OF JUSTICE – 8/10 – Liam, flustered? Ha! Liam, outclassed, out-muscled? Ha! Liam not up to this level? Ha! He speets on your leetle stoopeed opeenyon, you Playstation FIFA veergeen; in a French-Gaelic accent by all accounts…Tonight only two shaky moments bookended a masterful defensive outing in the land of defensive outings. Sloppy pass early on and a stupid shirt-pull at the death to gift them a direct fee-kick around the box,
and really destroy fingernails. Those aside, the Ginger Baresi WAS Baresi; interceptions, last-ditch tackles, clearances, timing – all straight out of The Master’s defensive handbook.
All that’s further required is a bit more relish – i.e a little of the dark arts wouldn’t go amiss to unsettle his opponents a tad. But I’ll impart some of those Sunday League savages’ party tricks when I hook up with him at the next Banrndarrig ‘RA open day. Until then, there’s a long season ahead and five history-making CL matches to contend with. It’s comforting to know there’s a young underrated Irishman emminently capable of navigating Celtic through every one of them with aplomb.
UNCANNY – 8.5/10 MOTM – Draw straws across the backline for MOTM. But this baby Barca kid gets my vote tonight. First CL start, feverish atmosphere in the home of the rampant Europa League WINNERS (see that ‘winning’ bit again, Zombie lurkers? roon ye…), up against a number of Serie A playboys with goals in their eyes.And he stood up to it and more – added excellent attacking intent that edged him over everyone else; no fear to invert and push into space high up, almost the hero of the night with a sparky deflected strike that brought out a fine save. Tired like the rest as the dead hour approached but held his head up and his wits alert and was still fizzing around our box getting in the way of danger, closing down his man, maintaining discipline to see us through, unfazed. Beyond admirable. How about a buyout clause in there Pete, fhs?
CALMAC – 7.5/10 – Not tonight; no way was Calmac getting over-run and left behind. Great leadership shown, exceptional off-the-ball work-rate and prompting to keep heads up and in the game. On the ball, he demonstrated just how to ease the pressure with sensible possession, running the clock down and allowing breathers for the embattled defence. That is how you want your skipper performing in such elevated European nights; more quality input around him in the mid-to-front areas and he may have orchestrated a famous win.
Yer a stingy bassa at the best of times, but go watch the game again. Idah was way better than a 5.5.