Celtic made their long-awaited return to the Champions League on Tuesday evening as they hosted European champions Real Madrid in group F.
An entertaining pre match light show, swashbuckling rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone and the drowning out of the Champions League anthem completed an electric pre-match atmosphere inside Celtic Park although in the game itself, it wasn’t to be for Ange Postecoglou’s men.
Goals from Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard condemned the Hoops to defeat although in this piece, we’ll go through each Celtic player’s performance from tonight and rate it out of ten. Let’s begin.
Joe Hart – 7/10
Joe Hart had few saves to make this evening. His one in the first half to deny Vinicius after the Brazilian broke through on goal stands out but other than that, the Englishman was untried with Real’s efforts either being off target or in the back of the net.
Josip Juranovic – 8/10
Coming up against a world class opponent such as Vinicius was always going to be a challenge for Josip Juranovic although the Croatian was up to the mark for the majority. As well as helping to somewhat mute the Brazilian, Juranovic also aided his side in attack, getting up and down the right and whipping some nice crosses into the box.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 8/10
The American covered well in defence and played some slick passes into the right channels. Overall, Carter-Vickers gave a good account of himself and also helped to keep Karim Benzema quiet before the Frenchman hobbled off half an hour in.
Moritz Jenz – 7/10
Moritz Jenz came in for the injured Carl Starfelt at centre back tonight. The German made some ample headed clearances and was calm when on the ball. Further, the 23 year old is odds-on to start on Saturday as a result of the aforementioned Starfelt knock.
Greg Taylor – 6/10
The 24 year old got vastly forward in the first half although Dani Carvajal and Fede Valverde constantly created overloads on Madrid’s right, much to the disadvantage of the Scot. The pair got two assists between them, putting testament to the trouble they caused Taylor.
Callum McGregor – 8/10
The most notable involvement Callum McGregor had was when he rattled the post in the first half. The Celtic captain, though, hugely contributed in midfield, continually playing short yet simple passes to keep play going for his side. Also, the 29 year old superbly showed the ball-winning side of his game this evening, winning numerous duels and tackles in the engine room.
Reo Hatate – 6/10
The Japanese was at the centre of a lot of things Celtic done in the first half, particularly when playing out from the back, although Reo Hatate ran out of steam in the second 45. He did play some eye-pleasing cross-field passes but couldn’t pull any key ones out of his locker to open up the Madrid defence.
Matt O’Riley – 6/10
Playing in the advanced playmaker role in the Celtic midfield, Matt O’Riley didn’t have the liveliest performance. Granted the Dane got in and around the opposition box, any time he attempted a cross or shot on goal, it was blocked effectively by an opposition defender, something that was a bit of a them of the night for the Hoops.
Liel Abada – 6/10
Hooked at half time, Liel Abada lacked end product in the final third. The Israeli snapped at the opportunity when played in behind by Jota although one wonders what could’ve happened had the chance Daizen Maeda had early in the second half fell to Abada.
Giorgos Giakoumakis – 7/10
The Greek striker didn’t have any shots on goal this evening although he certainly roughened up the Real backline. Giakoumakis held up the play and was vivacious in and around the opposition 18 yard box.
Jota – 6/10
Jota struggled to get past Dani Carvajal in the Madrid defence. That didn’t mean the Portuguese wasn’t a threat, though, as he was continually given the ball and hung up some delightful crosses into the Real box.
Substitutes
Daizen Maeda was introduced at half time, replacing Liel Abada. Moments after coming on, the mercurial winger had a colossal opportunity at the back post however he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet. Going on from this, Maeda frequently pressed Thibaut Courtois and co with his pace and effort standing out.
With 18 to play, Ange Postecoglou made a further three substitutions. Aaron Mooy replaced Reo Hatate and was skilful and effective in his passing with David Turnbull being relatively uninvolved after replacing Matt O’Riley.
Kyogo also came on at this juncture, replacing Giorgos Giakoumakis, with the Japanese constantly shutting down the Madrid defence and going close with a left footed effort that flashed wide of the post.
The final Hoops change of the evening saw Sead Haksabanovic make his Celtic Park debut. Jota made way for the Montenegrin who was effervescent and not afraid to run at his man. Moreover, Haksabanovic was unfortunate not to net a consolation for Celtic when he was denied by a tremendous Courtois save at the front post late on.
It is fair to say Celtic made a good account of themselves this evening despite a 3-0 loss.
The support from the Hoops faithful this evening was superlative although in these types of games, you have to take your chances when you’re on top and this is something Celtic weren’t able to do.
As a result, they were undone by some sublime Real Madrid goals however optimism should still be high in the Scottish champions’ camp after a performance against the European champions that was undoubtedly passable an on another day, could’ve yielded a point or more.
At halftime i was thinking ‘what a game, between two good teams’, but only one of them showed up for the second half!
I think a front 3 of Jota, Maeda, Abada would’ve made more of an impact, but thats hindsight for you.
Its been said numerous times before but you’ve got to take your chances at this level, and any mistakes you make get punished!
Abada’s inexperience showed, as did the teams in general for Royal Madrids goals with some sloppy midfield work and a ridiculously high defensive line chasing play back towards goal once again costing Celtic in Europe; they were excellent up until then too!
I need to stop praising players mid game as the second i did of McGregor, he gave the ball away and done so time after time thereafter; he does a power of running and short link up play from the Centre Mid position, but tbh i think Celtic should be looking at a personnel change here in future, preferably for someone who can playmake effectively.
Disappointing second half, especially after the work the team put in during the first half; you’ve got to raise your game in these situations, not drop off, but here we are!