Passing Out Parade

Mar 9 2008 Mark Guidi

Stats Prove Barca Move Ball Quicker Than Anyone

GORDON STRACHAN was stunned when he learned Barcelona made 700 successful passes against Celtic at Parkhead last month.

That was 400 more than visiting sides usually rack up at Parkhead and the Hoops boss was blown away by Barca's breathtaking use of possession in their 3-2 Champions League victory.

So that's why Strachan knew he had to pack his midfield and play with just one striker in last week's Nou Camp return.

He left out top scorer Scott McDonald and opted to go with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink as a lone frontman with Shunsuke Nakamura playing just behind him.

Celtic still lost 1-0 though and were totally outplayed by Frank Rijkaard's men, particularly in the first half when the Hoops could hardly string two passes together.

But Strachan hopes his troops have learned a valuable lesson after watching stars like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Deco and Ronaldinho spray the ball about with ease.

He said: "Barcelona are a top side and there are some interesting statistics from the first leg at Parkhead.

"They had 700 passes. Normally teams get a maximum of 300. In our last game at Parkhead, Inverness managed 217.

"Barcelona's passing is frightening and it's somethingmy players should be looking at. Over the two legs I was disappointed by the way we failed at simple stuff - passes from between 10 and 15 yards.

"My players should be looking at Iniesta and Xavi. There have to be lessons taken on board from our games against Barca. We have to learn how to control and pass the ball better.

"After the way Barcelona played in the first leg I knew we could only go with one up front over there. I made that decision right after the final whistle.

"It would have been madness to go with two strikers. They would have picked us off.

"A lot of teams play with one up. Arsenal do it and make sure there are plenty near the striker.

"Walter Smith does it often for Rangers and that's helping him produce winning football which is surely what the Rangers fans want. Playing one striker? It could just be that's the way football is going now.

"We still had one striker for most of the second half in Spain and definitely played better than we did in the first 45 minutes.

"It was good to see Mark Wilson, Gary Caldwell, Stephen McManus and Lee Naylor do well.

"Paul Hartley was solid and reliable as usual.

"Georgios Samaras has also given me something to think about in terms of the starting 11."

AC Milan knocked Celtic out in the last 16 of the Champions League a year ago before going on to win the tournament.

And Strachan feels Barca can do the same this season.

He said: "Barcelona can win the Champions League. But they leave themselves open more than other teams by having a go."

The Hoops boss rarely came up against a side as slick as the Catalans in his playing days and reckons the game has improved.

He said: "I remember the 1985 FA Cup Final when my Manchester United team beat Everton 1-0.

"Our midfield was myself, Jesper Olsen, Bryan Robson and Norman Whiteside. They had Trevor Steven, Peter Reid, Paul Bracewell and Kevin Sheedy. All good players.

"However, it was a horrendous match. The passing game around the world has improved."

Hoops winger Aiden McGeady is one player who could play in any company.

Teams from all over Europe are watching him yet just a year ago he was being heavily criticised and Celtic would have been tempted to sell him.

Strachan said: "Aiden received stick last year but it doesn't matter what others think of you.

"The most important thing is having the respect of your manager and team-mates.

"Aiden decided to listen to the people who could help improve his game and it has worked well this season.

"He has been very good. I'm sure Aiden will continue to improve and that's what he wants to do. He wants to go all the way."