Give Barca the chance to score seven again – and they’ll do it
JO HA NM J ALL BY has warned Celtic that Barcelona will want to put another seven goals past them in next week’s Champions League clash.
Luis Enrique’s men hammered the Hoops in the opening Group C meeting. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in the Nou Camp, while Luis Suarez grabbed a double.
The 7- 0 scoreline was the Hoops’ worst- ever result in European football.
But under Brendan Rodgers, they have taken huges strides since that night in September.
And while Barca will come to Celtic Park needing a result following their defeat to Manchester City 10 days ago, Mjallby knows from first-hand experience the Catalan superstars can be beaten.
The Swede was assistant manager to Neil Lennon back in 2012 when goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt gave the Glasgow side a famous victory.
Barca were very complimentary of the Celts’ performance that night and also fulsome in their praise of the home support.
But the Swede is quick to dismiss any idea that, because of the fine relationship between both clubs, Barca will go easy in Glasgow.
In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Post, Mjallby stressed: “Beating Barcelona four years ago is still one of my best nights in football. It’s still very much fresh in my memory.
“I suppose, in many ways, when the full- time whistle blew, we couldn’t believe we had beaten them. I was shell- shocked. But, yes, it was real.
“The Celtic players were unbelievable. They put in a tremendous effort for the 90-plus minutes and got their rewards.
“Sure, we rode our luck at times, but you have to do that against Barcelona. We defended with our lives and Fraser Forster pulled off two or three world-class saves.
“That said, our goals weren’t down to luck. They were down to preparation and practice. Our opening goal came from a setpiece. We had practised it time after time on the training ground and it paid off. Victor Wanyama scored with a header.
“We knew they would have the bulk of possession and put us under extreme pressure. But we also knew that we could exploit that on the counter- attack – and we did when Tony Watt scored with a well- taken goal to make a name for himself.
“It made for a scary final few minutes. It reminded of me of when I played for Sweden in the 2002 World Cup Finals against Argentina.
“We were 1- 0 ahead but they scored late with a Hernan Crespo goal. We just needed a draw to go through from the section to the knock-out stages and they needed to win.
“We held on but they put us under enormous pressure.
“Back then, at least, I was on the pitch and able to do something about the situation. In the game against Barcelona, I was in the technical area with Neil and I felt a little helpless.
“All we could do was to try to keep the players focused and concentrated – and also keep our fingers crossed!
“But we had to work hard that night in Glasgow. We didn’t get the victory over Barcelona for nothing.
“And it will be the same this time. Barcelona are one of the most-successful clubs in the world because they have always had players and managers who are all talented and ruthless.
“Right now, in Messi, Neymar and Suarez, they have three of the best players in the world. They love scoring goals and want to smash all sorts of records.
“Believe me, if they have the chance to score another six or seven goals in Glasgow next week, they will do it. They have an incredible desire to win.
“They will not take their foot off the gas if they get to two goals. That’s not how they operate. There will be no sympathy shown at any stage of the game. That’s the mentality they have and why they win trophy after trophy, year in, year out.”
Mjallby’s honest assessment is backed up with facts. In their time playing together at Barca in the past 28 months, between them Messi, Neymar and Suarez have scored almost 300 goals and have 150 assists.
But Mjallby – who has watched all of Celtic’s Champions League games this season – does not feel it’s a lost cause for the Hoops.
We rode our luck at times, but you have to do that against Barcelona
He continued: “I thought it was a very spirited performance from Celtic when they drew 1-1 at Borussia Moenchengladbach.
“They may have won it at the end, but Callum McGregor was just off target when he had a late opportunity.
“But they have kept themselves in with a chance of finishing in third place. I think they can defy the odds and pull it off.
“In Moussa Dembele, they have a striker capable of scoring at the highest level, while in Leigh Griffiths, they have a player hungry to score and show the manager he should be starting every single game.
“Scott Sinclair, James Forrest and Patrick Roberts provide great pace and skill in the wide areas. Scott Brown is as dependable as ever in the middle of the park.
“At the back, there is a very steady and experienced goalkeeper in Craig Gordon and strong central defenders to choose from in Toure, Lustig, Sviatchenko and Simunovic.
“Of course, Celtic will need to defend for long periods and will be camped inside their own penalty box. That’s the way it will be.
“It was the same for us back in 2012. We didn’t want to be without the ball for 75% of the game but that’s the way it turned out.
“So Celtic will need ways and ideas to combat that, then put the Barcelona defence under pressure. We all know that you can score against them – it’s just about creating the opportunities in final third.
“Group C is still quite open. Having lost at Manchester City the last time out, Barcelona will not want to drop more points to make sure they secure top spot.
“That’s what makes this task even more difficult for Celtic. But I would never rule Celtic out – especially in front of their amazing supporters.”