In what almost appeared a normal pre-season match, Celtic played Olympique Lyonnais in the final match of the Veolia Trophy. There were some fans taking in the game, with the French Government slowly allowing the safe return to fixtures for spectators. That is another matter, however. Neil Lennon had already named a youthful Celtic side against what was a full strength Lyon side meant that it was always going to be tough getting a result.
Much of the coverage ahead of Celtic’s preseason has been about the reunion with Moussa Dembele. The Frenchman, who was the scorer for Celtic on numerous occasions, took his first chance and Lyon went ahead on four minutes. There were no celebrations but the ease in which Moussa found himself open at the back post will cause some alarm for Neil Lennon, even if he did field a youthful XI.
Celtic grew into the game and almost pulled themselves level after Ntcham struck a free kick against the wall, which clipped the post before being cleared for a corner. Lyon reminded Celtic what they were capable of from the break, pulling the French side right up into Scott Bain’s box.
Celtic looked comfortable in possession but failed to penetrate the Lyon back line. Klimala showed his strength and ability by bustling into the box before, something that the manager will be glad to see.
Karamoko Dembele played Klimala through, who was crowded out by Marcelo and Denayer. The referee pointed to the spot but VAR adjudged the foul from Marcelo to be a free kick and not a spot kick. Nir Bitton’s strike from the subsequent free kick hit the wall before being sent back into Celtic’s half.
For all that Celtic were poor in defence for the opening goal, they were comfortable in possession. The youngsters – Welsh, Henderson and Robertson were all composed and calm against the pressing from Lyon.
A pass from Bitton wasn’t held up by Klimala and Lyon quickly countered, coming back and had it not been for a stumble, Guimarães would have been through.
Polish Paddy took a few kickings in the first half. Holding the ball up is new to him but he appeared to settle into it. Bringing others into the game and holding the ball up as well.
Moussa Dembele turned Elhamed and Bitton inside out. He took a brilliant touch from an aerial pass from Depay to beat Bitton then nutmegged Elhamed. He would’ve been through had it not been for Ismaila Soro who was across to make a cynical foul to halt his progress.
Dembele took a pass from Bitton with a brilliant half turn, which sparked a Celtic attack. The youngster found Klimala, who managed to squeeze it to Robertson as he appeared down the right flank. Unfortunately there was no final product and Lyon managed to clear it.
Depay made it 2-0 as Bolingoli was caught unawares. Dubois put the ball across the face of goal and the Dutchman tucked the ball into the net, leaving Scott Bain with no chance.
Just before the halftime interval, Hatem Abd Elhamed appeared to injure himself. However he carried on into the next half as Neil Lennon decided to delay his substitutions.
Celtic started the half brightly, making Lyon work by going side to side in the hope of finding an opening between the home team’s lines. Elhamed put a tricky ball into the box but Klimala couldn’t get on the end of it.
Dubois almost found Depay again but the frame of the goal/Scott Bain kept the score 2-0. Cornet smashed the ball across the goal face but Dembele couldn’t connect.
Neil Lennon decided to ring the changes shortly after the hour mark. The changes allowed Celtic to bring on his first team regulars but those that started did well, despite the score line against a good Lyon side.
Frimpong, Jullien, Ajer, Taylor, McGregor, Brown, Christie, Elyounoussi, Forrest and Edouard came on with the first team getting a run out for thirty minutes.
Straight away, Celtic came out at Lyon. Moving the ball quickly and hunting in packs to win the ball back. Elyounoussi and Forrest combined and the shot from the Norwegian stung the palms of Lopes in the Lyon nets.
James Forrest was booked for a poorly timed tackle on Marcal but Celtic appeared to be comfortable playing the ball around, eyeing a pocket of space to penetrate. Elyounoussi won a corner off of Denayer as Celtic squeezed Lyon deeper into their own half.
Jeremie Frimpong went on an impressive run, breaking between the defenders and earning a throw in deep into Lyon’s half. Celtic instead opted to recycle the ball over attempting to find Edouard, with limited supply towards the Frenchman.
A loose Jullien pass gave Cornet and Depay the opportunity to punish Celtic but Depay’s header drifted wide of the post.With 87 minutes on the clock, Moi Elyounoussi pounced after Forrest’s hold up. The Norwegian skipped past two defenders before firing the ball into the net. VAR checked but there was no infringement and the brilliant goal gave Celtic something to show for their efforts.
It was a good exercise from Celtic, getting minutes in legs ahead of the restart. Now, Moussa Dembele has outscored Alfredo Morelos in games against Celtic. Neil Lennon will be happy with what he saw in the last thirty minutes.
