Yes, it was a loss, but by God, we gave them a fright.
It was a night of ‘if only’s’.
If only Giakoumakis took a touch instead of knocking it to Abada.
If only Abada hadn’t snatched at his chance.
If only McGregor’s post rattler was 2 millimetres to the right.
If only Maeda toe-poked his effort past Thibaut Courtois.
And I haven’t even mentioned Hatate’s thunderous strike that the Madrid keeper could only punch away to safety.
I’m realistic. All week in the build-up to the match I was talking about how a draw would be a great result but that was more in hope than expectation because, let’s face it, for any team to take anything from Los Blancos, you have to be really special.
And for 60 brilliant minutes, Ange’s team was.
In the first half, we looked comfortable, we looked good on the ball and we showed some real attacking intent. Yes, Madrid had the bulk of the possession but it is a testament to the Bhoys that they only managed one shot on target when Joe Hart kept out Vinicius Junior as half-time approached.
Post match, Ancelloti said the first half left him ’embarrassed’ [BT Sport] as Celtic went toe to toe with his side and whatever he said during the break certainly worked as Madrid slowly, but surely, stamped their authority on the game.
The difference between the sides (after from a few hundred million pounds worth of talent) was that Madrid did what we failed to do.
Take their chances.
There was no embarrassment last night. There was no shame in that loss.
Only pride and lessons that will be learned when Leipzig and Donetsk come to visit Celtic Park.