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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Celtic Football Club Verified account @celticfc 28m28 minutes ago
Replying to @celticfc
BR on @SimunovicJozo: “A repeat of what he had before so probably out for a few weeks but I’ll get more detail on that today.”
VFR. 1012
With you on that,mate. Apart from swink. You lost me there.
Until I tried to post it and my autocorrect tried to change it to swing!!!
I’m also happy with the philosophy Brendan is imposing on our club with the type of football we play, Celtic always should be playing the right way it’s what the fans demand.
However Brendan is not here forever, he has said so on a number of occasions. Will he be here long enough to leave a lasting legacy? I don’t know, but if in two years from now and Lenny or WGS are in charge I doubt they would go to Munich and play like we did.
JIMTIM
Everything was better in the good old days!
But I genuinely don’t recall the level of personal feelings overcoming professionalism that we are seeing now in the media.
IMO,it really started to kick in in the 90s,and once they realised they could not only get away with it,but that it actually helped their careers,it sure took off!
Did any of other SPL teams thank Celtic for the CL bonus of £378,000?
Brendan is quite right to complain about our game being tomorrow instead of sunday which it was originally.
Seen a few saying that the Hibs v Harts game is on the tuesday so Hibs can’t play on sunday, well move the game to the wednesday.
The CL imo should take priority over anything domestic, well it would if it wasn’t Celtic that was involved, the more they piss Brendan off the better, it will make him more determined to stick it to them.
Oh, great to see Brendan defending how we approach these euro games, said it for long enough, would rather see us lose giving it a go than lose by sitting in cardigan style, you can’t score if you don’t try to.
Ticket away.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
The Exiled Tim.
Sheep v Celtic is on live on Wed.
Hail Hail
JNP
We qualified for the CL before the TV cos decided to switch games for the TV, for all we get from the TV deal we should tell them to stick it, so should the other teams, us qualifying for the CL gives them as much as the TV deal gives them, but many would rather we didn’t qualify even tho they lost the money, how sad is that.
HH
The Exiled Tim. 10.59.
Correct.
Even the way they revamped the league cup from last season makes it harder for us.
We play semi finals and, if successful,finals days after or before champions league games. It’s all set up for us to fail.
What we achieved last year was phenomenal.
Hail Hail
JNP
You would like to think the club would be more vocal on these kinda things, but when they are raking it in…
Another treble will be icing on the cake :-)
Just imagine if we were to have a second invincible season
HH
The Exiled Tim.
That would be truly the stuff dreams are made off.
Every season I always think a Celtic managers remit is to win the league and qualify for The Champions League. If he does that, then that constitutes a successful season.
Winning the other cups is a lovely bonus, to do it undefeated was sensational.
Hail Hail
JIMMYNOTPAUL
Correct
LC semi final after Munich A Last Season H BMG
LC final after Paris A Last season Barca H
Celtic away to last seasons runners up after LC semi final
If I was paranoid i would have a few things to work on
Sure SFA will say they expected Sheep and Huns in Europe as well
and if they were playing IN EUROPA on THURSDAY do you think semis would be moved ?
Either way biased against us or incompetent.
Good morning CQNers
My pal is in Belfast city centre tomorrow and looking for a Celtic friendly pub to catch the game.
Any recommendations, would be gratefully appreciated.
HH
CRC
DELANEYS DUNKY on 19TH OCTOBER 2017 11:00 PM
I sat a lone Tim surrounded by Bayern Munich fans last night. I was the only supporter in that section who sang. I belted out every song from the away end, much to the delight of the BM fans around me. One BM fan bought me a beer, another bought me a half time hot dog. They said at the end of the match as we exchanged handshakes, that they would like BM to make two signings from Celtic.
Dedryck Boyata, and the entire Celtic support.
Every BM fan told me that we were the best visiting supporters ever in Allianz Arena. We have huge amount of Bavarian converts to Celtic on our hands.
This is how it feels to be Celtic!
Class post. :-))
HH
Full Complaint: I was watched BBC News at Six followed by Reporting Scotland. In both programmes the same clip of a group of Celtic supporters was shown singing prior to a Champion League tie in Munich. The song being sung contained a line that referred to opposition fans as ‘animals’. As this particular song is considered the Celtic club anthem, I found it strange that your organisation broadcast a corrupted version of this anthem, not once but twice. I await your response.
###
In a perfect world that would form the basis of an episode of W1A.
I’m probably way wrong with this suggestion but here goes……..
With the Scottish Parliament refusing to get involved in any of the corruption and racism in Scottish Football, then isn’t it possible for the Res.12 Bhoys to take this fight to Westminster ?
After all, this Tory mob appear anxious to clamp down on Tax avoidance and Evasion by Companies, and they are currently becoming involved in the Racism and Sexism with the English FA, from the little I have read so far.
If any of this was possible, I would also put it to Westminster that they should look into the Racism that is encouraged by Deid Co and their vile support, and ask the Scottish Parliament why they continue to do nothing , and if that ” doing nothing” continues, then Westminster WILL take it on board and deal with it ?
it’s probably pie in the sky hopes that I have…but why can’t this happen ?
HH
https://twitter.com/aidankerrtweets/status/920966113432952832
CRC
Cosgroves across the road from the IBIS hotel. Or grab a cab up the falls .less than 5 mins from city centre.
My suggestion above incorporates ALL issues….From Res 12, Racism against Catholics, Corruption by Deidco and SFA and SPL etc etc…
We are FOREVER being told that we in Scotland are British….so lets get the feckin BRITISH Government involved if possible…No ?
HH
Good on you BrendanBhoy….you don’t need to explain yourself to those corrupt twats in Scottish football and smsm.
In Brendan we TRUST !
KTF.
Hibees- only 1 v Famous Glasgow Celtic- a Mighty – 3
DD,
Especially the burds wi’ a name like ‘Jack Daniels ‘…!
My posts above are also about how Deidco fans get away with their Racist chants and singing every week….oh and Orange feckin walks….lets go for the Full Monty !
HH
Morning all
Just surfaced after getting home from Germany in the wee small hours. Have not read much about the game so no idea what the consensus on here or elsewhere is.
We played very badly in the first half. Bayern was good – though less impressive than PSG- and I know we have far fewer resources than them but our passong was dire and the defending weak. We were not helped by having to play two players who had not played in 3 weeks and who looked understandably short of fitness- though neither Broony nor Stuart A was particularly bad with the captain latterly playing well. Having to play a right back at centre back was unfortunate as Cristian G was given a real roasting and I think if we had an established central defensive pairing we would not heve let in either of the first two goals.
Several players had disappointing matches throughout with Scott Sinclair having a poor night, Paddy R faded early, Craig G saved us from further catastrophe after it went to 3-0 but played a regrettable part in two of the goals conceded whilst Olivier N had another bad game. I do not like to criticise players, know that Olivier is young but this is a forum for supporters to express opinions and I think there is nothing inappropriate in expressing doubts as to his or anybody other players’ abilities.
Plusses? Well the subs all looked excellent, Kieran T and Broony came on to games whist Boyata was again superb. As evidence of Brendan’s coaching ability Dedryk is exhibit A. The support was a pleasure to be part of and oddly I feel we have a chance of getting a result in Glasgow. Turning up before 35 minutes have elapsed would help!
Big games in the next few days- we have to reassert ourselves domestically and soon or this season could prove unexpectedly hazardous. Over to you Bhoys!
Jimbo67
” Celtic were my first love,
and they will be my last”
Oh wait a minute have I stolen and adapted John Miles lyrics…..apologises John
HH
Greetings from a high 50s – slightly overcast Munich .
Off oot to Napoli ( hotter than Munich)to meet up with the Inter mad mental old codger from down the valley and go to tomorrow night’s Napoli v Inter game .2 Clubs with a strong dislike of each other / 2 sets of supporters that “hate ” each other .A.Game that will be played in an atmosphere that would have the Scottish Media wringing its hands and crying Oh Dear how threatening .
Today’s choon –
https://youtu.be/IdkTcvaC4TQ
Corkcelt.
hope your well my friend,vote in for Niamh.
———————————————————————
Envious of all you Celts who were out in Germany:-)
Stick to your guns Brendan.we are Celtic,we learn and we improve
One Celtic
Ps embarassment is Progres neiderkorn
HH
I don’t buy into this thinking that the only alternative to playing the way we did was “parking the bus”.
I wouldn’t have parked the bus either, but we could have played differently in terms of mitigating their strengths and still managed to get forward.
Ziggydoc1. @ 10:17.
I have to disagree with you mate , Sinclair’s goal was just offside.
Have another look ,his head and shoulders where just off side.
JIMBO67 on 20TH OCTOBER 2017 11:52 AM
Good post.
HH.
new article posted.
PHILBHOY on 20TH OCTOBER 2017 10:18 AM
PHILBHOY, thanks for that; I really do believe that we are heading in the right direction and this is a 4 for 5 year project.
If we had been offered the team and progress that we have today after the Fenerbache game a couple of years ago I find it hard to believe anyone on here wouldn’t have seen that as a pipedream.
We are in a good place and it’s getting better. The bar was set very high last season and we probably won’t replicate that domestically so progress in Europe is the benchmark this season!
KTF
Great to see that the SFA / SPFL fixture arranger is living up to his / her / its past history.
Eye off the ball moment for us when we allowed the recent SFL cup arrangements to pass without comment.
Totally naked attempt to put us off our CL campaign / ambush using the cup.
Another issue that needs to be put in the public domain and followed up with vigour.
One other issue that needs more effort — the Ajax hooligans in Glasgow story.
That needs to be put in the media continually to highlight the complete failure of the Plod / PS to carry out their duties.
People put in hospital and the Plod outsources justice to their foreign cousins.
Totally shameful and the story needs to be followed up with vigour.
The PS would be a global laughing stock / figure of fun if it was not for the tragic outcomes of their incompetence. Completely useless and then some.
JC 2. 11.28.
Sorry for delay.
A great point.
Hypothetically, I know I’m stretching this, Sevco and Sheep could have been playing last night in Europa League and both could have qualified for league cup semis.
If they hadn’t been drawn against each other in the semis, then there is no way any cup semi would have been played on the Sat.
Hail Hail
Rippling Waters 5.05 Market Rasen
Recoletos 350 Ascot
Quiet Reflection 2:00 Ascot, good luck.
Desert Skyline
1:25 Ascot .
Fleagle , thanks again for your efforts and time .Most appreciated.
HH. Good luck bhoys .