Real Madrid 2-0 Celtic: Weakened Celtic punch above weight in defeat

IN WHAT was billed as their biggest glamour friendly in years, Celtic lost to Real Madrid in Philadelphia last night, but surely gained a huge confidence boost as their weakened team conceded just two goals and showed they could trouble a Spanish team full of superstars.

Scorers: Real Madrid - Callejón 21; Benzema 67

Injuries to Dylan McGeouch, Daryl Murphy and Anthony Stokes – who did not take part after a warm-up problem – will be more of a concern to Celtic than the loss, which was almost inevitable given the stellar quality of their opponents.

American Football surface markings on the Lincoln Financial Field may have confused all the players, but this match was about good football and, as friendlies go, this was a superior example of the genre.

Not that friendly – Celtic always maintain they play competitive matches, not feeble training exercises, and so it proved as Real Madrid more than matched the SPL champions in commitment with a few stinging tackles exchanged. Nor was this a mere cosmetic exercise for the American television market.

Jose Mourinho, who learned to respect Celtic when he managed Porto to beat the Glaswegian club in the 2003 UEFA Cup final in Seville, fielded the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Alberoa, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Higuain, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao, Sami Khedira while the Spaniards even had Mesut Özil of Germany on the bench.

For various reasons, Celtic were missing half the first XI in captain Scott Brown, South Korean Olympic bronze medallist Ki Sung-yeung – he is now excused military service as a consequence of that achievement – Victor Wanyama, James Forrest and Georgios Samaras, so any claim that the Scottish champions were playing Real Madrid reserves is nonsense.

Indeed, after Stokes pulled out late and was replaced by Thomas Rogne, you could argue it was the other way around.

Both sides also played their 
second-string goalkeepers, Madrid starting with Antonio Adan and Celtic putting Lukas Zaluska between the sticks in place of 
Fraser Forster. It was Zaluska who had the busier first half. Celtic manager Neil Lennon sent his men out to play a pressing game but Real are past masters at coping with such tactics and though Celtic started well, with Kris Commons in excellent form, it was Real who 
produced the first serious threat.

Ronaldo – who else – shot just wide after 17 minutes, before Kaka’s angled shot produced an excellent save from Zaluska two minutes later.

The goal was only delayed, however. In the 22nd minute, Celtic’s defence fankled up after a superb through-ball from Alonso. Higaiun looked ready to score but the ball broke to Jose Maria Callejon who shot home despite the suspicion of offside. Xabi Alonso went on to dictate matters in midfield, despite the sterling efforts of Beram Kayal and Commons. Yet in the 29th minute Ronaldo nearly made it two with a superb curler that went just outside the post.

McGeouch’s corner was almost met by Joe Ledley before Callum McGregor came on for the injured Murphy.

Right at the end of the half, 
Ledley’s superb run and shot nearly shocked Real Madrid, but it may have also sprung the Spanish side into action.

They dominated the start of the second half, not least because Iker Casillas replaced Adan in goal. Real’s defence looked absolutely solid from then on and Celtic barely created a chance.

Rogne foiled replacement Karim Benzema and Kelvin Wilson 
managed to turn a goalbound 
Coentrao shot wide.

In the 72nd minute, there was one of those moments that makes every player and spectator worry. 
McGeouch, who had played well in midfield, rose to challenge Nuri Sahin and landed on the deck unconscious.

It appeared that the Celtic player swallowed his tongue, and the Madrid players went to his immediate aid.

He recovered consciousness but the teenager left the field on a stretcher six minutes later, his neck in a brace.

It was sickening to see, and the Celtic players were understandably upset.

Real Madrid’s players also seemed unsettled, but that did not stop them going further ahead, 
substiute Özil’s wonderful crossfield pass finding Benzema who shot low from an angle.

Celtic simply could not create any chances worthy of the name as the match neared its end, but Real Madrid were also unable to do much.

A fair result in the end, but Celtic may take the greater heart from this game in the long run.

TEAMS

Real Madrid: Adan; Arbeloa, Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Coentrao; Khedira, Xabi Alonso; Kaka, Callejon, Ronaldo; Higuain. Subs used: Granero Molina, Casillas, Benzema, Di Maria, Özil, Nacho, Sahin, Morata.

Celtic: Zaluska; Matthews, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Rogne; McGeouch, Kayal, Ledley, Commons; Murphy. Subs used: Rogne, McGregor, Fraser.