There is an age-old debate about what is more important, tactics or players (it’s tactics), but the argument is nuanced. Even a team that is tactically sound will be ineffective if passing is hesitant, wayward or clumsily controlled.
In Lille last night, Celtic’s passing was fast, precise and controlled, even in the tightest of spaces. Throughout the first half I shouted “Too tight” at the space we were passing into, only to be surprised on the upside. This allowed us to hold possession, move up field, get into the box and create chances. In this regard, the contrast with what we witnessed earlier this season was brilliantly stark.
Consider the performance of Callum McGregor on Sunday, who was a stand-out by the way he drilled the ball over the surface with laser precision. Last night, Callum put in a similar performance, but he looked no more than another cog in the wheel.
Throughout the game, Albian Ajeti held the ball up under the tightest supervision, turned and brought others into play. His early effort was correctly adjudged offside and he could have opened the scoring with a snatched chance midway through the first half.
Aside from his abilities on the ball, Diego Laxalt’s energy levels were outstanding. He was up and down the field from first to last, like the proverbial pinball, overloading in attack and rolling downhill into defence when required.
Central mid looked at its best, with Scott Brown doing what we know he can do so well and, before he tired early in the second period, Olivier Ntcham opening up play.
For a game in which we lost two goals, saved a penalty, Scott Bain made two other excellent saves and our crossbar was rattled, the defence played well. Ryan Christie switched off at the corner for the first goal, allowing an unmatched run at the back post. At this stage of the game the defence was under pressure but holding firm, Bain was seldom called upon and Lille looked frustrated. It is so important not to make it easy for your opponents.
The same observation could be made for the rash challenges in the first half (both outside the box, as it happens) that led to the penalty and the free kick Bain did so well to get a hand to. Last night was Celtic’s turn to pack their defence, making Lille very dependent on set pieces. To win games at this level, you need to be smart about what you concede.
The second Lille goal was one of those concessions that was not the result of a defensive mistake. We were in good positions when the first ball into the box, there then followed a miss-hit shot that fell to a second Lille striker, whose effort was deflected past Bain. C’est la vie.
With limbs and minds visibly tiring and an eye on the Scottish Cup semi-final, Neil Lennon indulged in a bit of showboating, closing the game out with the lesser spotted Ismaila Soro and Stephen Welsh among others. The substitutions helped stabilise Celtic for the closing period, when there were chances to win all three points.
On a night of fine Celtic performances across the field, there was only one Man of the Match contender. The finish for his second goal was technically more difficult than the jaw-dropping strike for his first. Much of the successful passing we discussed further up the page went through him and, having converted two more difficult chances, he will wonder what inhibited him from shooting inside the D to complete his hat-trick. It was an outstanding European performance. Moi Elyounoussi, très bien!
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Jinky……….
I watched the Just a Boy’s Game……..had seen it before a couple of times.
The highlight was Frankie Miller’s acting – as good as his musical legacy is – I thought his acting potential was pretty good.
The scene is very dated now, but it caught the bleakness of the landscape perfectly.
…another booking for a Killie player…………..
Aye!
Barasic booked
Killie coming out a bit now and while it’s only one, they always have a chance.
Tricky away tie on artificial grass – really hoping Sevco can drop point here. Slightly concerned if they don’t.
Douglas Ross in a spot of FIFA bother.
https://twitter.com/scottishfsa/status/1322852765815738368?s=19
When supporters get organised.
Obligatory pen. I see
Fs
Bankiebhoy – some good stuff and lines, it caught the bleakness of a fraction of the landscape very well.
If I was to jump to a favourite McDougall shot around Greenock – it would be ‘Elephant’s Graveyard’ – well worth a watch, a two hander with Billy Connolly and John Morrison
Penalty was a stonewaller unfortunately.
Dallas refereeing like his old man would. Tavernier should have been booked, nothing, Killie player booked a few minutes later.
Kilmarnock are pish. How we dropped points against them is unbelievable.
Killie not ‘upping’ their game like they do against us?
Jinky – aye………..
Seen that one too.
You are right about the context.
It’s ony one snapshot in time.
GLENDALYSTONSILS on 1ST NOVEMBER 2020 12:54 PM
Killie not ‘upping’ their game like they do against us?
Look like relegation candidates. Nothing from middle to front at all. So much for plastic making a difference…
Just a boys game: Ken Hutchinson is a fantastic, naturaly talented actor who could have been a great success in Hollywood a la Brian Cox.
Jan Wilson as “Clatty Bella” was one of the best drunks I’ve saw in the telly. Up there with the old faither in Rita, Sue and Bob too.
The way the ball sticks to that surface is such a disgrace.
ONENIGHTINLISBON on 1ST NOVEMBER 2020 12:53 PM
We start games too passively, knocking the ball around with no penetration. As the game wears on, the pattern forms and the oppostion have something to hold onto – or in Aberdeen’s case, a lead.
I’d like to see us fly out the blocks. Get into them from the first whistle, get a goal or two THEN take our foot off the gas.
This game is still only 1-0 so I have hope but Sevco started how we need to start games.
I’ve posted this before but this is the Louisville City Stadium, they aren’t even in the top tier in US fitba.
Louisville City Stadium – https://bit.ly/368tzHZ
Capacity of 14k. Full proper grass.
After all the comments, I decided to have at `Just a Boys` Game`.
Depressing.
….and those were the good old days??
What channel is the game on this afternoon? Can see any mention of it on a few channels.
Cannot see.
“McInnes your teas oot”
It’s on Premier Sports
CONNAIRE12
If you google Reddit Soccer Streams you will find a sausage to suit your tastes.
Connaire12- Premier sports.
D :)
Hot Smokie……….
It was bleak, I think that was the point…….as others have said, it was just a snapshot in time of a place and people. I had some of my buddies here check it out and some said that the poverty, housing and alcohol issues were just the same in Cork of its time….
I thought some of the lines in it were great.
Today’s official starting line up V Aberdeen ……
Bain; Frimpong, Duffy, Bitton, Laxalt, Brown, McGregor, Christie, Rogic, Elyounoussi, Edouard
Subs: Barkas, Taylor, ElHamed, Soro, Ntcham, Turnbull, Griffiths,Klimala, Ajeti
Jinky……………….
:)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
The skill levels of some of these Kellie players is very, very poor.
Game is on Premier Sports :Sadly -(
The Killie players are also poor.
Killie denied a penalty………….
Aye.
Glad to hear Killie are relegation candidates. I’m not fussed if it’s them, Hamilton or Livingston. Get these plastic pitches out of professional football.
Hopefully all 3 get relegated over the next few years, never to return.
AIPPLE on 1ST NOVEMBER 2020 1:06 PM
It looks great & maybe setting sights on an MLS franchise in the future.
Is that in the works?
Thanks to all for answers. Typical SFA. Council tele had the other semi. But Celtic fans should pay up. Why should we expect anything better from that lot?
Killie giving it more of a go this half without really testing the goalkeeper.
I’m liking the look of that Celtic line-up. Four at the back, Eddie back. Let’s get into them from the first whistle.
What’s the word on Ajer?
How many times does Der hun scream for handball
Ffs
D :)
Aston Villa v Southampton
Last two goals..
Ings for Southampton
Mings for Villa
Ings has been marking Mings the whole game.
Just turned on to the Hun game.Goldson has just got a yellow card,for fouling the Killie player in the box.Am I right.