7 Reasons Why Celtic Should Fear Barcelona's Wrath

Celtic will be hoping for a repeat of November 7, 2012 when they take on La Liga leaders Barcelona in the second group stage match in the Champions League.

On that night, Barcelona somehow contrived to lose a match against an opposition who had only two efforts on goal in the entire game, (both scored), and a record low of 16.4 percent overall possession.

It was scandalous, but the quirks of the UCL draw have decreed that Barca can take retribution on the Hoops less than a year after the previous debacle.

Can lightning strike twice?

Let's take a look at why Celtic should be very fearful of Barcelona.

Current Form

As we approach the group stages, it's clear which team are in form.

Despite two sloppy goals conceded against Valencia, Barcelona have been back to their old selves. A 7-0 opening-day rout of Levante was a record score on the first La Liga weekend.

Two hard-fought draws with Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa and an away win at Malaga have seen a perfect start to the season for the Blaugrana.

Although Celtic find themselves second in the SPL, the manner in which they have reached that position has been far from impressive.

A late goal from Anthony Stokes saw them scrape past Dundee United in their last game, and a draw against Inverness Caledonian Thistle was only achieved through another late contribution, this time from Adam Matthews.

Stokes was also the saviour in the opening-day win over Ross County, but once again, the Celtic faithful had to wait until the 87th minute for the winner to arrive.

Barcelona will represent a much sterner test.

Different Tactics

Gerardo Martino's decision-making thus far has been masterful—every nuance and detail covered.

He is a manager totally at ease playing whichever system is necessary against a particular opponent, a habit developed during his days at Newell's Old Boys and the Paraguayan national side.

As happy with a 3-4-3 as a 4-3-3, Martino's tactical nous and ability to switch styles at will, is in stark contrast to Tito Vilanova's rigid philosophy.

Tiki-taka or route one, expect the Argentine to have the answers to any questions that Neil Lennon's men pose this time out.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi thought Celtic were lucky to win the last time these two teams met, per Martin Domin of the Daily Mail. An injury-time goal from the Argentine was scant reward for Barcelona's possession and shot-count during the game.

With Neymar spearheading a two-pronged attack along with Messi, this should see more spaces open up for the diminutive No. 10.

He has already shown this season he is at his devastating best. Two goals against Levante on opening day followed by a first-half hat-trick at the Mestalla are all signs of a man bang in form, and when you are talking about Lionel Messi, that is a scary thought for Celtic fans.

Pressing Game

The pressing game is back.

Much of Barcelona's success this term has come from limiting their opponents' time on the ball. The constant harrying and haranguing is a feature of a Gerardo Martino side.

If there was one area in dire need of improvement during the Tito Vilanova era, it was that of the vicious high-tempo pressing game that was so much a part of his predecessor's success.

Pep Guardiola famously only allowed his players six seconds to win back the ball once lost, and while "Tata" may be slightly more forgiving, the urgency is evident in Barca's play once more.

For Celtic to be successful in this game, they will need to match Barcelona's work-rate, and that simply isn't their game.

Neymar

Neymar has already become accustomed to the battering he is going to receive from opposition defenders. You could say it goes with the territory.

It isn't beyond the realms of possibility that Celtic will try to "rough him up" a bit in the early stages of this game, in an attempt to dull the obvious threat posed by the Brazilian.

Adam Matthews is likely to be given the task of keeping Neymar's incisiveness to a minimum, and as highly rated as the young Welshman is, it's doubtful he has ever faced such quality.

Neymar's inclusion in this Barca attack makes it much more potent and dynamic, and Neil Lennon will be wary of doubling up on the Brazilian given the associated threat that Messi poses in the middle of the park.

A Wounded Animal

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, so the saying goes, and the old lady of Catalonia will still be smarting from the way in which Celtic unceremoniously dispatched her last time out.

No Barca player will need reminding of a game that is a black mark on their recent European history.

Never before had a team enjoyed 84 percent possession across the entirety of a game and still been on the losing side. It simply beggars belief to even entertain the prospect that it will happen again.

The danger signs are already there for Celtic. 

Pressure

Should Celtic have triumphed in the San Siro, then a win against Barcelona will put them in the box seat going into the next round of matches.

If they have come unstuck, then taking the points is imperative to stop them having a mountain to climb in the group.

The pressure will be on the Hoops either way, and Barca can take full advantage.

Neil Lennon seems unconcerned, as reported by Ronnie Esplin of The Independent: "The pressure is off in terms of I don't think anyone really has huge expectations on us to qualify, although some of our fans who set very high standards will be expecting that."

Lennon's words can be interpreted as nothing more than easing the tension on his players because rest assured, when it comes to kickoff, 60,000 Scots will expect nothing less than a repeat of last season.