Playing for 90
Fansided

5 Reasons Celtic will beat Barcelona

By Ryan Willox

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Celtic player Tony Watt (l) scores the second goal watched by Barcelona player Javier Mascherano during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park on November 7, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Celtic player Tony Watt (l) scores the second goal watched by Barcelona player Javier Mascherano during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park on November 7, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Moenchengladbach, Germany 01.11.2016, UEFA Champions League – 2016/17 Season, Group C – Matchday 4, Borussia Moenchengladbach – Celtic Glasgow, feature, Moussa Dembele (CGL) erzielt das 1:1 gegen Yann Sommer (BMG) per Elfmeter (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Moenchengladbach, Germany 01.11.2016, UEFA Champions League – 2016/17 Season, Group C – Matchday 4, Borussia Moenchengladbach – Celtic Glasgow, feature, Moussa Dembele (CGL) erzielt das 1:1 gegen Yann Sommer (BMG) per Elfmeter (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

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

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.

Home/Champions League