All the drama on the latest round of matches in the European Champions League took place at Celtic Park where the home side beat Manchester United with a Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick. The result sees Celtic qualifying for the knock-out stage of the tournament for the first time and leaves Manchester United still needing a point from their last game at home to Benfica. Though Celtic were outplayed for most of the game they held on to record a dramatic victory though they had to be thankful to their Polish goalkeeper for making a dramatic late penalty save. Celtic joined 9 other teams through to the next round – AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Lyon, PSV, Real Madrid, Valencia, Chelsea and Inter.
Of the remaining 6 places, Roma and Manchester United need ‘only’ a point to make it. Arsenal, Porto and CSKA are still battling for the two places in their group, while Lille need to better AEK from Athens to make it for the first time to the knock-out stage. However, all eyes will be on the Nou Camp as defending champions Barcelona play Werder Bremen with the home team needing a win to progress. Who is to say that last season’s two finalists will not be in the last 16 this year?
See Nakamura’s free kick here
Just imagine… A Celtic v Liverpool final! It just might happen. perhaps Rafa has a master plan after all, and has given up on the PL race to concentrate on Europe.
Nakamura’s goal was amazing. He was about to be substituted and then stepped up to score. Fantastic. Neil Lennon is dreaming of playing in the final in Athens in May, with the wonderful home support they have, why not indeed??