Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli will be in charge of tomorrow’s Celtic v Benfica clash.
The 41-year-old is starting his fifth season refereeing in the Champions League and took charge of Celtic’s 1-0 defeat from Moscow Dynamo in 2009.
Rizzoli took charge of England’s Euro 2012 qualifier with France with the English media unhappy at his willingness to dish out yellow cards to their side.
Euro 2012 was Rizzoli’s first major competition and prompted comparisions to Pierluigi Collina.
Rizzoli averages 4.89 cards per game in Serie A which is one of the highest but his red card rate of 0.21 is below average.
In January 2012 he was chosen as the ‘best referee’ by the Italian Footballers’ Association (AIC) at the Oscar del Calcio awards, a similar award is unlikely in Scotland due to lack of suitable candidates.
Celtic’s build up to the match is likely to be dominated by injuries news with almost a full team sidelined from Saturday’s defeat at St Johnstone.
Joe Ledley and Beram Kayal are unlikely to be fit in time reducing Neil Lennon’s midfield options.
Both men haven’t played since the 2-0 win away to Helsingborg last month with Filip Twardzik and Paddy McCourt also rated doubtful for the match.
The arrival of new signing Efe Ambrose could give Lennon the option to play Charlie Mulgrew in midfield.
Benfica are expecting to find out today if the two month domestic suspension imposed on defender Luisao is applied internationally.
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I think we could maybe introduce one of the new strikers and play Commons on the left for his deliveries to feed Miku or Lassad. That way we’re keeping Mulgrew in defence for some intellegence at least. I don’t want that Rogne anywhere near Parkhead on Wednesday lol that is a heartbreak and liability waitin to happen. At least Wilson has pace which is a decent attribute in European football with the through balls that are attempted more often imo.
FF1, Matthews.2, Wilson.6, Mulgrew.21, Izaguirre.3; Forrest.49, Brown.8, Wanyama.67, Commons.15,Miku.7 or Lassad.11 & Hooper 88 would be my team, however I’ve a feeling he might use Mulgrew in mid-field and have 3 central mid-fielders which isn’t a bad thing and play Forrest and Commons feeding and supporting Hooper.
Probable team; FF,Matthews, Thomas “aw naw” Rogne, Wilson; Izaguirre, Forrest, Brown, Wanyama, Mulgrew, Commons; Hooper.
HH 1NL YNWA
Hun with a whistle he’s just a hun with a whistle there al the same LOL hail hail