I was widely predicting 3-0 last night so the result didn’t come as a disappointment. Bayern could have punished us (or pretty much any team in Europe) by more, while we could have scored a deserved consolation in the second half.
It is seldom a manager will make three changes which improve the team, but Brendan Rodgers did just that last night. Tom Rogic grabbed the stage like no other Celtic player when he replaced Stuart Armstrong. Celtic’s game plan left Leigh Griffiths isolated against towering defenders. This was never a fair fight, but plays to Moussa Dembele’s strengths. The French youth international looked back to his pre-injury best.
Patrick Roberts is our most accomplished player at unlocking packed defences, but that was never on the agenda in Munich. Instead, he most often took possession acres from goal, forcing him to dart into space before being blocked by the weight of red jerseys.
The game was more suited to James Forrest, who needs space in front of him to be at his best. The winger regularly stressed the Bayern defence and created chances.
Bayern clearly identified Cristian Gamboa as Celtic’s potential weak spot. Cristian was isolated repeatedly but used his pace and agility to put in a performance few of us expected.
When was the last time we lost three cross/header combination goals? Bayern are a tall team. Celtic played with two small(er) full backs, where they would otherwise play the ubiquitous Mikel Lustig at right. A lack of height perhaps contributed to Bayern’s third, an inexcusable free header at a set piece, but we switched off at the loss of the first two goals.
We didn’t execute our normal (simple) passing game during the first half. Lots of things can contribute to players not passing the ball, rushing their passes, or, more crucially, not making themselves available for a pass.
The most obvious contributory factor was the ability of the opposition, but the problem was not as superficial as this. We didn’t pass well during the opening period, even without Bayern pressing particularly high.
Football is a game of 1000 small decisions, where to move on the field being the most common decision. Repeatedly last night I couldn’t see good options for an easy pass for the Celtic player in possession. For Celtic to play their natural game there needs to be a close proximity between players when we are in possession.
Last night we stretched the game. Sinclair, Armstrong and Brown were too far forward, often by as little as 10 yards.
Special mention to Craig Gordon, who having picked the ball out of his net three times, kept the score from reaching the epic proportions that Arsenal recently endured at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern will be confident ahead of the game at Celtic Park in two weeks, but Celtic know they can play better. I’m sure when Brendan Rodgers looks at the Champions League table, he will concede nothing yet.
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Celtic Fans in Allianz Arena pic.twitter.com/EGbQbkWt6G
— Celtic Videos (@CelticVideo) October 19, 2017
OUR SECOND CQN PODCAST this week, featuring interviews with ex-Celts Alan Stubbs and Chris Sutton, previewing the big games this week against Bayern Munich and Hibs at Hampden on Saturday.
Stubbs gives an insight into Liam Henderson as a player and talks about where his career should go from here.
Speaking on behalf of BT Sport, Alan Stubbs also spoke about his regret at leaving Hibs, and looks ahead to the League Cup semi-final between two of his former clubs.
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Corkcelt
Vote in
Best wishes to your daughters
HH
Or reach for the stars if you prefer!!!!
Wits
Rodgers out and Moyes in
Has a ring to it
WITS- Ya rascal ye….:)
Moyes
Tactical genius
I see Michael O’Neill got banned from driving for 16 months.
Who’s going to park the bus for him against Switzerland?
Durum Tish. I’m here all week!
:)
WITS
Thought you’d like that
Hunderbirds are Gone on 19th October 2017 8:58 pm
liked that……… not a lot but I liked it
HH
DENA29
You are the late Paul Daniels scriptwriter and I claim my £10
;-)
Corkcelt—finally got to vote. Good luck to your girl.
Hunderbirds
I have been wondering about Michael O ‘Neil for a while now vis a vis drinking.
He seems to have a bit of a whiskey nose. I wonder if his drink driving arrest is a sign of a serious drink problem.
Wouldn’t wish that on anyone and certainly not trying to make light of it.
TimJim, JinkyRedStar & RayMac, Thanks a million ghuys.
WITS
I have heard nothing of any problems he may have. He pointedly made absolutely no comment to the waiting press pack, not even to say “no comment” on his departure from court.
I would say though, that drink driving, in this day and age is in no way defensible. For someone in his position, it is downright reckless. I assume he could have comfortably afforded a taxi.
His lenient sentence (a fine, as well as the ban) was down to admitting his wrongdoing at the first opportunity, it was said in court.
Major mass handbags at Everton Lyon game
Hunderbirds are Gone on 19th October 2017 9:09 pm
O you are awful……………….. no I’m not going to keep going that’s the last …..promise
HH
Punch up at Everton
big fine coming their way I think
HH
The handbags at Goodison has got the crowd up. Good edge to this game now. I now expect a sending off before full time.
HUNDERBIRDS ARE GONE. i never drink and drive i might spill it lol.
Williams equalises for Everton. He should probably have been sent off for assaulting the Lyon goalie five minutes ago.
Lyon have allowed themselves to be drawn in to a battle. With better finishing they could have been three or four up too.
Lyon reassert their superiority by scoring.
in all honesty i used to go to goodison in the 70s with my brother in law mad evertonian. remember one game evertons joe harper remember him rumnning down the wing to upend francis lee what a cheer that got. by the way went past goodison on sunday hasnt changed a bit.
The wee fracas has certainly brought the Everton game to life
still don’t care who wins loses or draws
HH
Big packy
Old pal of mine is a big Everton fan. I have been there a good few times.
Good atmosphere in one of the old fashioned English grounds. Surrounded by “Coronation Street” type housing
I want Lyon to win. They are one of my Heinz selections.
WHAT IS THE STARS. yes spot on funny thing my brother in law is anglican but a lot of catholic priests go to goodison.
CORKCELT
Vote for Niamh confirmed.
HH
Corkcelt
Long time lurker but seldom post. Just wanted to say that whenever some of the moaners come on,your posts always cheer me up as they are always positive and the words of a true Celt. Needless to say, Niamh can now add my vote to her collection
Hail Hail
HUNDERBIRDS ARE GONE on 19TH OCTOBER 2017 9:09 PM
DENA29
You are the late Paul Daniels scriptwriter and I claim my £10
;-)
And why not?
WHAT IS THE STARS went to a everton liverpool game late seventies with said brother in law. gladwys st end packed like sardines .suddenly felt something warm and wet back of my legs. i thought i was back in the jungle ktf
Watching the Everton game.
Commentator identifies a young player (Lookford??). Says he was playing non-league football recently, but enjoyed a decent spell at Charlton.
And then Everton bought him for £10 million.
The English game is mad, and actually deserves to fall apart.
What was final score with Red Star v Arsenal…anyone ?
Typical I had Lyon to win 3-1,
Ronald Koeman for Scotland job ?
Did Koeman want to sign VVD for Everton, but Everton bosses refused to pay the fee…is that true ?
HH
Goodnight hoys
just two more sleeps
C.O.Y.B.I.G.
Cork.
Another vote from a friend.
HH
For those going to Hampden by car on Saturday, John Paul Taylor has tweeted there are major roadworks around Hampden . Unfortunately , he did not specify where the roadworks are.
I know the bottom of Curtis Avenue, at the Montford pub, and junction with Aikenhead Road , is closed off.
Big packy
If I ever meet I will tell you my story about the time I had tea with the vicar before an Everton game.
Not your average pre match ritual.
And by the way “tea with the vicar “is not a euphemism!!!
Dallas
Remember when the mountford opened – served pints in dimple glasses
WHAT IS THE STARS. if your ever over for a game at parkheid. gladly come up. the guiness on me hail hail.