sports news
European lessons to be learned
25th February 2008
Aberdeen and Celtic endured torrid encounters in European competition this week but, given time, both teams should be all the better for it. On Wednesday night Celtic were given the run around by a first-rate Barcelona side that played what must have been some of the most scintillating football ever exhibited on Scottish soil in recent times. The following night Aberdeen?s dream of another European glory night turned into a nightmare as the Dons were on the wrong end of a 5-1 thrashing in Munich. However both sides should learn a great deal from their experiences of facing world-class opposition.
Quite remarkably, Celtic were twice in front against Barcelona. Headers from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Barry Robson sent the Celtic Park crowd into euphoria but both times the leads were short-lived. Two goals from Lionel Messi and an exquisite finish from Thierry Henry were enough to secure first leg advantage for Frank Rijkaard?s men.
In the end, the result probably flattered Celtic. Barcelona enjoyed over 70% of possession and their passing and movement on the night was quite exceptional. The Celtic players must have been exhausted by the end of the match after chasing shadows for ninety minutes.
A disappointing aspect of this game was that Celtic never really performed anywhere near to what they can.. They were certainly not close to the form they have been in recently where they have been scoring goals for fun. Admittedly Barcelona rarely gave Celtic an opportunity to exert any sort of sustained pressure.
Another gulf in class was evident the following night when Aberdeen faced a Bayern Munich side eager to add this year?s UEFA Cup silverware to their bulging trophy cabinet. The sides had competed in an enthralling 2-2 draw at Pittodrie the previous week but at the Allianz Arena on Thursday night it was a far more one-sided encounter.
Yet as Jimmy Calderwood reflects on the club?s UEFA Cup run he will be proud of his team?s achievements. The performance in Dnipro, the thrashing of FC Copenhagen and the 2-2 draw at Pittodrie will be memories that Dons fans will be recalling for years to come.
The experience of playing against superior teams should act as inspiration for the players of both clubs. Youngsters like Aiden McGeady and Zander Diamond will have seen firsthand what it takes to be play at the highest level and the experience can only benefit their future development.
Celtic still have a second leg to in the Nou Camp to contest. If Barcelona are in the same vein of form then it may be a damage limitation job for Gordon Strachan?s men. However an early goal from the Glasgow club would put them right back in the tie.
The likelihood is that Celtic?s European campaign will come to an end in the Nou Camp, just as Aberdeen?s did this week. Nevertheless both clubs have competed at a higher level and should be aspiring to keep improving so that next time they are better prepared when they face the crème de la crème of Europe.
EDUARDO SUFFERS CAREER THREATENING INJURY
The Premiership matches at the weekend were overshadowed by the horrific injury suffered by Arsenal?s Eduardo. The Brazilian-born Croatia international suffered a suspected broken leg following a challenge from Birmingham?s Martin Taylor. After the match Arsene Wenger said that Taylor ?should never play football again? although one would imagine such words were said by a manager caught up in the emotion of losing one of his most promising youngsters at the club. It was sensible that the Frenchman made a swift retraction as the challenge seemed to be more clumsy than malicious. No football fan likes to see a player suffer a serious injury and hopefully Eduardo will manage to recover from this setback.
SPURS EARN SHOCK VICTORY AT WEMBLEY
Tottenham won their first major trophy since 1999 when they ran out deserved victors in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday in what was an absorbing encounter. Pre-match favourites Chelsea may feel hard done by, especially at the element of good fortune Spurs enjoyed for Woodgate?s winner, but Avram Grant?s side came up against a team that wanted it more on the day. Paul Robinson looked to be back to his best with a few fine saves late in the game to deny Chelsea, although his positioning at Drogba?s freekick was slightly questionable. It was good to see a cup which has lost much of its prestige in recent times put on a great finale. Alan Hutton will be glad he eventually decided to make the journey down south after all.
TALKING A GOOD GAME
?It?s probably not going to be the most fun conversation to have with your brother.?
Andy Murray gets ready to confront his sibling Jamie who criticised him for pulling out of a recent Davis Cup match.
?At the moment this isn?t a group of men, it is a team of little girls.?
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini after a 3-1 defeat to Torino.
?Fifa is like the United Nations but has more members and is more powerful.?
Fifa president Sepp Blatter could achieve world peace if he was so inclined.
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