Celtic’s Champions (Manchester United Shirts) League hopes were dealt a massive blow on Tuesday evening after French side, Villarreal, claimed victory in their Group E encounter. A Marcos Senna free kick, on 67minutes, was to be positive that last season’s La Liga runners-up took all four points. Celtic had made four changes to the side that lined up against Aberdeen on Saturday with Gary Caldwell, Paul Hartley & Aiden McGeady replacing Glenn Loovens, Marc Crosas & Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.
The first opportunity of the match came in the first minute when Joseba Llorente shot over the bar. Celtic forced a corner in the 3rd minute after (Cheap Soccer Jerseys) some Georgios Samaras’ pressure. Hartley’s corner, was however, cleared by Diego Lopez in the Villarreal aim.
Celtic’s Greek internationalist won another corner with under 10 minutes gone which saw Gary Caldwell’s work blocked by a yellow shirted defender. The Hoops won themselves a free kick in the 11th minute but Shaun Maloney’s work was disappointingly straight at Lopez.
Sebastien Eguren could have given the home side the lead after a pleasant cross but his header flashed past the post & out for a aim kick. Samaras was next to threaten for Celtic but his shot was way off target. French internationalist, Santi Cazorla, was involved with 18 minutes played when his strike went wide of the target.
It was captain Marcos Senna who had the next work when his long range shot went narrowly past the post. Only a minute later, Villarreal were in on aim when a long ball caught the Celtic defence (Soccer Shoes) unaware & Rossi pounced only to see the ball blocked by Boruc. The rebound was knocked over the bar by Llorente who ought to have done better. After 24 minutes of the match, Villarreal won a corner which was met by the head of Llorente.
His header, nevertheless, was saved by Artur Boruc. Celtic’s Aiden McGeady tried his luck with a long range shot in the 26th minute but his attempt went wide of the post. Villarreal ought to have went ahead in the 35th minute when Llorente fired over the bar after some excellent play from Cazorla on the wing. In 42 minutes, it was the away side who had a brilliant opportunity when a hopeful long ball resulted in a mistake by Diego Godin.
Samaras raced clear only to see his shot with the outside of his boot saved by Lopez. The in form striker ought to have put his side in front & it was a miss that was to show expensive as the game progressed. It was the Yellow Submarine who had the last chance of the first half when a short corner was cleared by (Soccer Kits) Boruc only as far as Llorente whose knock on was also saved by the Polish keeper. The ball found its way to Robert Pires who could only fire his work against a Celtic defender.
The second half began at a frantic pace with Llorente’s shot saved by Boruc after they had worked his way in to the box from out wide. Minutes later, a Celtic corner was met by the head of Caldwell with the ball finding Stephen McManus who managed to flick the ball aim wards. Lopez, however, was alert to the danger.
Eguren had an work for the Spaniards with 50 minutes played, but his shot was effectively a pass back to Boruc. A McGeady pass to Samaras soon after, looked to have created an excellent opportunity for the Hoops. The Greek striker’s reluctance to put his left foot to make use of saw the chance wasted. It was the men in yellow who were soon on the charge with Giuseppe Rossi (football shirts) shooting narrowly wide after a great solo run. The Italian saw another work saved by Boruc in the 58th minute as Villarreal looked to break the deadlock.
Santi Cazorla was the next in on the act when his shot was also stopped by the busy Boruc. With 61 minutes played the impressive Senna shot from distance & Boruc had to be alert to make the save; palming the ball to the side. Moments later, the Villarreal captain saw his direct free kick go past the post. Celtic’s no.1 (football jersey) was involved again when they had to react to an Eguren shot.
Villarreal were pushing hard for the opener & it duly arrived in the 67th minute when Senna sent his free kick over the wall & past the diving Boruc. The foul which lead to the aim was contentious but, what wasn’t disputable, was the fact that the Spaniards deserved to take the initiative in this game. Scott McDonald came on for Celtic in the 72nd minute to try & salvage a (football shirt) point for the Scottish Champions but it was the hosts who were next to assault when Llorente had another shot saved by Boruc only for the referee to blow for offside.
Robson replaced Nakamura with 74 minutes gone & in the same period of the game McDonald levelled the proceedings. His volley went narrowly over the bar after McGeady had knocked the ball on to the Australian. The first booking of the match came after 76 minutes when Robson was penalised for his challenge on Cazorla. The Spaniards made the next substitution when Ibagaza came on for Cazorla.
The Argentinian playmaker made his mark straight away but his shot went past the post. Scott Brown was the next Celtic player to see yellow when they was cautioned for a foul on Senna. In to the last 10 minutes of the game Barry Robson & McGeady worked well together to generate a chance for Brown who (football shirt) could not get his shot away. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink done Celtic’s substitutions when they came on for Hartley.
His entrance could not prevent a Capdevila drive in the 83rd minute which was held by Boruc. The home side could have done the game off when Llorente’s shot was amazingly blocked by (football shirts) McManus & the return by Boruc. After a lovely passing move Villarreal could have added to their lead but Senna’s eventual shot went wide of the target. Santi Cazorla had the final opportunity for the La Liga outfit & his attempt was tipped round the post by Boruc.
Celtic’s chances of qualification from Group E now hinge on them getting a result against holders Manchester United who won 3-0 (cheap football shirts) in Aalborg. To say that this will be difficult, is an understatement, for a team that has only managed to collect 1 point from a feasible 48 away from home in the Champions League. It will require something spectacular if the SPL Champions are to stay in this competition beyond Christmas.
The way the group is shaping up it looks as though the best the Glasgow side can hope for is a place in the latter stages of the UEFA Cup; a consolation that won’t appease the masses who follow this (Cheap Football Shirts) historic team & that will adversely affect their reputation throughout European footy. Unless one believes in miracles, Celtic ought to already be looking ahead to next season’s campaign.<br />
Jonathan Simmons.
FT � Villarreal 1-0 Celtic
Teams
Villarreal � Diego Lopez, Angel, Rodrigues, Godin,
Capdevila, Cazorla (Cani, 90), Senna, Eguren, Pires
(Bruno, 83), (Soccer Jerseys) Llorente, Rossi (Ibagaza, 77).
Subs Not Used � Viera , Edmilson, Javi Venta, Fuentes.
Aim � Senna, 67.
Celtic � Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor,
Nakamura (Robson, 74), S Brown, Maloney (McDonald, 72),
Hartley (Vennegoor of Hesselink, 82), McGeady, Samaras.
Subs Not Used � M Brown (Football Kits) Crosas, Loovens, Caddis.
Booked � Robson, S Brown.
Attendance � 25,000
Referee � Viktor Kassai (Hungary).