The Hoops were subjected to a 7-0 trouncing when they faced the Catalan giants at the Nou Camp in September.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told BBC Sport that September’s 7-0 defeat to Barcelona has improved rather than harmed his Hoops side, as they prepare to welcome their decorated Champions League group rivals to Celtic Park for the reverse fixture on Wednesday night.
Celtic embarked upon their Champions League group C campaign by travelling to Catalonia to face the reigning La Liga champions, hoping that they could spring a surprise on Luis Enrique’s side to get their first elite European campaign since 2014 off to a dream start.
Unfortunately for the Hoops, their hopes of pulling off an unlikely upset were swiftly laid to rest following Moussa Dembele’s pivotal first-half penalty miss, as Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar – the hottest attacking trident in European football – ran riot to inspire Barcelona to a comprehensive 7-0 victory.
Despite admitting to learning some harsh lessons from the humbling defeat, eternal-optimist Rodgers is adamant Celtic have improved as a result of their painful reverse at the Nou Camp, insisting that it has expedited his squad’s development.
“We clearly showed them too much respect on the field,” Rodgers told BBC Sport
“There were many different aspects of the game we learned from, showing that courage to get on the ball, having that bravery, having respect for the opponent, but not necessarily within the game.
“The scoreline was bitterly disappointing, but the players have shown they’ve learned from it; we’re playing them at home, so it’s a real good measure and our mentality will change.
“So lots of learning came from that, lots of development both in terms of our team mentality and our game, came from that performance.
“At the time of course, I said it was very disappointing but it hasn’t harmed us, if anything, it has only improved us a group and as a squad.”
Celtic showed that they can mix it with Europe’s big boys during their exhilarating 3-3 draw with Manchester City at the end of September.
Rodgers’ side played with a breakneck tempo against the Citizens that evening, giving Guardiola’s men next to no time in possession and forcing them into a myriad of defensive errors; a ploy which reaped dividends and almost yielded a sensational victory.
They will have to perform to an even higher standard if they are to gain revenge against Luis Enrique’s irrepressible Barca outfit on Wednesday night, however, the Hoops only have to cast their minds back to 2012’s infamous 2-1 home triumph over the Spanish behemoths for evidence that they are fully capable of gaining a result should they perform to their full potential.
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