I watched Celtic lose to Benfica and noted defensive nightmare, new-dad joy and food for O'Neill's thoughts
Four main takeaways from Celtic’s sobering 4-1 defeat to Benfica at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon
Celtic’s Europa League struggles continued with a sobering 4-1 loss to Benfica in Lisbon, consigning Martin O’Neill’s men to a fourth defeat in five matches on yet.
On yet another difficult European night, defensive lapses saw the Scottish champions go in at half-time trailing by three goals, but a spirited second-half response offered a glimmer of hope.
Camilo Duran pulled one back and then struck the post minutes later, while substitute Callum Osmand missed a big chance to set up a tense ending to the contest before Benfica added a fourth through Vangelis Pavlidis late on.
It left Celtic with plenty to address as their Europa League campaign threatens to unravel, but O’Neill remained bullish about Celtic’s qualification hopes post-match. Celtic are one of eight teams yet to get off the mark in the competition’s league phase this season.
Lewis Anderson watched the action unfold for The Scotsman and picks out his four main takeaways from the game.
European shortcomings laid bare again
If the grand architectural ambition of the Estádio da Luz is meant to inspire awe, it had a far more paralysing effect on Celtic’s defensive line last night. On a warm Lisbon evening, their continental aspirations were comprehensively picked apart by an elegant and ruthless Benfica side, leaving the Scottish champions to pick apart a heavy defeat that exposed the harsh chasm between domestic comfort and European reality.
More defensive frailties and costly lapses in concentration continue to undermine their continental progress. The breakthrough arrived via a self-inflicted wound. Dane Murray’s relative inexperience showed as he was drawn into a panicked challenge inside the penalty area. Exuding an almost insolent calm, Jhon Duran executed a delicate Panenka chip straight down the middle, completely outwitting the diving Viljami Sinisalo.
It set the tone despite the visitors briefly flickering into life. Poor marking contributed to Alexander Bah’s goal and disorganised defending for Duran’s second goal and Benfica’s third left the visitors with a mountain they had no chance of scaling. Celtic were now entirely at sea, unable to anchor themselves against Benfica's high press.
Against opponents of such quality, they were repeatedly punished for individual errors and an inability to retain control of proceedings. The Portuguese outfit sliced through their defence with alarming ease, underlining the major gulf between the sides. The hosts registered 26 shots, 21 of which came from inside the penalty area.
Celtic showed glimpses of their attacking potential, but a fragmented defence and missed opportunities proved decisive. With successive defeats leaving their campaign under pressure, O’Neill must find a way to eradicate those recurring weaknesses if Celtic are to make a meaningful impact on the Europa League.
Hogh’s scoring woes continue
Hopes were high that the Dane would rediscover his scoring touch in Lisbon, but another frustrating outing did little to ease concerns over his barren spell. Høgh, once again, found himself in promising areas on several occasions in the opening 45 minutes, only to let himself down when it mattered most, coming agonisingly close when he struck the post from point-blank range.
Substituted at half-time, the former Bodø/Glimt striker has now gone eight appearances in green and white without adding to the hat-trick he scored against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. The pressure is clearly effecting him. A glaring lack of confidence has led to hesitation or rushed finishing.
The problem is about more than finishing alone. Høgh needs to be more decisive when chances arrive, but Celtic must supply him with the ball in the positions where he is most dangerous. Facing Benfica at the Estadio da Luz is a considerably tougher test than any domestic fixture. Defenders offer less time and space, and chances can be harder to come by.
However, when two big opportunities did drop to him, Høgh was unable to convert when it mattered most. Is it time O’Neill removes the Danish international from the firing line for a period?
Half-time changes spark a response
O'Neill acted decisively at half-time. The introductions of Haissem Hassan and Callum Osmand offered some encouragement and injected much-needed energy and width into Celtic’s attack. They looked a different side after the interval, pressing higher and creating chances that had been missing in the first half.
Celtic went on to enjoy their brightest spell of the game. Hassan was particularly lively down the right channel, taking on his marker and providing a searching cross for Camilo Duran’s consolation goal,
For a ten-minute window, a miraculous comeback felt distantly possible. Celtic pressed forward with genuine intent and were committing more bodies forward. Osmand’s intelligent runs helped stretch Benfica’s backline on his return to action after a two-month injury absence. The striker forced a top save from Anatoliy Trubin in the closing stages, although he might have done better to square for Duran who found himself in a threatening position.
Both substitutes gave Martin O’Neill food for thought ahead of Sunday’s Premiership meeting with Hearts, demonstrating the value of greater pace and attacking intent as Celtic mounted an encouraging, if ultimately fruitless, second-half response.
New dad Duran shows admirable commitment
Having made a swift dash to the Portuguese capital following the birth of his second child less than 24 hours earlier, Camilo Duran showed admirable commitment to the cause. His brave header sparked the start of a mini second half revival, and he was desperately unlucky to be denied by the woodwork twice as Celtic on the night.
While his contribution could not prevent a heavy defeat, his determination, movement and clinical finish for the consolation offered one of few genuine positives amid an otherwise frustrating evening for O’Neill’s side.
The result confirmed a sobering reality for Celtic. While their second-half resurgence offered a crumb of comfort for O’Neill, the structural errors of the first 45 minutes proved catastrophic. For Benfica, this was a statement of intent in a competition they will be among the favourites to win.
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