Europa League Group Stages
Lille 2 (Celik 67, Ikone 75)
Celtic 2 (Elyounoussi 28, 32)
Ajeti and Frimpong had the assists for Elyounoussi's 2 goals.
Lille's first goal was from a corner when Duffy was beat for a header and Christie was ball watching at the back post. Bain didn't do overly well when trying to save either. For Lille's second Christie didn't get close enough to the cross on Lille's left, Laxalt was beat for the header, McGregor didn't stop the cross from the right hand side of the box then Ikone beat Brown to the second ball.
Celtic had an xG of 0.53 while Lille had an xG of 2.68 which was the highest of any Celtic opponents this year (rising from the previous highest in the last game versus Aberdeen). That was 2 games as a back 4 with the 2 highest NP xG's of the season.
Celtic had 9 shots with 3 being on target. Possession was 29% with 496 touches. Celtic had 0 corners and touches in the box were 12. Total Passes were 280 with a Passing accuracy of 79%. Celtic had 6 crosses.
Elyounoussi was man of the match due to the stats and 2 goals, 5 shots, 3 on target, had 54 touches, 64% passing accuracy from 22 passes, 2 key passes, 5 touches in the box, 3 successful dribbles out of 5 attempted, 3 aerials won from 5 attempted, 3 clearances, 1 interception and 5 recoveries.
Celtic continued with the 4231 but Brown came back in with Ntcham pushing in the No.10 role in place of Rogic (previous MotM).
Bitton, Barkas and Edouard came back into the squad but could only make the bench. Elhamed, Jullien and Forrest were still unavailable.
Celtic lined up with;
- Bain
- Frimpong, Duffy, Ajer, Laxalt
- Brown and McGregor
- Christie, Ntcham and Elyounoussi
- Ajeti
Rogic came on as a sub to make his 5th appearance in a row and also coming on were Welsh, Soro, Bitton and Edouard. After 5 appearances in a row in the league Turnbull was again unused in a European game (as per the other European games during this run of league appearances in a row). After 4 appearances in a row Griffiths was an unused sub.
Key notes - Celtic only had 29% possession which well lower than previous lowest of 46% v AC Milan. In fact it was only 22% for the second half. Touches 496 and passes 280 were again well lower than the previous lowest (also AC Milan game) of 648 and 438. 0 corners. Also possession in the final third 17% and final third passes was 72 which again were our lowest of the season (previous lowest was against Rangers with 24% and 134). Add in a Lille NP xG of 2.68 and you would get our worst performance of the season so far.
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