Another dramatic European night under the lights saw Celtic record a rare Italian win from behind – a resonant scenario.
After last minute defeat, Lazio are probably still shaking their heads as to how they lost. On an equal share of possession and outshot 14-9, they nevertheless created the better chances. Six shots on target including 3 Big Chances saw them edge the xG values 1.741 – 1.61.
It was on the counter attack where Lazio flourished. Celtic had 22 possessions in the opposition box to 11 by the Romans. Creating chances on the break usually means better chances. One goal for Lazzari followed a length of the pitch sprint from the scorer. Marker Bolingoli can reflect why he couldn’t match this endeavour.
But even more stark than the counter attacking was the aggression both teams brought in attempting to play through the lines. Over the last two seasons the average Celtic match has 82 Pack Passes – forward passes that take out at least one opponent. There were 146 in this match, 28 more than the next highest – Celtic vs Hibernian in February 2019. It was a high stakes poker game in style.
It is very rare Celtic are out packed at home. The exceptionally talented Leipzig and Salzburg sides managed it last season. This was a very good Lazio side.
They were happy to go long and diagonal. With two strong but hugely skilled forwards in Correa and Caicedo they were not going to run away from Celtic. But with the towering Milinkovic-Savic supplementing, they had a mix of passing verve, skill and strength.
Celtic had to be wary but as often in these games it came down to small margins. Forster produced two world class saves. The last gaps paw to Cataldi’s incredible full-blooded volley got the focus. However, it is the point blank save with the foot from Parolo’s shot in the 80th minute that was the more remarkable. With Cataldi’s volley, Forster was positioned on the right side of the goal and had time to react. Parolo’s effort was from inside the 6-yard box with miniscule reaction time. The wall rebuilt.
Celtic’s winning goal – and who doesn’t love a last-minute winner, from a corner! – also owed to a tiny margin. Bitton can be seen ushering Jullien in behind him and to the right. Bitton messes up Bastos, his marker, whilst simultaneously blocking Acerbi, Jullien’s man, allowing the Frenchman a free towering McNeill-esque conquering header.
It was a classic blocking move by the Israeli, copied from the basketball court perhaps. And it delivered another lasting European memory.
For the return Celtic should be under no illusions they are up against a very good side, however.
Another excellent analysis where you show what really happened. Too many supporters, I feel, offer opinions with insufficient evidence to back up those opinions. They could learn from you.
well done.
James Barr ( Hot Smoked)
“ Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard”…but the talent did work hard and the hard work, not without talent themselves, worked even harder. Moreover, they learned from “Europe and Plastic excuses” ( although it was on grass). A different game but I thought Julien excellent against St Mirren and he should have scored from exactly the same play .
A good summary of the match. Too often it’s just rhetoric you get – we were brill.. world class etc. I watched twice after being at the game and it’s amazing how you get a different picture without the adrenaline flowing.
Great analysis. Boli allowed Lazzari to get away from him a couple of times before the goal but Ajer cut the forward passes out. With the goal Boli is level with Lazzari on the Lazio 18yd line and does not see the danger until Lazzari is 10 yds ahead of him on the half way line. Lazzari sprinted while Boli runs from 18yd line. Hopefully Boli will improve defensively and see the danger sooner against top Euro teams. I believe Bitton is an avid basketball guy and his part in the goal is not mentioned anywhere else except this site. Well spotted and great stuff.
Glad to read your report. I really enjoy this site. CBN!!