Valencia vs Celtic preview: First goal vital, says Brendan Rodgers
Thursday 21 February 2019 10:03, UK
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says his side must score first in their second-leg Europa League round-of-32 tie away to Valencia on Thursday (kick-off 5.55pm).
The Scottish Premiership champions trail 2-0 from last week's first-leg at Celtic Park, but Rodgers thinks the visitors can still progress to the last 16 if they strike first at Mestalla.
"We were disappointed with the result," said Rodgers. "Parts of the performance in the first leg were good, but we made a couple of mistakes that cost us
"The first goal in this game will be important. If we can get the first goal in the game, we don't need to go flying in after that. We just need to settle ourselves into the game and find our confidence.
"We know it's going to be a tough game. You can see the level that they're at and the investment, everything is there to see that they're an outstanding team.
"We have to go there with the belief and confidence that we can get a result. No matter how tough, we'll go there and if we can get the first goal it can open things up for us."
Meanwhile, Valencia boss Marcelino wants his team to be at their very best on Thursday.
Marcelino, speaking through an interpreter at the club's training ground, stressed how keen he was to have his players focused on another good performance.
He said: "Being relaxed is not good, ever. The team's mind-set should be to win, no matter what happened in the previous match.
"We are going to try any way we can to convince the players that maximum effort, maximum concentration is the way to achieve a good result which is to be in the next round.
"All matches are important. We cannot relax or think that everything is already done. We want to win again.
"Celtic have a clear way to play, a clear philosophy, if they could not do it more effectively it was because of the good job from an organisation and commitment point of view from us.
"Also, we scored at important times in the game.
"Before the first game we felt the first game would be dangerous and difficult but if it was not it was because of the wonderful job of our players. We don't believe they will change hugely.
"It is not decided. We have to have the utmost respect for Celtic.
"We don't want any surprises and the best way to avoid surprises is to think of ourselves and try to get close to our best performance and respect fully the opponents' ability."
Team news
Central defender Jozo Simunovic is back in the Celtic squad after missing Sunday's victory at Kilmarnock because he could not play on Rugby Park's artificial pitch.
However, this game comes too soon for left-back Kieran Tierney, who is nearing a comeback to first-team action, which could come as early as this Sunday.
Opta stats
- Valencia have only lost one of their previous five games against Celtic in European competition (W3 D1); winning 2-0 in the first leg of this season's Round of 32.
- Celtic haven't won a knockout game away from home in European competition since April 2003 (1-0 v Boavista in the UEFA Cup/Europa League) - they have lost seven of their eight such games since (D1), while failing to score on all eight occasions.
- Valencia are on a five-game winning streak in the UEFA Europa League at Mestalla, winning those five games by an aggregate score of 17-2.
- Celtic have never won away from home against a Spanish opponent in European competition (P17 W0 D3 L14), including losing each of their two trips to face Valencia.
- Ruben Sobrino scored on his UEFA Europa League debut for Valencia by netting in the first leg against Celtic - the last player to score in his first two appearances for the club in the competition was Santi Mina in March 2016.
Charlie's prediction
There's not too much hope for Celtic. I think it's about sitting back and hoping they get chances. I tipped Celtic to win the first leg but it was my heart over my head. Valencia don't score a lot of goals, they don't destroy you, but I think they will win this and Celtic will be out.
The way that Valencia manipulated the game in the first leg tells you the reality of where Celtic are in Europe. I wouldn't even be surprised if Brendan Rodgers makes a few changes as they have Motherwell at home at the weekend and then they go to Hearts which is a really tough match. Brendan might already be thinking about the domestic games.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
