1. Moussa Dembele
Let’s be absolutely clear again and state that Celtic need all five these elements to come together, plus some poor Barca finishing, and maybe a bounce of the ball to get over the line Wednesday.
However if they do, Celtic will beat Barcelona again and the last element is the x-factor.
That x-factor is Moussa Dembele.
As mentioned previously, the Frenchman missed a penalty at 0-1 at the Nou Camp in the first meeting between the sides this season.
But, just like his manager, Dembele has evolved since then.
There is a lot of evidence – his goals for club and country, his cementing of a starting place ahead of Leigh Griffiths in the Celtic side – but the penalty pictured above speaks volumes.
Dembele both won and converted the penalty that earned Celtic a point at Borussia Park. It was a little sign, but an indication of the growing confidence and maturity of a burgeoning talent.
With Dembele deployed, Celtic will pose a problem from set-pieces, on the break and at various areas in the final third.
More from Champions League
- PSV Eindhoven v Rangers: Can Gers make it through to group stage?
- Manchester City win their first Champions League
- Champions League Final: Manchester City meets Internazionale in Istanbul
- Manchester City standing on the cusp of a treble
- Barcelona Femeni win their second Champions League title
What will give Celtic hope in the wake of the 3-3 draw with Manchester City is that they may not just have to hold on for grim life to a 1-0 for 70, 80 minutes.
In Dembele, Celtic have a genuine goal threat who works solo, or in tandem with Scott Sinclair in a tactical shift, or Griffiths from the bench.
Another reason for optimism for Celtic heading into Wednesday and hints that another great night at Paradise may be imminent.