Wednesday September 19, 2012 Group Stage: Group G Finished Celtic Park

  1. Celtic held by resolute Benfica

    Celtic held by resolute Benfica

    Celtic failed to make it three home wins from three Champions League games against Benfica as a scrappy opening Group G match ended 0-0. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Celtic
    • Benfica
    • 90+4' The final whistle. Thanks for joining us - Celtic earn a goalless draw on their return to the Champions League.
    • 90+3' Brown releases Miku in acres of space but his cross is easily dealt with. That could be that. Wanyama wins one more free kick.
    • 90+2' Commons plays it in but Cardozo clears.
    • 90+1' Celtic have never won an opening game in the group stage. Can they pull it out of the bag? Brown wins a free kick and Cesar is booked.
    • 90' Three minutes added time here.
    • 89' Matic bundled over by Brown and the Celtic skipper goes into the book.
    • 88' Almeida whips it into Cardozo and his header flashes over the bar.
    • 86' Matthews heads away Cardozo’s ball for a corner. Danger.
    • 85' Great challenge from Brown to take the ball from Cardozo. He has had a cracking game as usual.
    • 84' Cardozo nearly nips in from a shot from Nolito but it spins away from the striker.
    • 83' Looked like a half decent shout from Forrest.
    • 81' Benfica sub: Gaitan off for Nolito.
    • 80' Forrest goes tumbling in the box and looks for a penalty for a challenge from Melgarejo. Nothing given.
    • 79' Forrest caught in possession when he had time to whip in a cross.
    • 78' Commons bends in a corner on top of the keeper but the referee blows for a push from Rogne.
    • 77' Benfica enjoying a good spell but Celtic go up the other end and Perez clears for a corner.
    • 76' Commons to the rescue as Forster gets in a bit of a tangle. Anxious moments.
    • 75' Gaitan is nearly in but Rogne charges out to block his shot, which may have been goalbound.
    • 74' Gaitan is nearly in but Rogne charges out to block his shot, which may have been goalbound.
    • 73' Gaitan plays it to Cesar whose audacious effort goes over the bar. Not that far away though.
    • 72' Poor cross in from Mulgrew and Benfica clear easily. One goal may be enough for either side now.
    • 70' Salvio shoots from outside the box. Very optimistic and out for a goal kick.
    • 69' Benfica sub: Rodrigo off for Cesar
    • 68' Weak shot from Commons out for a goal kick.
    • 67' Sustained Celtic pressure and two more corners. Gaitan clears.
    • 66' Matthews plays it in but the angle is too tight for Miku but he wins a corner. Commons takes but Rogne heads over.
    • 65' Celtic sub: Hooper on for Izaguierre.
    • 64' Commons does well to whip in a cross and it’s nearly turned in to Benfica's own net by the centre back.
    • 63' Rodrigo looks like he’s dropping off more central into the Aimar role.
    • 62' Celtic sub: Rogne on for Lustig.
    • 62' Benfica sub: Aimar off for Cardozo.
    • 61' Aimar delivers and Forster is called on to twice punch clear. Good spell Benfica.
    • 60' Aimar combines with Rodrigo before it falls to Gaitan, whose shot is deflected wide. Very close! Corner.
    • 58' Oscar Cardozo is ready to come on.
    • 57' It’s out for a Celtic goal kick and there is activity on the Benfica touchline.
    • 56' Aimar booked for a challenge on Wanyama.
    • 55' Izaguierre wins a free kick off Salvio in a very dangerous area. Commons delivers band it falls to Matthews who smashes his shot into the ground before it is cleared away.
    • 54' Izaguierre wins a free kick off Salvio in a very dangerous area. Commons delivers band it falls to Matthews who smashes his shot into the ground before it is cleared away. Half chance.
    • 53' Commons wins a free kick after a foul from Aimar.
    • 52' Forrest skins the full back but his cross is cut out. Good run though.
    • 51' Matthews shepherds out Melgarejo for a goal kick. Solid start by Celtic.
    • 50' Wilson does well to win a free kick for a foul from Rodrigo.
    • 49' Aimar whips it in but Mulgrew clears well on the back foot. Corner.
    • 48' Gaitan wins a free kick from Wanyama, who has to be careful.
    • 47' Forrest goes by the full back but the centre back comes across to rescue. A great turn and shot from Commons but his right foot shot is blocked by Garay.
    • 46' Matic booked for an arm across the face of Miku. Matic left Chelsea last year when David Luiz went the other way.
    • 46' We’re back underway here. The other Group G match is still locked at 1-1 at the Nou Camp. No changes as yet.
    • HALF TIME: Celtic 0-0 Benfica
    • 45' Salvio runs it out of play and that could be that.
    • 44' Matthews does well to cover across and tackle Melgarejo. Throw to Benfica.
    • 43' Aimar again floats it in but it’s safely gathered by Forster.
    • 42' Miku again does well to win the ball in the final third but Commons brings down Perez for a free kick.
    • 41' Miku looking lively and wins Celtic another throw. The home side pressing for a goal before half time.
    • 40' Commons delivers but Benfica break clear only for Wilson to come to the rescue.
    • 39' Miku does well to win Celtic a corner.
    • 38' Brown in heavily on Gaitan. Nothing given.
    • 37' Izaguierre is robbed of the ball but Rodrigo is adjudged offside with his shot that Forster beats away. Close though.
    • 36' STAT: Celtic with 55% of possession but Benfica with the two shots on goal.
    • 35' Lustig in an offside position but Mulgrew steams through to try and keep it in. Good effort.
    • 34' Aimar whips it in, Brown clears and Perez fires well over the bar.
    • 33' Forster got a lot of the ball with his arm. It was a lovely pass from Aimar. Izaguierre goes in the book. Very dangerous position for Benfica.
    • 32' Rodrigo looked for a penalty but not even close. Good, alert keeping.
    • 31' Rodrigo is in behind the Celtic defence but Forster comes out brilliantly to save. Lovely ball from Aimar.
    • 30' Spartak have just equalised at the Nou Camp. A Daniel Alves own goal.
    • 29' Perez penalised for a hand ball. Looks like it came off his chest. Commons again takes but Benfica clear.
    • 28' Commons takes and it’s off Wanyama’s head for a goal kick to Benfica. Just a little too deep from Commons.
    • 27' Commons caught by Garay and there is a free kick in a dangerous position for Celtic now.
    • 26' Melgarejo plays it off Lustig to win a corner. Celtic clear the danger.
    • 25' Commons and Miku exchange passes but the final ball can’t quite find the Celtic striker. Encouraging.
    • 24' Neither keeper has been seriously tested as a Mulgrew pass goes astray.
    • 22' It’s been a tight contest so far, Celtic with 54% of possession.
    • 21' Barcelona have gone ahead in the other Group G match against Spartak. Check out the other Group G match here
    • 20' Wanyama booked for a foul on Perez. Poor challenge.
    • 19' Good defending from Wanyama who wins it back from Matic. A poor ball from Aimar goes through to Forster.
    • 18' The injured Samaras watches on from the stands as the rain teams down.
    • 17' Matthews and Forrest combine and Miku just fails to get on the end of it.
    • 16' Gaitan plays it in but Forster has it.
    • 15' Aimar wins a free kick for a cynical challenge from Wanyama. The visitors with the better of it at the moment. Gaitan and Aimar threaten and Benfica win a corner.
    • 14' Lustig heads away Almeida’s ball for a Benfica corner. It’s played to Salvio and he flashes it across goal but it’s over the bar. Celtic switched off for a moment there.
    • 13' Wilson deals with the threat of Rodrigo. Throw to Benfica.
    • 12' Foul by Brown on Gaitan. Looked a little harsh. Free kick to Benfica.
    • 11' Celtic have had the better of the early sights on goal but Benfica have settled.
    • 10' Jardel concedes a free kick. Commons plays it in but it’s out for a Benfica goal kick.
    • 9' Terrific tackle by Wanyama to prevent a possible Benfica break away.
    • 8' Garay wins a free kick for Benfica although it looks like he was the offender.
    • 7' Gaitan tries some trickery on the wing but he’s halted in his tracks.
    • 6' Aimar takes but it drifts harmlessly out for a Celtic goal kick.
    • 5' Aimar fouled by Brown and wins a free kick.
    • 4' Commons plays it in and Melgarejo clears for another corner. Benfica scramble clear. Celtic close again.
    • 3' Commons playing a central holding role. Bright start for Celtic. Mulgrew wins an early corner.
    • 2' Scott Brown wins an early free kick. Lustig pumps it in and Almeida clears. Chance from Commons in the box but he doesn’t quite connect with his shot. Good link up with Miku.
    • 1' After Celtic’s huddle a huge roar went up. Electric atmosphere here. Commons looks to chip the keeper and it’s just over the bar.
    • 1' Referee Nicola Rizzoli blows the whistle to get us underway here at a typically raucous Celtic Park.
    • 19.40 Only five minutes away from kick off now. Match odds: Celtic 11/4, Benfica evens, Draw 5/2.
    • 19:35 Celtic have lost only two of their 20 Champions League games at home, both against Barcelona. And Lennon thinks the home crowd could play a big part. “When the music comes up and the roar comes up from the crowd, it just elevates you to a different place. The nerves go completely and you just get a huge shot in the arm from the atmosphere. To bring these nights back to Celtic Park is fantastic for everyone associated with the club and I think we're all looking forward to getting started."
    • 19:30 Benfica reached the quarter finals last season and have a proud European pedigree, winning the European Cup/Champions League on two occasions, in 1961 and 1962. Only Bayern Munich and Juventus have lost as many finals as the Lisbon side (5).
    • 19:25 The omens are good for Celtic. Benfica have lost their two Champions League trips to Celtic, conceding four goals and failing to score a single one.
    • 19:20 Jorge Jesus: "We have conditions to use different players in different circumstances to adapt to the game. We've worked on a strategy to match any team, be that Barcelona or any other team. The last three years Benfica have been in the Champions League. We're prepared for this match and we want to try to achieve a good result."
    • 19:15 Manager Neil Lennon played for Celtic when they beat Benfica 3-0 at home in the group stages in 2006 but suffered an identical defeat in Lisbon. "We don't want to just be also-rans or make up the numbers," said Lennon. "We are going to compete in this group. I think we're ready. We are a couple of players light in terms of injuries. But there is a huge motivation for this game and they want to make their names in this competition."
    • 19:10 Celtic could opt for a 4-4-1-1 formation with Forrest supporting Fedor. Benfica could play with Rodrigo on his own up front in a 4-1-4-1.
    • 19:05 Celtic are returning to the Champions League after a three year absence but come into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat away at St Johnstone. They have taken just one point from their last two games in the SPL.
    • 19:00 Oscar Cardozo has scored three in three for Benfica but surprisingly starts on the bench whilst Gary Hooper is also benched for Celtic. Benfica are without key defender Luisao for the first four games of the group stage after he was banned for two months for pushing over a referee in a friendly. Fellow defender Maxi Pereira is also suspended after being shown a red card in a quarter-final defeat to Chelsea last season. Check the group table and fixtures
    • 18.55 TEAMS: Celtic: Forster, Matthews, Izaguierre, Wilson, Mulgrew, Lustig, Brown, Commons, Wanyama, Fedor, Forrest. SUBS: Zaluska, Ambrose, Rogne, Slane, Nouioui, Watt, Hooper /// Benfica: Artur, Garay, Jardel, Andre Almeida, Aimar, Gaitan, Matic, Perez, Salvio, Rodrigo, Melgarejo. SUBS: Paulo Lopes, Miguel Vitor, Bruno Cesar, Nolito, Andre Gomes, Oscar Cardozo, Lima.
    • 18:50 Celtic skipper Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew are both fit. Brown is nursing an ongoing hip problem but declared himself fit while defender Mulgrew has shrugged off an Achilles injury. New signings Lassad Nouioui, Miku and Efe Ambrose are included in the squad, while Georgios Samaras (elbow) Paddy McCourt (knock) and Filip Twardzik (groin) are out.
    • 18:45 Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions League Group G clash between Celtic and Benfica at Parkhead. Kick off 19.45 BST. Match preview

  • Summary

    • 80' Forrest goes tumbling in the box and looks for a penalty for a challenge from Melgarejo. Nothing given.
    • 75' Gaitan is nearly in but Rogne charges out to block his shot, which may have been goalbound.
    • 74' Gaitan is nearly in but Rogne charges out to block his shot, which may have been goalbound.
    • 66' Matthews plays it in but the angle is too tight for Miku but he wins a corner. Commons takes but Rogne heads over.
    • 60' Aimar combines with Rodrigo before it falls to Gaitan, whose shot is deflected wide. Very close! Corner.
    • 55' Izaguierre wins a free kick off Salvio in a very dangerous area. Commons delivers band it falls to Matthews who smashes his shot into the ground before it is cleared away.
    • 54' Izaguierre wins a free kick off Salvio in a very dangerous area. Commons delivers band it falls to Matthews who smashes his shot into the ground before it is cleared away. Half chance.
    • 47' Forrest goes by the full back but the centre back comes across to rescue. A great turn and shot from Commons but his right foot shot is blocked by Garay.
    • 37' Izaguierre is robbed of the ball but Rodrigo is adjudged offside with his shot that Forster beats away. Close though.
    • 31' Rodrigo is in behind the Celtic defence but Forster comes out brilliantly to save. Lovely ball from Aimar.
    • 25' Commons and Miku exchange passes but the final ball can’t quite find the Celtic striker. Encouraging.
    • 17' Matthews and Forrest combine and Miku just fails to get on the end of it.
    • 14' Lustig heads away Almeida’s ball for a Benfica corner. It’s played to Salvio and he flashes it across goal but it’s over the bar. Celtic switched off for a moment there.
    • 4' Commons plays it in and Melgarejo clears for another corner. Benfica scramble clear. Celtic close again.
    • 2' Scott Brown wins an early free kick. Lustig pumps it in and Almeida clears. Chance from Commons in the box but he doesn’t quite connect with his shot. Good link up with Miku.
    • 18.55 TEAMS: Celtic: Forster, Matthews, Izaguierre, Wilson, Mulgrew, Lustig, Brown, Commons, Wanyama, Fedor, Forrest. SUBS: Zaluska, Ambrose, Rogne, Slane, Nouioui, Watt, Hooper /// Benfica: Artur, Garay, Jardel, Andre Almeida, Aimar, Gaitan, Matic, Perez, Salvio, Rodrigo, Melgarejo. SUBS: Paulo Lopes, Miguel Vitor, Bruno Cesar, Nolito, Andre Gomes, Oscar Cardozo, Lima.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.4 6
      Defenders
      4.3 6
      4.5 7
      4.2 6
      Substitution Out63′ 3.8 6
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 4.1 6
      Yellow Card 4.5 8
      4.2 7
      Yellow Card Substitution Out66′ 4.5 6
      Strikers
      3.7 6
      5.5 7
      Subs
      Substitution In66′ 4 6
      Substitution In63′ 3.8 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      4.8 6
      Defenders
      5.3 6
      5.4 6
      6.6 6
      6.4 7
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card Substitution Out63′ 4.4 7
      Yellow Card 6.2 6
      6.5 7
      Strikers
      Substitution Out83′ 6.2 7
      Substitution Out70′ 7.6 7
      6.1 6
      Subs
      Substitution In63′ 4 6
      Substitution In70′ Yellow Card 4 6
      Substitution In83′ 1.5 -

Comment 50 - 70 of 70

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  1. That's alright bhoys! 1 away goal will win it next­ time!

    From Cillian de Paor, on Wed 19 Sep 23:23

  2. I see the orcs and their obsession with hating Celtic­ more than loving rangers are out in force again on­ here.

    From Paul McL, on Wed 19 Sep 22:13

  3. WE hurty none was not at the game so sad ya fecken­ idiot

    From Davy Lobo, on Wed 19 Sep 21:55

  4. Well done young Celtic.Benfica are a very good Euro­ side.Who knocked out Man U last year.The experience of­ this will do you great for the future!

    From none, on Wed 19 Sep 21:46

  5. If you cannot win your home games ,, you are OUT

    From ian, on Wed 19 Sep 21:43

  6. Jeez, no shots on target, Brown booked as usual,­ penalty not given to the away side as usual - Barcelona­ must be sh*****g themselves lol

    From David, on Wed 19 Sep 21:42

  7. Look at all the low ratings for the Celts.The redundant­ Huns have been busy tonight having nothing better to do­ that recover from the Abysmal humiliation of last­ night.

    From none, on Wed 19 Sep 21:42

  8. Well ..................a tainted point but will Celtic­ be in more trouble with UEFA as a result of that­ singing.

    From , on Wed 19 Sep 21:38

  9. not a failure in the celts team, but we should've­ won it.

    From Wee Rons Dad, on Wed 19 Sep 21:36

  10. Obi is like a broken record he just goes on Annan Annan­ Annan!

    From john, on Wed 19 Sep 21:34

  11. So the Celtic fans are in good voice..............I can­ sense another UEFA fine coming.

    From , on Wed 19 Sep 21:33

  12. Darren Fletcher getting a run oot at Man utd.. great­ stuff, just need to nick one here and a great night to­ be had.. mon the hoops...

    From terry, on Wed 19 Sep 21:27

  13. Barca go 3-2 up.

    From , on Wed 19 Sep 21:26

  14. Hi Sean why you not at the game then ?

    From Davy Lobo, on Wed 19 Sep 21:25

  15. Any news on a neck donor for wee James Forrest.

    From , on Wed 19 Sep 21:25

  16. Must be real quiet at Ibrox tonight? No ditty games­ on the calendar?

    From Sean, on Wed 19 Sep 21:23

  17. That was slack from Forrest.

    From , on Wed 19 Sep 21:23

  18. That block from Rogne must have been worth a few pounds­ extra - come on Peter Lawwell play fair - your just­ exploiting the lad. Slavery in the modern age.

    From , on Wed 19 Sep 21:20

  19. you talkin aboot newco jesus obi,LOL,come on benfica av­ got a few quid on you.

    From Thomas, on Wed 19 Sep 21:19

  20. These full houses at the San Giro ar great­ though..............keeps the manks off these threads.

    From , on Wed 19 Sep 21:17
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