There were some remarkable Tuesday night scenes in the other game in Celtic’s UEFA Champions League group.
As the Hoops were drifting to a disappointing 2-0 loss in their opener against Feyenoord, Lazio and Atletico Madrid were creating some unbelievable last-gasp drama.
With the Spaniards leading 1-0 thanks to a Pablo Barrios goal in Rome, Lazio piled on some 94th-minute pressure from a corner. Goalkeeper Ivan Provedel was sent up in the hope he could manufacture a late equaliser.
Atletico cleared the set piece only for Lazio to recycle the ball and Luis Alberto to send in a terrific cross. Meeting the header, after a perfect time run, was Provedel as he nodded into the net and sent the Stadio Olimpico wild. (Footage courtesy of TNT Sports)
The scenes were quite incredible. Something you’d maybe expect to see in a Champions League knockout match rather than the group stage. The game finished 1-1 with both sides taking away a point from their first outing.
While the goal would have been a talking point anyway down your local or at your work, it was actually meaningful to Celtic. Lazio and Atletico Madrid are, of course, the other two sides in Group E.
Many Celtic supporters may have been unsure what outcome was best for our chances in the section. Atletico Madrid are widely viewed as the strongest team, so maybe them running away with the group would be good. That seems pretty unlikely though in a section as tough as this.
An obvious way to look at things is that Lazio and Atletico took a combined two points away from the Rome fixture. Had either side won, then three points would have come out of the game. The teams have fewer points on the board as a result of Provedel’s heroics.
If we beat Lazio (again) on October 4 we’ll move ahead of them in the standings. With Atletico hosting Feyenoord in the other game, something will have to give elsewhere too.
It strikes me as the kind of group where nine points may be good enough for last 16 qualification. While that may seem a huge ask for us right now, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that we could earn a few big wins on home soil.
All hope is not lost. But we need to learn our lessons from Tuesday night.
In other news, former Celtic hero continues bright start to managerial career
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