Celtic v Barcelona: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Article summary
Celtic suffered their heaviest European defeat against a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona on matchday one but neither coach believes Barça will have it so easy second time around.
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Article body
- Barcelona are through with a win, or with a draw if City do not lose
- For a top-two finish in Group C, Celtic must win and hope City do not
- Celtic suffered their record European defeat in the reverse fixture: 7-0
- Celtic have since managed draws with Manchester City and Gladbach
- Gerard Piqué a doubt with a knock picked up on Saturday
Possible line-ups
Celtic: Gordon; Lustig, Šimunović, Sviatchenko, Izaguirre; Brown, Armstrong; Forrest, Rogic, Sinclair; Dembélé.
Out: Tierney (ankle), Griffiths (hamstring)
Doubtful: Touré (groin)
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitić, Busquets, Rafinha; Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar.
Out: Iniesta (knee), Umtiti (hamstring), Mathieu (calf)
Doubtful: Piqué (unspecified)
Misses next match if booked: Neymar, Rakitić
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic manager
We showed them too much respect [in the first game] and the scoreline was bitterly disappointing at the time. However, the players have learned from that in terms of their courage to get on the ball and their bravery to play.
We want to get a victory. We know it will be hugely difficult but we don't have any fear. We have to impose our style, play our game and take our chances. If we can do all that we give ourselves an opportunity to get a result.
Luis Enrique, Barcelona coach
It is going to be a different game [from matchday one]. We are ready for anything from Celtic, be it a high press or a low pressing game. We are used to teams playing a defensive system. Most teams that come to Camp Nou play like that, but be patient; we'll get there.
Celtic Park is a great stadium and the players want to play here. I want the players to go out and enjoy it, and if they do then we will progress to the next round.
Weekend results
Kilmarnock 0-1 Celtic (Armstrong 44)
The Scottish champions have kept six successive clean sheets – and not conceded in 598 minutes – in the Premier League. They have also won all seven league games in which Stuart Armstrong has scored since he signed in January 2015.
Barcelona 0-0 Málaga
Sergio Busquets made his 400th Barcelona appearance as Luis Enrique's men were held to a goalless draw – against opponents who finished with nine men – for the first time since 2 January. Lionel Messi missed out through illness.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Celtic: WWDWWL
Barcelona: DWLWWW
Reporter's view: Alex O'Henley (@UEFAcomAlexOH)
"Too much respect" and "the need to learn" were the pre-match themes from Rodgers and captain Scott Brown, with much of the discussion surrounding their 7-0 defeat at Camp Nou. Expect an aggressive, high energy, pressing approach from the Hoops. A victory is required but to win they will have to repeat the heroics of four years ago when Neil Lennon's side beat the Catalan giants 2-1. A similar result would see the current squad and manager elevated into the pantheon of memorable Celtic performances.
Did you know?
Celtic manager Rodgers worked with Luis Suárez at Liverpool between 2012 and 2014, the Uruguayan scoring 31 goals in 2013/14. Read more in our extensive match background.