millwalls 1 - 1 celtic (381669160)

36670 punters turned up at Bocconotti Arena, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Steffen Hamburger was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Alphonse Dabin and Pit Putz. millwalls decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. They fielded: Andresen - Pecora, Fè, Pangallo, Rapaccioli - Gabrych, van Goor, Stamenov, Bregonzio - Zuylen, Bercan.

celtic had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. The following players had been chosen: Beljanski - Paeßler, Malafeev, Heusser - Croft, Merilaita, Mulargia, Brondi, Bertè - Kåsa, Christie.

celtic mostly ignored the flanks in favour of their ability to attack in the middle. A scuffle developed as players from both sides clashed following a tussle in the centre of the field 5 minutes into the match. After regaining order and consulting his linesman, the referee called millwalls's A. Bregonzio to one side and produced a red card for the player. Unfortunately for celtic, G. Kåsa was injured when the game became more physical, and he had to leave the field. H. Klein replaced him. 23 minutes had elapsed when a great chance for millwalls to take the lead after a good cross from the right found K. Stamenov alone with the keeper, but he chipped it to the wrong side of the post. The home side put themselves ahead 1 - 0 after 30 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from K. Stamenov, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. The referee showed millwalls's R. Rapaccioli the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. It was 1 - 0 at the break. millwalls claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 52 percent.

With 65 minutes played, celtic's well-worked indirect free kick caused havoc in the penalty area, and when the ball eventually fell to H. Klein he gleefully slotted the ball home to make it 1 - 1. After 66 minutes, the millwalls coach had a quick word about the tactical set-up and decided to try another approach. N. Croft came close to putting the visiting team one up 67 minutes into the match, following a solo raid down the middle, but B. Andresen managed to tip the ball to a corner. millwalls had to make a substitution after 75 minutes. K. Zuylen limped off the field and was replaced by N. Muhammed. Many thought T. van Goor ought to have been awarded a penalty 85 minutes into the game, as he went down trying to dribble around J. Beljanski after a determined run through the middle. celtic had several good opportunities to take the lead, especially 87 minutes in when H. Klein came up alone against B. Andresen who managed a block. millwalls had most of the ball, with 53 percent of possession.

A. Bercan performed admirably for millwalls. On the other hand, C. Pangallo's play was disheartening. celtic's best player was L. Christie. However, N. Croft made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 1 - 1.