrelevant. Hartley became, in effect, just another defender as most of the play was confined to an area within 40 yards of the away goal.

Stephen McManus had to block a Samuel Eto'o shot after the striker had been supplied by Deco, while Boruc once again looked uncommonly nervous when Ronaldino, on a pass from Lionel Messi, came in from the left and hit a powerful drive straight at him. The Pole spilled the ball for a corner kick.

When Celtic did finally break forward, they contrived a half-chance, Massimo Donati moving through the midfield before feeding Scott Brown on the right. The midfielder's cross to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, however, brought a weak, unconvincing header from the Dutchman, sending the ball harmlessly into the air and towards Victor Valdes when he could have glanced it to the unmarked Shunsuke Nakamura, in a threatening position on the left side of the home penalty area.

Strachan sent on Evander Sno for the unconvincing Donati at the start of the second half and, soon after his arrival, the young midfielder was the inspiration behind Celtic's most incisive move to that point.

Pushing through midfield, Sno played a precise and perfectly-weighted pass to Brown, surging into the right side of the area, but Sylvinho showed terrific pace to recover in time to deflect the cut-back for a corner kick. The visitors almost immediately followed with another impressive series of passes between Nakamura, Hartley and Aiden McGeady, resulting in a chip from the left which Vennegoor of Hesselink glanced wide.

It would be the striker's last act, immediately removed to make way for Georgios Samaras, but those moments of danger seemed to irritate their opponents to the point of menacing retaliation, the consequence of which was a demonstration of important shot-stopping from Boruc.

The goalkeeper began by moving quickly to his left to deflect a powerful drive from Ronaldinho after the Brazilian had played a one-two with Eto'o coming in from the left. Boruc's next piece of work less than a minute later was even more impressive. Deco, quite unexpectedly, hit a ferocious volley from 25 yards that would have snaked into the bottom-left corner had the goalkeeper not launched himself across the goalmouth to push the ball wide.

Having seen his team succeed in keeping the deficit respectable after the possibility of embarrassment implicit in that scary opening period of the match, Strachan attempted to achieve the improbable avoidance of defeat by sending on Scott McDonald for the last 12 minutes. By then, however, it was clear that the final scoreline would be merely a matter of retaining respectability.

Barcelona: Valdes, Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Sylvinho, Toure Yaya (Edmilson 67), Xavi (Gudjohnsen 82), Deco, Messi (Henry 36), Eto'o, Ronaldinho. Subs not used: Pinto, Iniesta, Abidal, Bojan.

Celtic: Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, S Brown, Hartley (McDonald 78), Donati (Sno 46), McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 55). Subs not used: M Brown, Pressley, Robson, O'Dea.

HOW THE BARCELONA AND CELTIC PLAYERS RATED IN THE NOU CAMP

BARCELONA

Victor Valdes 6/10

Not tested by Celtic until a Nakamura shot in the last minute, which he saved well.

Gianluca Zambrotta 6

Italian enjoyed a game tussle with McGeady without ever being exposed.

Lilian Thuram 6

An easy night's work for the French veteran.

Carles Puyol 7

Popped up in the penalty area in the first half to force a save from Boruc. Defended well.

Sylvinho 7

A constant menace in the first half and set up the opener with a tempting cross for Xavi.

Toure Yaya 7

One of the lesser lights in the Barcelona line-up but he proved just as effective as his more glamorous team-mates.

Xavi 6

Started and finished move which gave Barca the crucial early breakthrough. Then faded into the background.

Deco 5

Tried to be too cute at times and was guilty of giving away possession on a number of occasions. Stung Boruc's palms with a fierce drive after the break.

Lionel Messi 3

Left the fray weeping in frustration with what looked like a hamstring injury after 35 minutes.

Samuel Eto'o 6

Not his night in front of goal but was part of some intricate play with his fellow forwards.

Ronaldinho 7

Carved open Celtic for the opener and was conductor of the orchestra as Barca cruised through to the next round.

SUBSTITUTES

Thierry Henry 6

On for injured Messi and was his usual hungry and athletic self but never really got a clear chance to score.

Edmilson 5

On for Toure Yaya in 68th minute and slotted seamlessly into the Barca midfield.

Eidur Gudjohnsen 3

On late for fading Xavi.

CELTIC

Artur Boruc 7/10

Made a decent stop from Ronaldinho early in the second half and an even better one from Deco moments later.

Mark Wilson 7

Left for dead by Ronaldinho's clever pass which opened up the Celtic defence for the opener. Recovered well.

Gary Caldwell 7

Stuck to his task well under constant pressure from Barcelona attacks that came in waves at certain periods.

Stephen McManus 7

Like Caldwell he gave a stoic display and helped ensure that, although beaten, Celtic were not disgraced on the night.

Lee Naylor 7

Excellent tackle on Eto'o late on helped keep the score at 1-0.

Shunsuke Nakamura 5

Some decent set pieces but Celtic really need more on occasions such as this. Had Celtic's best effort on goal came in dying seconds.

Scott Brown 7

Typically tireless effort. Guilty of a couple of errors but relished the occasion.

Paul Hartley 6

Steady presence in a midfield that matched their illustrious opponents for long spells.

Massimo Donati 4

Pretty anonymous first half and replace by Sno at the break.

Aiden McGeady 7

Constantly looked to take the game to Barca, but surges came from too deep and were easily mopped up.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink 5

Frustrating night, no real chances in front of goal and replaced by Samaras midway through the second half.

SUBSTITUTES

Evander Sno 6

Made an immediate impact after replacing Donati

Georgios Samaras 3

Little impact after coming on

Scott McDonald 3

Tested Valdes with a long range shot soon after coming on.