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Top of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Luca Castellazzi
Inter
Inter
Flop of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Thiago Motta
Inter
Inter
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Inter 2-0 Celtic: Castaignos & Pazzini grab the goals as Motta is sent off in bad-tempered Dublin pre-season encounter
Neil Lennon's side slump to defeat against 10 men Serie A side who strike twice in the first half to ensure a comfortable victory
By Gill Clark
Getty Images
Celtic kicked off the first game of their Dublin Super Cup with defeat to Inter who had the edge over the Hoops, despite Neil Lennon's men having kicked off their SPL campaign last weekend.
Celtic had been given permission to postpone this weekend’s league fixture against Dunfermline, to participate in Dublin and faced a strong Inter team with Goran Pandev, Giampaolo Pazzini and Luc Castaignos all starting, whilst Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto’o watched on from the bench.
It was a feisty opening few minutes at the Aviva Stadium and Inter were quick to get into their stride, taking the lead after only seven minutes. Pandev was the instigator, sliding a great ball into Castaignos who hit it first time past Lukasz Zaluska.
A scrappy first half then ensued with Celtic having few chances. Georgios Samaras, had perhaps the best, midway through the first half he volleyed a pass from Charlie Mulgrew into the far corner but was unable to beat Luca Castellazzi who saved well.
As half-time approached there were chances at both ends, Georgios Samaras looping a head from a Cha Du-Ri cross just over the bar before Pandev again played in Castaignos but this time the Dutchman could only slide the ball wide.
The game then sparked into life in the closing minutes of the first half. Thiago Motta, who had already been booked, slid in on Scott Brown, picking up a second yellow card and an early exit for his troubles.
The sending off looked as though it could prove a pivotal moment in the match, yet seconds later the 10 men of Inter doubled their lead; Cristian Chivu sending a glorious diagonal ball into Pazzini who lobbed Zaluska to double the Italians’ lead.
Despite being a man down Inter continued to adopt an attacking approach for the second half, retaining a three man defence, and sending on Sneijder and Eto’o to replace Pandev and Castaignos.
Yet it was scrappy stuff, the game continually disrupted by free-kicks which prevented either team from getting into anything approaching a rhythm.
Indeed Inter seemed quite content simply to play the ball short and allow Celtic plenty of possession, although they struggled to break down a well-drilled defence and it took almost half an hour of the second half before they managed to fashion a chance.
Yet even when Hooper and Brown managed to tee up Anthony Stokes, at a tight angle, he couldn’t beat Castellazzi who saved well with his feet.
The SPL side continued to press but to no avail, indeed Stokes had another late chance but could only blaze his volley over the bar, as Gian Piero Gasperini’s men preserved their clean sheet and held out for victory.
| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £120.00 | Draw £12.00 | Celtic £45.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £150.00 | Draw £14.00 | Celtic £36.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £50.00 | Draw £37.50 | Celtic £16.70 |
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It was a feisty opening few minutes at the Aviva Stadium and Inter were quick to get into their stride, taking the lead after only seven minutes. Pandev was the instigator, sliding a great ball into Castaignos who hit it first time past Lukasz Zaluska.
A scrappy first half then ensued with Celtic having few chances. Georgios Samaras, had perhaps the best, midway through the first half he volleyed a pass from Charlie Mulgrew into the far corner but was unable to beat Luca Castellazzi who saved well.
As half-time approached there were chances at both ends, Georgios Samaras looping a head from a Cha Du-Ri cross just over the bar before Pandev again played in Castaignos but this time the Dutchman could only slide the ball wide.
The game then sparked into life in the closing minutes of the first half. Thiago Motta, who had already been booked, slid in on Scott Brown, picking up a second yellow card and an early exit for his troubles.
The sending off looked as though it could prove a pivotal moment in the match, yet seconds later the 10 men of Inter doubled their lead; Cristian Chivu sending a glorious diagonal ball into Pazzini who lobbed Zaluska to double the Italians’ lead.
Despite being a man down Inter continued to adopt an attacking approach for the second half, retaining a three man defence, and sending on Sneijder and Eto’o to replace Pandev and Castaignos.
Yet it was scrappy stuff, the game continually disrupted by free-kicks which prevented either team from getting into anything approaching a rhythm.
Indeed Inter seemed quite content simply to play the ball short and allow Celtic plenty of possession, although they struggled to break down a well-drilled defence and it took almost half an hour of the second half before they managed to fashion a chance.
Yet even when Hooper and Brown managed to tee up Anthony Stokes, at a tight angle, he couldn’t beat Castellazzi who saved well with his feet.
The SPL side continued to press but to no avail, indeed Stokes had another late chance but could only blaze his volley over the bar, as Gian Piero Gasperini’s men preserved their clean sheet and held out for victory.
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Goal
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Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In BST
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
5 | 1 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
5 | 0 |
|
Heiðar Helguson
Striker QPR |
5 | 0 |
|
Jason Roberts
Striker Blackburn |
4 | 1 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Manchester United |
4 | 0 |
