55 minutes does not equal away points; Spanish Papers should shut their beaks

By: Matt | October 1st, 2008

Sitting in my film class, a friend texted me around 3:30 PM Eastern time saying, “0-0, Halftime, Samaras Missed a sitter :(,” and the first thing I thought to myself was “Benfica Away”. I knew I had just damned Celtic into Champions League away hell, but without watching a minute of the first half, I seemed to understand it. As I walked home, I dreaded firing up the computer and watching the second half. Twenty five minutes later, the lone goal came from a Villareal free kick and my suspicions were fulfilled. Same old Celtic away in the Champions League…*sigh*. From what I have read, Celtic played decently in the first half, with Georgios Samaras and Aiden McGeady impressing the most. I have read mixed reviews about Shunsuke Nakamura’s performance, some saying he could not hold onto the ball and others saying he was one of the best players on the field. What most seem to agree on, including myself from viewing the second half and Gary Caldwell, is that Villareal seemed to have a little trouble staying on their feet.

I had thought that Celtic would try to play a much more physical game with the faster Spanish side, but apparently so did Villareal, who took every opportunity possible to fall on the ground. Then comes word from a Spanish Newspaper saying “a primitive type of football which is so shameful that it should not be allowed out of Scotland again.” While we were not Brazil out there by any means, I think these judgmental Spaniards should turn the judging mirror against themselves and look at diving clinic not seen since Beijing that “the Yellow Submarine” put forth. You could make a fair argument that the goal scored was on just such a dive.

Anyways, more of the same from Celtic away in the Champions League. In Champions League news, Celtic travel to Old Trafford in two weeks time, but come back home this weekend to take on the at first hot, now cooling Hamilton Accies. Preview tomorrow or Friday.

Keep the Faith and all that…

TAL