Celtic-Benfica Preview: Judgment Day?

By: JT | November 6th, 2007

Two weeks ago, Celtic traveled to Lisbon seeking a mere point from their clash with Benfica, and almost got it. A late goal from Oscar Cardozo sent the Celts back to Glasgow with nothing but a ton of effort and criticism of their negative tactics to show for their trip. Milan ripped Shakthar Donetsk apart at the San Siro, tightening Champions League Group D up for the second half of the six game schedule.

Today the same four clubs meet in the return legs of their ties, looking to cement their place in the knockout phases. With no draws in the group thus far, today could well be the deciding day for both Benfica and Celtic, while Milan and Shakhtar are sure to at least be in the frame until the final match day.

Benfica come into today’s match at Celtic Park on something of a roll. They’ve won five straight matches in all competitions, and have closed the gap in the Primera Liga to six points behind early leader Porto. The Eagles look to be finding their form under the management of Spaniard Jose Antonio Camacho, and the return of Portugal international striker Nuno Gomes will further enhance their confidence.

Celtic, on the other hand, have been inconsistent at best. Since the legendary victory over Milan in early October, Celtic have won four and lost two, including a hammering at the hands of archrival Rangers, and a lifeless home loss in the CIS Cup to Hearts. A win over Kilmarnock at the weekend will have the faithful feeling good heading into the match, while the health of the squad may not.

Superstar midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura is extremely unlikely to feature today, as a nagging knee injury requires rest. The sizzling form of Aiden McGeady should compensate, and its the right time for him to step up and take the leading role that he craves, and those that have watched him develop over the years know is well within his capabilities.

Massimo Donati appears to be fighting for playing time at the moment after a strong start to his Celtic career. No injury news has been reported on the Italian, and Paul Hartley and Jiri Jarosik were the choices this weekend. They look set to be in the lineup today as well. Scott Brown will be the fourth member of the midfield quartet, and he’ll be suspended for the home match against Shakhtar if he is booked today, which is a virtual certainty.

Artur Boruc will be in net as usual, and the same defense that was so shaky in the closing stages at Kilmarnock on Saturday will be there again today. Gary Caldwell, John Kennedy, Stephen McManus, and Lee Naylor will be asked to contain Rui Costa, Cardozo, and the precocious American Freddy Adu for the full ninety minutes this time out.

Up front will be the preferred duo of the rampant Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. The little Aussie and the giant Dutchman looked like a solid combo at the weekend, with McDonald feeding off of Big Jan’s classic #9 play.

The formula is simple for Celtic, as it always is for home European matches. The crowd will be in a frenzy from the start, and the Bhoys have to find a way to use that energy to their advantage. An early goal is the target, so expect to see some attacking pressure right out of the gates. WGS‘ tactics will be nothing like they were in Lisbon, and Hartley will be the man to raise his arms in celebration first.

I’m sure many of the squad are itching to take on Benfica because they feel like they could have beaten them in Portugal, and now they have them at home. I expect that they’ll dominate possession and win the match quite handily, barring any end-of-first-half lapses in concentration. The final will be 3-1 to Celtic, with McDonald and McGeady adding to the Celts’ lead before Cardozo grabs a consolation goal.

The match in Ukraine will be a tight affair, with a draw the probable outcome. After today Milan will have seven points along with Shakhtar, Celtic will be on six, and Benfica will be preparing for a spring without European football. That’ll set up a tasty match when Shakhtar Donetsk visit Parkhead on November 28th after the international break.