2019-11-07: Lazio 1-2 Celtic, UEFA Cup

Trivia

Review
Celtic: Lenny, Vidi, Vici

Fans on Twitter: Sorted the back 4, top of the league, League cup final, Qualified for Europa last 32. If you still doubt our leader then what you are looking for is not realistic. We are lucky to have Lenny as our manager HH

Neil Lennon: “I said to the players, if you can build something, they will come and they have come in their thousands, and it’s a great night for them. It’s a great night for us all, really and we should bottle it and hold on to it.”

Lennon: “Realistically it’s going to be very difficult to win here. We haven’t won in Italy but records are there to be broken”

Lennon: “I hope all Celtic fans are really proud of the team because I know I am?”

Stan Collymore: "A black muslim scored the winner for Celtic, witnessed by the Fascist Ultras of Lazio. Sometimes, God really does shine his light in some fantastic ways. "Un buon fascista è un fascista morto""

“Lazio have players who are supposedly worth £70million so we had to up our game. We had to go and take our game to them and we did that." Scott Brown

Ntcham: “Winning in Italy, breaking a record – that’s great news for everybody involved with the club.”

Fraser Forster:
"Until you see Celtic in person and see how big a club it is, people maybe don’t understand."

Jim Spence (journo on twitter)
And Lo their prayers were answered, and the lord did smite the lazonians with a couple of tasty goals, which made them to gnash their teeth and beat their breasts in anguish. That’ll teach you to support Mussolini echoed round the heav

(mikebhoy of KDS)
Hand on heart, thought we were in for a shellacking when we conceded early but we'd played our way back into it well before Forrest's goal. I did rather foolishly say that when we were doing really well in the second half we had to make it count as we didn't have anything on the bench to make a difference for us :ffs: 😆

Fatalistically I was waiting for the late kick in the baws we always seem to suffer when we play in Italy (Milan about three times that I can think of, Juventus under MON etc) and when Bauer came on I immediately thought "uh oh. Here comes the gaffe/penalty/OG" which is terribly unfair on Herr Bauer. Only made the late winner all the more enjoyable :clap:

No real failures on the night, special praise for the much-maligned Hayes though, he was copping a ridiculous amount of stick pre match and when we went 1 down. He never hid and run his guts out all night, was always available on the overlap and put in a shift defensively.

Best European away result since Moscow, maybe the win in the qualifiers in Amsterdam under MON. I was convinced we'd get a doing, beat Rennes and then be having to go to Cluj to make sure of even qualifying – now we're talking realistically about winning the group

Teams

Lazio

• 1Strakosha
• 3Ramos Marchi
• 93Vavro · Substituted forBerishaat 82'minutes
• 33Acerbi
• · 29Lazzari
• · 16Parolo
• · 6Leiva
• · Substituted forRomero Alconchelat 58'minutes
• · 21Milinkovic-Savic
• · 22Rodríguez Menéndez Substituted forLulicat 58'minutes
• 20CaicedoBooked at 42mins
• 17Immobile

Substitutes

• 4Gabarrón Gil
• 7Berisha
• 10Romero Alconchel
• 15Jacinto Quissanga
• 19Lulic
• 23Guerrieri
• 34Adekanye

Goals

• Immobile (7' minutes)

Celtic

• 67Forster
• 49Forrest · Substituted forBauerat 89'minutes
• 33Elhamed · Substituted forBittonat 83'minutes
• · 2Jullien
• · 35Ajer
• · 15Hayes
• · 17Christie Substituted forNtchamat 77'minutes
• 8BrownBooked at 51mins
• 42McGregor
• 22Edouard
• 27Elyounoussi

Substitutes

• 1Gordon
• 3Taylor
• 6Bitton
• 11Sinclair
• 13Bauer
• 16Morgan
• 21Ntcham

Goals

• Forrest (38' minutes),
• Ntcham (90'+5 minutes)

Referee:
Tobias Stieler
Attendance:
26,155

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

• Match Pictures

Forum

• Pre-match
• Match
• Post Match

MOTM

• Voting Thread
• Result Thread
• Winner –

Stats

Lazio
Celtic

Possession
Home57%
Away43%

Shots
Home15
Away12

Shots on Target
Home6
Away4

Corners
Home8
Away5

Fouls
Home9
Away9

Articles

Lazio 1 – 2 Celtic: Olivier Ntcham nets late winner to hand Celtic historic win in Rome and secure knockout qualification

James Forrest hit a fine equaliser for Celtic. Picture: Getty
James Forrest hit a fine equaliser for Celtic. Picture: Getty
Joel Sked
Email
Published: 19:52 Thursday 07 November 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/lazio-1-2-celtic-olivier-ntcham-nets-late-winner-to-hand-celtic-historic-win-in-rome-and-secure-knockout-qualification-1-5041792A stunning end to Celtic's visit to Lazio saw Olivier Ntcham give Neil Lennon's men a famous win and earn qualification to the Europa League knockout stage.

The visitors, backed by at least 8,000 raucous fans, were on the back foot from the off with Ciro Immobile opening the scoring after seven minutes.

They dug in and started to give as good as they got with Forrest netting a fine equaliser. The second half was a topsy-turvy affair with both teams having chances to win it.

And it was Celtic who did it in the 95th minute of the match, pouncing on slack play from the home side with Ntcham showing his class to chip in the winner, handing the club their first ever win in Italy.

It was a difficult start for the vistors as they came under pressure immediately from the Italians.

Fraser Forster had to be alert to an effort from Manuel Lazzari after two minutes but there was nothing he could do about the goal which arrived five minutes later.

Left all alone at the back post, Immobile, one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe, volleyed home from close range.

It was a case of hanging in there for Neil Lennon's men as Immobile nearly escaped free before Christopher Jullien was close to heading past Forster.

The visitors steadied, growing into the game with Elyounoussi, Ryan Christie and Forrest motoring forward to support Odsonne Edouard.

And, of course, when the goal arrived it was Forrest. Slipped through by Elyounoussi on the right, he composed himself before smashing a shot across Thomas Strakosha and into the corner.

Come half-time, Celtic were somewhat fortunate to still be level. Lazio had three chances within a minute. Forster was required to save before Jullien cleared off the line after the goalkeeper missed a corner. Then, the third, saw Marco Parolo direct a great chance over the bar with his head.

The second half was quite a contest.

Celtic were first to go close, Edouard sending a shot into the stomach of Strakosha. It became end-to-end after that. Poor decision making cost the visitors from edging ahead after getting into promising positions on the counter-attack.
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Just as the game seems like tipping one way it goes the other.

Lazio hit the post direct from a corner after Forster was forced to beat away a close-range header from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Then with just over ten minutes remaining, Edouard gets the chance he has been waiting for after a fine lay-off from Elyounoussi. The Frenchman opened his body, ready to pass the ball into the bottom corner, but sent the shot agonisingly wide.

With Lazio seemingly not playing a defence as the game entered the closing stages, their pressure brought about two fine chances. Substitute Valon Berisha fired at Forster before the Celtic No.1 produced a fine save from another substitute, denying Luis Alberto.

The huge and impressive Celtic support at the Stadio Olimpico for Lazio Europa League clash

Celtic fans at the Stadio Olimpico. Picture: Getty
Celtic fans at the Stadio Olimpico. Picture: Getty
Joel Sked
Email
Published: 18:07
Updated: 18:14 Thursday 07 November 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/the-huge-and-impressive-celtic-support-at-the-stadio-olimpico-for-lazio-europa-league-clash-1-5041747
Celtic's travelling support in Rome's Stadio Olimpico is quite the picture.

Officially 8,000 are in the stadium to back Neil Lennon's men against Lazio in the Europa League with thousands more having travelled.

The Italian side have been hit with a partial stadium closure following racist abuse from fans during a Europa League fixture with French side Rennes.

Yet, that has not dulled the atmosphere in the Italian capital, aided by the huge band of Celtic fans.

A picture taken by The Athletic writer Kieran Devlin highlights the sheer numbers and colour of the travelling support.

Celtic fans created a raucous atmosphere in the previous match between the sides last month as Lennon's side came from a goal down to win 2-1.

However, it has been a difficult time for the Celtic support in Rome with two being stabbed in an Irish bar in the city by masked thugs.

Celtic: History makers, match atmosphere, excellent Elyounoussi – 5 takeaways from huge win over Lazio

Joel Sked
Email
Published: 21:32
Updated: 21:37 Thursday 07 November 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-history-makers-match-atmosphere-excellent-elyounoussi-5-takeaways-from-huge-win-over-lazio-1-5041845
Celtic knew their first-ever win in Italy would all but secure them progression from Europa League Group E, into the knockout stages. In certain circumstances it would confirm qualification. It would mean being 13th-time lucky. It did not look like going that way to begin with but Neil Lennon's men are made of something special. The control and game intelligence brought in by Brendan Rodgers has married with Lennon's enthusiasm, aggression and Celtic-ness. It has produced a formidable side

In two consecutive games they have gone behind against one of Italy's biggest sides and in two consecutive games against one of Italy's biggest sides they have won. Such results don't usually happen with Scottish sides. Yet, here they are in the knockout stages with two games to spare – no Scottish side has ever done that before, whether it is in the Champions League, Europa League, Uefa Cup or even Intertoto Cup. The way in which they did so made it even more special, dragging themselves back into the game then going toe-to-toe with Simone Inzaghi's side. They could easily have got the winner before Olivier Ntcham steeped off the bench and chipped in a quite glorious winner. That is a point in itself. Celtic can afford to bring a player of Ntcham's calibre off the bench. Away to Lazio. This will be remembered for a long time.

Majestic Mohamed
Celtic players celebrate the winning goal against Lazio. Picture: Getty
Celtic players celebrate the winning goal against Lazio. Picture: Getty

At Celtic Park, in the match between these two teams, this writer wrote about the paucity of Elyounoussi's performance and how, for someone who cost so much and with the experience he has gained in Europe, he should be stepping up on the big occasions. Talk about stepping up, he sure showed me. Celtic had struggled early on, including the Norwegian, but he helped drag the side into the game and up the park with his movement and willingness to work off the ball. Once in the final third he produced the moments of class. He slid in James Forrest with a perfectly weighted pass for the equaliser and should have set up the winner when he casually turned the ball into the path of Odsonne Edouard but the Frenchman shot past the post. There was a sense that every time he got on the ball he would make something happen. It is now at the point where it's the case of 'Scott who?' (Scott Sinclair). The 25-year-old is being so influential off the left or even through the middle as happened tonight. He's now hit six goals in his last six appearances with a couple of assists as well.

READ MORE: 'Can see why he is a £16million player' – How the Celtic players rated in their famous win over Lazio

Atmosphere

Much had been made of Celtic's trip to Lazio. It started with some talking down to the club's support for calling out Lazio and their racist and fascist fans. There were warnings and advice for those travelling to Rome for the second encounter and suggestions that all the banners did was antagonise the Italian 'ultras'. Then it was almost a case of 'I told you so' when two travelling supporters were stabbed by two masked thugs. Yet, this is not a new thing in Rome. British football fans are often targeted by 'ultras' or, let's be honest, cowards. However, the match itself produced a wonderful atmosphere, complete with flares (adding to the spectacle), flags and abuse going back and forth despite large gaps in the stadium due to a partial ground closure due to racist abuse from Lazio fans during their Europa League game with Rennes. With officially 8,000 fans, Celtic made their voice heard loud and clear. None more so with the explosion which greeted Ntcham's winner.
Celtic fans made quite the racket in Rome. Picture: Getty
Celtic fans made quite the racket in Rome. Picture: Getty

READ MORE: Why the Celtic support were right to send a particular message to Lazio

Formidable Forster

Fraser Froster was the matchwinner when Celtic beat Lazio 2-1 last month. There was an incredible point-blank save from Marco Parolo before a flying save to his right in stoppage time to prevent the visitors from scoring. Yet, even Neil Lennon mentioned that he wasn't sure about his goalkeeper for the opening goal as the goal flashed right past him. In the Stadio Olimpico there were fragile moments. A punch straight up in the air when he could have easily caught under little pressure before missing a later cross completely. Then there was an early save where he parried into the middle of the box, the ball falling to an offside Felipe Caicedo. Yet, when it really matters he stands up and stands tall. In the second half he showed his excellent attributes, beating away a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic header from close in, denying Valon Berisha then turning away a Luis Alberto effort. He has his moments but more often than not he produces between the sticks.
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'Can see why he is a £16million player' -…
Sloppiness

Neil Lennon confirmed emphatically to BT Sport before the game that Celtic would be matching their opponents' 3-5-2 with Jonny Hayes and James Forrest as wing-backs. The Northern Irishman switched to a back three at Parkhead in the first meeting between the sides which worked. It didn't get off to a good start with Hayes allowing too much time and space for a cross to find Ciro Immobile, with James Forrest nowhere near him, who volleyed past Fraser Forster. More than anything, however, was the sloppiness to Celtic's play, most notable their passing. There were passes which were too short and too long. Passes which were intercepted and passes which rolled out of play. It was best summed up in the 21st minute when Odsonne Edouard made a movement to run in behind but Mohammed Elyounoussi passed it short. There was a disconnect that Celtic won't be able to get away with further in tournament.

BBC

By Kheredine Idessane

BBC Scotland at Stadio Olimpico

From the section European Football 379

Olivier Ntcham's 95th-minute goal put Celtic into the last 32 with two games to spare
Olivier Ntcham's 95th-minute goal put Celtic into the last 32 with two games to spare

Olivier Ntcham's dramatic stoppage-time strike earned Celtic a stunning win over Lazio and a place in the Europa League last 32 with two games to spare.

Serie A's top scorer Ciro Immobile had given Lazio the lead with an unopposed back-post volley, but James Forrest lashed in his 11th goal of the season just before the break to level.

Neil Lennon's side had to defend stoutly after the break and looked like they would earn a point until Ntcham ran on to an Odsonne Edouard pass to secure Celtic's first win in Italy.

It is the second time in two weeks that the Scottish Premiership side have stunned Lazio with a late winner, Christopher Jullien's header earning victory in Glasgow two weeks ago.

It also means that their games with Rennes at Celtic Park and against Cluj in Romania will now only decide whether they win the group or not.

'Lazio win ranks just behind Barca'
How the final five minutes in Rome unfolded
Celtic fans' bus ambushed in Rome

Famous victory for Roman lions to savour

When you haven't ever beaten an Italian side in their own country, the last thing you want to do is give them a helping hand. The concession of a goal inside seven minutes to the predatory instincts of Immobile rendered a tricky task more akin to mission impossible.

Several key Celtic players looked ill at ease in a 3-5-2 formation in which Forrest and Jonny Hayes were deployed as wing-backs and struggled to adapt, not helped by the players in front of them constantly giving the ball away. The Irishman in particular looked like a fish out of water as Lazio pinpointed a perceived weakness in their opponents.

Keeping the deficit at just a single goal for half an hour was a minor triumph as pressure from the impressive Immobile almost led to an own goal when Jullien headed narrowly past Fraser Forster's left-hand post. There were other moments when a frantic Celtic back line had to do some last-ditch defending to keep the marauding hosts out.

Slowly but surely, the visitors found their feet. Twice Mohamed Elyounoussi made threatening advances but failed to find a final product.

And just before the break, a moment of magic that would have graced any arena. The pass from Elyounoussi to Forrest, in behind the Lazio defence. A rocket of a shot into the top right-hand corner of Thomas Strakosha's net. Wild celebrations from nearly 10,000 visiting fans who hadn't had anything to get excited about prior to that.
Table

Parity celebrated five minutes before the break, and only preserved by a wonderful save by Forster from a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic header, and then an even better goal-line clearance by Jullien to deny Felipe Caicedo as Lazio tried to hit back straight away. In a frantic minute or two, Marco Parolo then headed over when he could, and probably should, have scored.

A half of two halves, if you will, and a blessed relief for Lennon to get his men in for half-time still on level terms with a very dangerous-looking opponent.

That said, had Edouard taken an early second-half chance, this game could have been completely turned on his head. A dodgy clearance by Strakosha gifted Celtic the ball and when Edouard was played in, the Albanian goalkeeper made amends with a strong save from the French striker's shot.

More Celtic pressure drew a mistake from Lucas Leiva, which allowed Forrest to break clear. But with Hayes and Edouard screaming for a pass, the Scotland forward fancied a second goal but his effort was blocked by a defender, much to Edouard's fury.

The dynamic of the match had changed completely; the meek start made by Celtic a distant memory, fading as quickly as the smoke from the pyrotechnics which were on show before a ball was kicked. Uefa has punished Celtic for that before and seem almost certain to do so again.

The fireworks on the field were coming from the yellow-shirted visitors. Some fabulous build-up play involving Christie, McGregor and Forrest left Edouard with the ball inside the Lazio box. However, he couldn't control it and a most presentable chance was gone in an instant.

It was almost instantly regretted too, as Forster once again kept out a Milinkovic-Savic header with an impressive point-blank save. All of a sudden, Lazio seemed to regain their belief. Substitute Luis Alberto nearly scored straight from a corner; the ball ballooned back off Forster's near post as Celtic breathed a sizeable sigh of relief.
James Forrest's superb European form

And then came what felt like 'the' chance. Elyounoussi's pass to Edouard was inch-perfect, inviting the Frenchman to race into the left-hand side of the penalty area. His curling shot slipped agonisingly wide. Would there be a better opportunity all night?

Edouard tried to make amends with a free-kick moments later but again was narrowly off target, this time over the crossbar. This was a half full of passion, pride and no little skill from Celtic. A pulsating contest which ebbed first one way and then another with both defences having plenty of work to do to subdue some smart attacking play from both sets of forwards.

No more so than when a great, late chance presented itself for Lazio's Luis Alberto, only for the powerful left hand of Forster to keep Celtic level.

And then the moment of history. Another Lazio mistake gifted Edouard the ball, and he played in fellow Frenchman Ntcham, whose delicious chip took Celtic through and sent their jubilant fans away into the Roman night delirious.

The first time Celtic have ever won on Italian soil, and only the second time ever they've beaten an Italian side away from home. The other time was that famous night in Lisbon in 1967. These Roman lions in Celtic shirt may not be remembered as long, but they'll savour a famous, famous victory. And rightly so.
Man of the match – Fraser Forster

Immobile and Milinkovic-Savic were standouts for Lazio. Forrest had a good game and scored an excellent goal for Celtic.

But for providing several top-class saves at vital moments – a bit like he did in the last meeting against the Italians at Celtic Park – the award goes to Forster. Celtic deserved to take something from this game and the Englishman was the man who helped deliver it with a wonderful late save, and several more earlier in the match.
Fraser Forster celebrates
Fraser Forster made a magnificent save from Lazio's Danilo Cataldi in added time at Celtic Park two weeks ago to ensure his side held on for a 2-1 win. He was inspired again in Rome
Match stats

Celtic have recorded three consecutive victories in the Uefa Cup/Europa League for the first time since November 2002, when they won six in a row on their way to the Uefa Cup final
Forrest netted his fourth goal in his past six appearances in all competitions for Celtic, after scoring only twice in nine games for the club beforehand
Lazio have only won one of their past eight games in the Europa League (W1 D0 L7), failing to keep a clean sheet on each occasion
Celtic won away from home against Italian opposition in European competition for the first time, with this being their 13th attempt at doing so
Within the top five European leagues, only Robert Lewandowski (21) has scored more goals across all competitions than Lazio's Immobile (15) this season.

BBC
Lazio 1-2 Celtic: Neil Lennon says win 'just behind beating Barcelona'

From the section Celtic

Lennon hails 'historic' Celtic win in Rome

Celtic's stunning stoppage-time Europa League win over Lazio in Rome ranks "just behind Barcelona" in his time as the club's manager, says Neil Lennon.

On the seventh anniversary of their 2-1 Champions League win over Barca, Celtic came from behind to secure a place in the Europa League last 32.

Olivier Ntcham's 95th-minute strike sealed Celtic's place in the knockout stages with two group games to spare.

"This team just keeps setting new boundaries," said Lennon.

"I'm so proud of them, not just for winning the game, but the way they played – the character, the bravery and above all else, real quality."

Celtic beat Lazio to reach last 32
Celtic fans' bus ambushed in Rome
How the final five minutes unfolded

Serie A's top scorer Ciro Immobile had volleyed Lazio into a seventh-minute lead, but James Forrest lashed in his 11th goal of the season just before the break, before Ntcham's late strike won it.

The victory – against a side currently fourth in Serie A – was Celtic's first in Italy, and Lennon picked out keeper Fraser Forster, Christopher Jullien, Forrest and Odsonne Edouard for special praise.

"My goalkeeper made some great saves, which he is paid to do and he's done before, and my centre-half was incredible," said Lennon.

"Edouard had their back three in all sorts of trouble and Forrest came up with a huge goal – he was brilliant."

Lennon was also glowing in his appraisal of captain Scott Brown, not solely for his performance in Rome but for his entire Celtic career.

"At 34, he's playing some of the best football of his career," the manager said. "People talk about retiring, there's no way. He's got so much more to come in the next year to 18 months.

"He's one of the finest captains in the club's history. You see his performance tonight – that's the embodiment of what Scott Brown brings to Celtic."

Brown himself described the achievement in qualifying after four games as "exceptional".

"I think a lot of people would've written us off early doors with the Champions League elimination, but we've come back stronger, fitter and sharper," he told BBC Scotland.

"It's the first time any Celtic team has won against an Italian side in Italy so it means a lot. The lads had to dig deep at some points but we used our pace and quality on the counter-attack to win the game."
Celtic win over Lazio 'exceptional' – Brown
'They have been sensational' – reaction

Former Scotland forward James McFadden on BBC Radio Scotland

It looked as though it was going to peter out and that Celtic were quite happy with the draw. But a horrendous mistake and what a finish to the game. When Celtic played in Rennes, I thought they had nothing to fear from this group and their performances in the Europa League this season have been sensational.

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner on BBC Radio Scotland

There are times we've gone away with Celtic with great expectations and it has all fallen flat. Tonight was not one of those occasions. The way Celtic have won this match against a good Italian side in great form was just absolutely brilliant.