A Roman Tale

Celtic completed a double over Lazio with a second come from behind win, this time in Rome. History abounds. First win in Italy and earliest Group stage progression.

And all done in the most dramatic fashion with two last minute winners.

Like all good dramas there were three acts and a sting in the tale.

Act One – Roman Insurgence

Lazio had to win to have control of their destiny in the group. Inzaghi picked arguably his strongest side aside from the injured Correa and with primary playmaker Luis Alberto on the bench.

The opening minutes were traumatic for Celtic and all too familiar. A fast and aggressive start from them and Celtic looked flustered. An early goal conceded. Weak again.

The biancocelesti attempted 11 crosses in the first half and only 1 was (partially) successful. Lazzari’s centre was met by Jullien, but found its way to the lethal Immobile at the back post for a superb volleyed finish.

As the cross comes in, Jullien is marking Caicedo, Ajer is on Parolo and Elhamed is covering the towering presence of Milinkovic-Savic. No-one is picking up the most dangerous attacker, Immobile. This appears to be a collective lack of communication. Any of Christie, Brown or Forrest should be spotting the danger and the defenders telling them. Christie is drawn to the ball in an already overcrowded area. Forrest has not tucked in like a natural defensive wing back would do. Brown isn’t really doing anything other than marking space.

Sometimes the system fails especially getting used to a new one as Celtic were having matched up Lazio’s 3-5-2. Also credit the instinctive space sniffing of the scorer.

Watching in real time, it felt like Celtic would buckle and were under severe duress.

In reality, Lazio did not have another shot at goal until after Celtic equalised.

Act Two – Celts Defiance

It took Celtic another 20 minutes to clear their collective heads and start to find rhythm and confidence. From the 27^th minute, after a major alarm when Ajer foiled Immobile in the box, Celtic put together passing bouts whilst failing with final touches in the last third. 22 times in the first half Celtic lost possession in the final third without creating compared to 18 by the home side.

Despite 7 touches in the Lazio box to 9 by the opposition, Celtic did not create a shot until the 38^th minute. But by then a confident foothold had been established.

The equaliser, as at Celtic Park, followed the high press. Lazio’s skilful but cumbersome centre backs did not like the aggressive pressing of Christie, Elyounoussi and Edouard. Twice Celtic forced turnovers, tellingly when Elyounoussi was too quick for the elegant Milnkovic-Savic. A Lazio defender over anticipated Elyounoussi’s arcing pass to Forrest, one of many defensive errors from them, and Forrest’s finish was thunderous and, pleasingly, inevitable. A goal from their first shot. Celtic had now scored 3 out of 3 on target shots over the series.

This roused Lazio and they finished the half with a flourish. Three chances came in a minute, all headers from Jony free kicks and corner situations. A rare error from Forster presented Caicedo with an open net but his touch was fluffed and Celtic’s new Caesar, Jullien, cleared.

Act Three – Open Warfare

The second half must have been a wonderful game of football for any neutral. Both sides went forward, breaking lines, attempting long passes, and having 10 shots each.

Despite a draw being a great result for Celtic, they went for Lazio. Lennon may have reasoned that sitting back defending crosses all half was fruitless. There was joy to be had putting the Romans under pressure. Up to the hour mark Celtic managed 5 attempts but only 1 forced a save from Strakosha, from Edouard. Again, this followed a high press. This would be the only save he’d make over 180 minutes.

I was stunned around the hour mark when Inzaghi took off Jony. He had created 3 chances, put in the cross for the Immobile goal, and had one shot on target. But the creative Luis Alberto came on as well as a like for like replacement in Lulic at left wing back.

This seemed to free Milinkovic-Savic to get forward to support the strikers. The much sought after Serbian managed 5 shots, 2 on target, and created 4 chances as well as providing 2 secondary assists.

Celtic weathered this and once again counter attacked around 75 minutes to steal back momentum. Elyounoussi partnering Edouard up front was a success story for Celtic from the night giving the Hoops pace and energy all night.

When it seemed like Celtic had done enough to see out the game the Romans roused themselves in the last 5 minutes in a furious onslaught. 5 chances came and went in that period with Forster making another incredible save from Luis Alberto’s curling effort as well as two more expected saves.

The Twist

Celtic held on and masterfully ate up the 5 minutes of added time. It seemed we would be writing a story of maturity and strength – a hard won away point. But for the 4^th time in the series, Celtic’s high press caused mistakes. Berisha, despite his manager exhorting the hail Mary pass, slipped an aimless inside pass to no one. Edouard was alert as always, and his Franco buddy Ntcham was making the right slightly angled wide run.

Ntcham’s first touch was pure Oliver Burke but this served to draw the ‘keeper off his line. His second touch was pure Dalglish as he dinked it into the net to unleash delirium.

Epic Series

Over the two matches there were 49 shots at goal. Celtic managed 25 of them but only 5 on target. 4 resulted in goals.

Lazio managed 14 shots on target. Forster saved 11 of them, 3 being of the highest order. 2 were goals and Jullien saved the other.

The respective xG over the two legs were Celtic 2.758 to Lazio 3.978.

The difference makers were Forster (10 saves) and Jullien (90% DASR and 80% DASR in the two ties).

Like all good sides, Celtic now have a very strong spine and it was those players – Forster, Jullien, Brown, Edouard, that all delivered under the highest pressure.