Thursday 19 September 2013

Champions League: Celtic boss frustrated by defeat in Milan.

Neil Lennon insists his Celtic side deserved more from their opening Champions League Group H defeat by AC Milan.
Celtic were undone in the San Siro when Emilio Izaguirre deflected Cristian Zapata's shot into his own net and Sulley Muntari scored a second.

"The scoreline flatters Milan; there wasn't two goals between us at all," said Lennon.
"I felt at times we were the better team playing the better football."
The Scottish champions travel home rueing missed chances after providing the Italian giants with a stern test. Charlie Mulgrew and Georgios Samaras spurned chances before an Anthony Stokes free-kick clipped the bar.
However, two goals in a frustrating three-minute spell saw Celtic head home pointless for the 20th time in 22 away group outings. Lennon, however, claimed his players deserve more credit.
"I'm very disappointed, because for long periods of the game we were the better team," said Lennon.
"To come away from the San Siro disappointed at not picking up a point - or three points - is a mark of how well we've developed and played, but you have to take your chances when you're on top and unfortunately we didn't get the break of the ball.

The scoreline flatters Milan - there wasn't two goals between us at all

Neil Lennon
Celtic manager
"I don't know why everyone is so surprised - particularly any Scottish journalists - you've seen us play for the last 18 months. We've got an excellent side; we made the last 16 last year and that wasn't a fluke."
Milan looked frustrated for long spells and Lennon stressed that his players had travelled to Italy confident of returning home with at least a point.
The Celtic manager's attention now turns to another mouth-watering clash in Group H, at home to Barcelona on 1 October.
"We were in good spirits coming into the game and we fancied ourselves to get some kind of result coming away from here," said Lennon. "It heightens the disappointment when you play so well.
"We have Barcelona coming up, who are a different animal.
"We had two epic games with them last year and I've told the players to hold on to the feeling of disappointment tonight and take it into the game in two weeks' time.
"We're here to compete and we're here to try to qualify, and nothing changes my view on that after tonight's performance."

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