FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.02.2008 23:00

Ronaldinho back in starting line-up

Roger Bogunyà

Ronaldinho returned to the starting line-up against Celtic after an absence of two month. The last match he started was against Real Madrid on 23rd December. The Brazilian celebrated his comeback with a good performance.

Ronaldinho has made a gradual return to the team after injury. He played a few minutes against Villarreal in the Cup and against Osasuna, Sevilla and Zaragoza in the league, in all cases coming on in the second half. He made a match-winning contribution against Zaragoza last weekend and was rewarded with a place in the starting eleven against Celtic. He put in a good performance and created a lot of danger down the left flank of the Barça attack.

Touré Yaya also returns

Midfielder Touré Yaya, who played the second half against Zaragoza, also returned to the starting line-up in Scotland after missing a number of matches due to the African Cup of Nations. This was his first start since the away win against Mallorca (0-2) on 5th January.

Second defeat for Celtic against Barça

This was Celtic’s first home defeat in Europe since Barça won at Celtic Park on 15th September 2004. Barça’s win on Wednesday night came after Celtic had won all three of their group home matches.

Only away win

Barça are also the only team to win away from home in the first leg of the knockout round. Milan, Manchester and Chelsea all had to settle for away draws.

Messi, top scorer in Champions League

Messi’s two goals against Celtic have shot him to the top of the ranking of goal scorers in this season’s Champions League with six goals.