Celtic 1-3 AC Milan: Jens Petter Hauge strike breaks hearts in Glasgow
For Celtic the last cut was the deepest. Down and out at half-time Scotland’s champions were pushing hard for the most unlikely of Europa League points when Milan substitute Jens Petter Hauge inflicted an injury time wound from which there was no recovery,
For Neil Lennon the goal must have felt like the plunging of a dagger. Under growing pressure after Saturday’s woeful defeat to Rangers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and co inflicted the first back to back defeats on a Celtic team since December 2018. How they stop the rot is now the burning question.
Sunday’s trip to on-form Aberdeen in the SPFL Premiership has suddenly become huge. Amongst supporters misgivings over the manager’s ability to draw a tune from his players are growing at a rate of knots and a midday game at Pittodrie now holds precious little appeal.
As Celtic pressed late on, Jens Petter Hauge capitalised by breaking through to slot home
Mohamed Elyounoussi sparked hopes of a comeback with his second half headed goal
Anything less than a victory will place Celtic’s manager in a dangerous place. If his side play as they did in the second half here they have half a chance. Play as they did in the first and they’re done for.
Last season Celtic finished top of their Europa League group after home and away wins over Lazio. While Italian opposition proved a tougher nut to crack here, much of the damage was entirely self-inflicted.
From the shape to the personnel Lennon now faces a battle to convince supporters – and directors – that he can turn this around. Continue to defend as they have against Rangers and Milan and that looks a forlorn hope.
A 3-5-2 formation has now been brutally exposed in the last two games. A decision to go again with the same shape in the first half here was either an act of defiance or an act of self harm. Whichever it was, the Parkhead side remain porous. Once again, the goals they lost were alarming – raising further questions over the recruitment in the recent transfer window.
Former Man City wonderkid Brahim Diaz celebrates after scoring Milan’s second of the game
Diaz was on target to slot home and put Milan in the driving seat on the cusp of half-time
Shane Duffy arrived in Glasgow with a high loan fee, a hefty wage and a reputation for no-nonsense defending.
Yet the Republic of Ireland defender was guilty of playing Conor Goldson onside for a meat and drink header for the goal which set Rangers on the way to victory in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat.
This time, at least, Celtic went a bit longer without conceding a goal from a header. It was only ever a matter of time.
Duffy was unconvincing once more when Milan scored with their first attempt on goal. Yet again it was a ridiculously easy affair, the on-loan Brighton man misjudging Samuel Castollajo’s floated left foot cross in the 14th minute.
Bosnian midfielder Rade Runic had time and space to outjump young Stephen Welsh and float a header into the far corner for 1-0.
Criticise the goals Celtic lose these days and Vasilis Barkas usually merits a mention. So it was here.
To say the Greek international blundered for the opener would be over-stating the case.
Yet neither does he look capable of making the kind of match-winning saves Fraser Forster made his calling card. At a cost of £5million he really should be.
Despite the dismal display against Rangers Albian Ajeti and Leigh Griffiths were the only changes made to the starting eleven, the pair forging a new partnership in place of Patryk Klimala and Moi Elyounoussi.
Rade Krunic had opened the scoring for Milan after nodding home inside the area
The £5million Swiss international could have put the home side ahead after five minutes, taking a pass after a surging Kris Ajer run and making space for a blocked shot. The ball broke to Olivier Ntcham on the edge of the area, the Frenchman’s left foot strike held comfortably by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Milan’s goal whipped the wind from Celtic sails quickly. Growing in confidence, the Serie A leaders took the game by the scruff of the neck. In contrast the seeds of doubt were taking root within Scotland’s champions.
The second goal came two minutes before half-time. Yet again the defending was abysmal.
From the off Zlatan Ibrahimovic oozed quality and class. The Swedish superstar sent Theo Hernandez galloping in behind an advanced back line.
The striker looked up rolled the ball right to Brahim Diaz. Shane Duffy in front of him and Callum McGregor racing back to help, the winger had work to do yet, but still managed to force a shot low into the corner past the static Barkas.
The Celtic keeper had only two things to do in the first half. Both of them involved picking the ball out of the net.
Neil Lennon had to change things at half-time. A first start for Griffiths since March ended at half-time the striker and defender Stephen Welsh making way for Ryan Christie and Mohammed Elyounoussi.
The changes involved a switch to 4-1-4-1. Not before time was the cry.
Celtic looked more comfortable with their new shape.
They posed a rare threat to the Milan goal when the rugged, no nonsense Laxalt almost pulled one back against his parent club, slashing a bouncing Elyounoussi over the bar on the half volley from 12 yards.
Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was in action in Glasgow, as Milan hunted maximum points
The introduction of Tom Rogic for Scott Brown was a sign of how little Celtic had to lose now. They needed a foothold back in the game. The replacement of the captain seemed to add a spring to their step
The opening Celtic craved finally arrived from a corner kick 15 minutes from time.
Ibrahimovic had already left the fray, coach Stefan Pioli clearly calculating that the game was won.
Winning a rare corner Ryan Christie swung the ball into a crowded area, Elyounoussi losing the number eight Sandro Tonali to bullet a downward header into the net.
Give Celtic their due. They put in a hell of an effort to grab the unlikeliest of points.
As the board went up for three minutes Ntcham made space to drag a low shot inches wide of the right hand post.
Any illusion of a Celtic fight-back was snuffed out with the last act of the night. The Milan substitutes which threatened to cost the Italians a win came good when Alexis Saelemaekers threaded a pass through for Jens Petter Hauge.
The number 15 easily outstripped Duffy for pace before calmly slotting past Barkas to scenes of jubilation on the Milan bench. On their last visit to Glasgow’s east end the Rossenieri comfortably overpowered a defence featuring Virgil van Dijk 3-0. This was better. But not much.
