A game which was marked by unaccustomed misplaced passing by Celtic was lost due to two even more unaccustomed miscalculations by Kolo Toure. Celtic had the majority of the ball but only crafted one gilt-edged chance. Glabach won the majority of the 50-50 challenges, and the second balls, but were not as productive with the ball as Barcelona or Manchester City in Celtic’s earlier group games.
Within the opening five minutes it was evident Celtic were not playing with the confident abandon they did three weeks ago against Manchester City. We were reluctant to press the fullbacks forward in the first quarter of the game, even in possession there was often a back four line.
Gladbach are a counter-attacking team and would have hoped to draw Celtic forward. It occurred to me that, perhaps as a consequence, Brendan was reluctant to get caught too far up field. The upshot of this was that when Gladbach did get forward (which happened often), Celtic defended well. The downside was that our shape when passing out of defence was all wrong.
We didn’t pass well. It looked like players were not making the correct angles early enough. Scott Brown was caught out a couple of times early on and it took him a while to get into his stride thereafter, but Nir Bitton’s night started indifferently, then went south. His first touch, passing and movement were well below standards achieved on match day two. From as early as 30 minutes I was pondering if replacing Nir with Callum McGregor was the right move. Callum hadn’t played in a month, but when he did come on in the 63rd minute, the hesitancy in midfield evaporated (though not until he got one bad pass out of his system).
With central midfield not getting much joy in the first half, Rogic, Forrest and Sinclair saw little of the ball. Moussa Dembele saw even less.
The best chance of the opening period was created with a sublime pass from Tom Rogic in the 45th minute. His diagonal pass from deep into the box split the defence open. Scott Sinclair met it first time, but sent it over. I had a great view from behind Scott. The obvious shot was low to the far post, but the angle was tight and the keeper would probably have blocked.
Trying to finish high into the net was the right decision, if poorly executed.
At halftime the plan looked to be the right one. Gladbach were as comfortable on the ball, as we expected, but we were tight and the back, and could hope to open them with pace and (better) accuracy. Celtic enjoyed their best period in the opening 12 minutes of the second half. Then the game changed.
So many Champions League games are decided by mistakes. If you look back over the home games we’ve won in this competition, we’ve rigorously stuck to task at the back and exploited mistakes in the opposition box. Kolo made a couple of wrong decisions and was punished. The first changed the direction of the game; Celtic’s momentum stopped.
Them’s the breaks. We lost a game without landing a glove on Borussia in earnest, but it MAY have been different if Kolo had cleared that ball up-field on the 57th minute. For Celtic at this level, winning points is all about fine margins. As Brendan said, we’ve no complaints, but there was a point, and maybe more, there to be won. We’ve certainly beaten better teams than Gladbach.
Shout out for Erik Sviatchenko, who had his best game in a Celtic shirt. And for the Gladbach fans, who came with a plan to dominate the Celtic Park atmosphere and didn’t drop the ball.
Andy Lynch’s autobiography, Hoops, Stars & Stripes, is arriving here this afternoon and the man himself will be signing copies imminently. If you have pre-ordered, your book will be with you soon. This is a deep, reflective and revealing insight from a prominent Celtic player under Jock Stein and Billy McNeill:
“[Rangers’ Colin] Stein made a beeline for me. With his teeth clenched and both fists held up to my face in defiance, he came right up to me to celebrate. In a moment of madness, I spat at him. Stein’s celebrations instantly ended, he edged backwards and stood on the sodden Hampden turf looking absolutely horrified. We were both speechless and I instantly regretted what I had done but no-one else had witnessed it.”
Our competition to win TWO TICKETS to Sunday’s semi-final, courtesy of Intelligent Car Leasing, ends at 14:00 today! Thanks to everyone who took the time to donate here to the Celtic Foundation while entering. It is enormously appreciated. To enter, email competition@celticquicknews.co.uk with the correct spelling of Monchengladbach (or close enough). Make sure I can contact you later!!
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I did wonder how long it would be before someone blamed the support.
CentenaryBhoy on 20th October 2016 1:43 pm
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Fair point, but I still think Efe would have been more effe-ective (see what I did there player-pun fans?) than Biton last night, and in most CL games.
Level 5 in the hoose. Time to get back to work.
Don’t feed the troll.
SALUMUXOYA16 on 20TH OCTOBER 2016 1:44 PM
How do you get to post stuff on here?
Do you need to log in?
How secure is the log in process if you can do it?
And is this in any way connected to the incessant pop ups etc that a lot of posters have to deal with?
When Kolo was shielding the ball ( leading to the first goal) , could Gordon have come over and picked it up?
He seemed, to me , to be rooted to the spot.
JJ
FAN-A-TIC on 20th October 2016 1:05 pm
Firstly, I’m not “championing” Bitton; I think he is a quality player (and still fairly young) who is learning the game and he gets a raw deal on here at times. Last night he was no more ineffectual than Forrest, Sinclair, Rogic, Dembele, Lustig or Tierney. Ultimately Toure was more ineffectual than Bitton by virtue of his mistakes. Yet Bitton is the escaped goat.
Secondly. people often say the struggle to see what he brings; against Man City, he played the killer pass for the second goal to release Rogic who played Tierney in. Then he played the ball to Tierney from a very tight angle on the touchline that released him to set up the 3rd goal. Instrumental in 2 of the 3 goals. He was also involve in a couple of the goals against Comedy Club FC. Just a few examples.
When Celtic don’t perform well there is, IMHO, often a criticism of Bitton. Could there possibly be a link there?
Justathougt CSC
FAC the Act
KTF
Totally outplayed last night . Anyone who thinks we only require a couple of signings is well of the mark IMHO . We never picked up the second ball all night . That is as bad as our midfield has been since the semi against thems . Thank god for Scott brown . Steel, determination . Workrate .and heart . He was left to do the midfield shift on his own . Biton gave us the same performance he did in the sc semi , he wanted off that day , and the same last night . tommy rogic has immense talent ,but can’t last a full 90 , and only my opinion but is lacking in bottle . . We are way in front of what’s up here , but I think we all would like a team able to compete at CL level . With the state they are in , we should be able to win our league ,and gain admission to the top dollar for years to come . But we must not make do with winning up here ,Brendan hopefully will get us the quality we require to get us to CL level .
Been banging on for months about how we need to develop a counter-attacking game for Europe.
Moenchengladbach last night played the way I have been hoping we would.
Three up front, but stationed deep to compress the field when defending.
When attacking – break as a three, stretching the field (long and wide). Pace, quick incisive passing, clinical finishing.
This should be the blueprint we try to develop. We have the players to do this now. No more failed park-the-bus, one up front 40 yards from everybody else.
From the draw; this Group always had the look of an impossible task for us to progress from – the Brendan factor and the City result kind of upped our aspirations after the past few years of European mediocrity. Last night’s result suggests we’ve got a fair bit to go; from being the best in Scotland – to being a compact and difficult side to beat in Europe (albeit the home crowd factor).
We had looked as if we had weathered their movement and possession during a difficult first half – IMO we should have shored-up the midfield at halftime. Brown-Bitton-Rogic are better than average on any given day but collectively at this level – they are short on; ball retention, punishing distribution and technical ability to negate the opposition’s midfield. Unfortunately this impacts on the team as a whole – additional pressure on the defence and limited opportunity for the attack. Our plethora of midfielders are more than adequate for the SPL – somehow Brendan has to get the right combination (use of chequebook?) if we want a regular foothold in European football.
This current Squad is better than decent (including some exciting prospects) – otherwise why would so many get International call-ups? Brendan’s Programme (problem) is not so much moulding them into an attractive attacking/pressing side – his problem will be getting them game-time against far superior testing opposition to improve their technical abilities and game-management and in theory take them to the next level. No easy task!
Finally a brief thought on last night’s Gladbach opponents – a tennis analogy if you like: thought about Murray (not flamboyant but very technically competent) .v. del Potro in the Olympic hardcourt final. Murray’s ability to maintain; relentless long gruelling rallies – pressing and pushing the ball around the court – taxing his opponent’s defence and recovery – finally punishing his weaknesses and mistakes. Like del Potro, when it comes to Europe we can be up for it; hard working, exciting but too often we lack that technical nous and experience to get us over the line.
Anyhow – my post may well be irrelevant if we somehow turnover last night’s result and we find ourselves still in Europe after Christmas. Away to check the bookies odds!
Hot Smoked on 20th October 2016 2:02 pm
When Kolo was shielding the ball ( leading to the first goal) , could Gordon have come over and picked it up?
He seemed, to me , to be rooted to the spot.
JJ
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JJ, me Old Kipper it was 100% Kolo’s fault. He had time to hit row Z or just punt it. He chose to shepherd it out for a goal kick and didn’t look to the keeper for support. He didn’t use his strength well enough to prevent the Borussia player getting close to the ball.
FAC the Act
KTF
I thought nul points was a distinct and likely possibility from this group, so I’m very pleased with the progress we’re making.
Kolo has been brilliant for us, a couple of costly slip ups last night.Playing 2 wide men in Europe is asking for trouble unless its 3-5-2.Teams put 1 or 2 extra in MF , and we get overrun.As G67 said we need a couple of MFs who can take the ball under pressure, and making the play for us.Small steps, a couple of bhoys in January and next summer, and we should be better equipped for Europe IMO.
Brendan introducing the pressing, high tempo football has helped our chances in Europe. Ultimately though you don’t need to play with this level of intensity in the SPL so we can switch off from week to week and then have to make a massive step up, like last night.
Don’t know the solution but if you’re routing teams you learn nothing.
James Forrest picked a bad game to fall back to his old ways last night, Paddy (the Celtic par Pele) showed him how it’s done as soon as he got his first ball, a must start for Paddy on Sunday, PS nevear was and never have been a Forrest fan, the guys a myth.
A Pot 3 ream beat a Pot 4 team.
But for two catastrophic errors Celtic would have secured a draw against a better team than us.
In some ways it was an uncomfortable night as the Germans looked superior to us all evening, in terms of technique, movement, tactics, composure and teamwork. However we nearly coped with all that.
It is still a great pleasure to witness Celtic playing Champions League football in Paradise. It is just that is a very tough school. We will improve the more we are exposed to this level of opponent.
Someone said they had no stand out superstars. No because each of them were equally as proficient a footballer as the next.
A wee btw, the Borussia support were immense. That first half incessant, unbelieveably loud and long chant, from about 30 minutes to 35 was awesome and inspiring. It certainly seemed to lift the BMG players to higher levels. That is not a sly dig at the GB or our support in general, in any way, just an observation.
Sometimes the other mob are just better than you on the night.
Eurochamps67
As Italian is for singing operas, so is German for chanting at football matches.
German classes , GB?
JJ
PS VFR
It can be 100% Kolo`s fault but the question can still be asked: Could Gordon have done anything to rectify Kolo`s mistake?
Also, I have just tried to `phone you.
JJ
VFR
Your stretching it a bit on Bittons killer pass for Tierneys goal against city.
It was a good straight forward ball to Rogic who then played the killer ball.
Likewise the 3rd in that game he showed good skill to pass to Tierney who made a great cross for Dembele to score.
He had a good game against city and so did team except for defensive lapses.
But he is the weak link in our formation due to his poor positioning and tackling in an area thats vital.
EUROCHAMPS67
it’s been a while since someone brought a support like that to Celtic Park, i enjoyed the game on TV of course the result was a downer but I thought BMG played very well and had great support from their fans.
No disgrace in losing to a team that plays the game properly and has a decent support.
Germans love their fitbaw, I miss my wee sojourns into Germany:))
SP
Eurochamps67 on 20th October 2016 2:37 pm
I agree with most of what you say. They were better in terms of movement, tactics, composure and teamwork.
However, I don’t think their players were better technically than us. Had we pressed with the same intensity as we did against Man City then I think their passing may have been disrupted and their movement not as clever.
It was their organisation and movement that made the difference. If we can remedy this for Borussia Park it will be interesting to see how they cope.
The Comedy Club like to think they play a tidy passing game; let’s use Sunday as a training exercise for our return game against Borussia and get the high tempo pressing game back on track! We then have tow tricky away games at Dingwall and Aberdeen; although neither will be as technical proficient or aware as Monchengladbach, we can use these to refine the approach we will use in Germany!
After all, any 2 goal win will put us back in the driving seat! :>)
alwayspositive CSC
FAC the Act
KTF
TONYDONNELLY.
James Forrest is inconsistent.
He needs to work on his mental strength.
The skills and ability are there.
A weakness of his to me is his body position when he receives a ball is often poor.
He seems to wait for pass then decide what to do and does not seem to understand attacking the space in anticipation of ball.
He is not the only player in our team like this.
When the Germans received the ball last night they always had there bodies in great position for the next move.
This is a hallmark of all the good European teams giving them time and space to create.
It’s something our coaches need to work on.
Craig Gordon’s guarding his near post and watching an experienced defender usher the ball out. If Gordon gets involved and there’s confusion between him and koulo then guess who gets the blame? Toure has ushered the ball out like this with success hundreds of times in his career, just one of those things I’m afraid.
HH
A wee bit disappointed but not downhearted.
As long as we learn from our experiences in this competition, strengthen the midfield for next season’s assault on Europe and sack Biton with immediate effect, we’ll be fine.
EUROCHAMPS67 on 20TH OCTOBER 2016 2:37 PM
A Pot 3 ream beat a Pot 4 team.
But for two catastrophic errors Celtic would have secured a draw against a better team than us.
And that is the difference between the best and the rest.
FAN-A-TIC on 20th October 2016 2:56 pm
Watch it again; he is penned in by 2 Man City players and picks the ball out releasing Tierney into space.
Without that Tierney doesn’t have the opportunity to get the cross in.
The ball he played to Rogic against Man City took out 3 players and opened them up; without that pass Rogic wouldn’t have had the space to advance into.
If it’s fair to criticise his mistakes, it’s only fair to give him your
grudgingpraise when he plays well.FAC the Act
KTF
NEGANON2
Wow!
You were really hurting last night.
I really hope you don’t own a cat.
See you next time we lose a game.
VFR800A8
Biton does see a pass, occasionally, but not often enough for me.
He has very little physical presence for a big guy, canny jump or tackle.
Last night I thought he was afraid to put his foot on the ball.
He should be aware of who is round about him before he receives a pass, but last night he seemed to get rid of the ball as if he was feart.
Mind you I left the room to get a couple of drinks and went to the loo twice so maybe he was brilliant when I was out of the room.
;-)
Philbhoy on 20th October 2016 3:20 pm
He was poor last night. He was good against Man City.
Interesting point you make about putting a foot on the ball – for a lot of people that’s not a good idea; they want the ball moved on immediately. I think we could do with a we bit more composure on the ball at times.
Bittons main problem last night was Borussia’s good movement (closing him down and blocking space) coupled with our poor movement (static players and no finding space). Sometimes it is better to hold onto the ball and look for an option and give your team-mates time to move into space.
Then the detractors can come on and say “he slows the play down too much”. :>)
FAC the Act
KTF
VFR800A8
Too many of our “one touch” passes went astray as it looked to me as if our players were afraid to hold onto the ball.
Sometimes in big games a player needs to be brave.
I don’t think Biton is that player.
His poor passing put our player under immediate pressure or went to the oppo who wasted no time in putting our defence under pressure.
Mibbe I just don’t like him!
Not for racial/sectarian reasons.
I just think he’s a tit.
Thought the whole team was poor last night apart from Eric who was fairly solid.
Can’t defend Toure’s mistakes but those saying ‘If that was Effe he’d be the scapegoat’ etc have to realise that it would be the latest in a long line from him, whereas Kolo’s been pretty solid for us since he came & last night’s were his first howlers. For the record, last night was how I viewed Kolo throughout his career & wasn’t impressed by his signing but had been happy to be proved wrong.
Biton…sorry, but he’s too slow on the ball. Has a frustrating habit of doing the hard part of winning the ball, then holding on to it too long & losing it. It seems like some kind of macho thing where he tries to show his strength and thus dominance, then only ends up looking like a pie when it’s nicked off him time and time again. Looks good at times in SPL when acres of space, but brutally exposed in CL. His ting is also woeful. I s hit the odd screamer when he’s had space & time, but he showed again last night he can’t do it under pressure or make a smart pass when the shot is shut down. For me he’s Mulgrew without the free-kick ability.
Forest is another imposter. Plenty of ability but no heart at all. Showed slight improvement under BR, but as has been pointed out Roberts showed what a winger with real heart & desire to beat men is. Cant understand why Forest keeps getting the nod in front of him.
Finally, much has been made about how we were beaten by a better team. That may well be true, but I don’t think we learned that last night. We were woeful. No intensity at all. Our passing was terrible all over the park. Stats prove nothing, most completed passes were across our back line or to the keeper as we had no bottle or desire to move forward and impose ourselves. Broony has started the season well, but it’s shocking that our CM captain is afraid to take the ball from CD’s and turn with it. Biton the same. I know SB started doing it late in the game but it was gone by then. Every time they hide or refuse a pass, or take it & play it straight back, they’re telling the opponent they haven’t got it at that level & giving them confidence.
Although that seems negative, I think we have a chance over there, simply because I don’t think we’ll be as poor again. If we turn up & still get beat, then we can say we lost to a better team last night. Jury still out for me.
HH
.
TONYDONNELLY67
That was your most sensible post for weeks….and weeks!
;-)
RABERTO67 3:50pm
Bang on .
PHILBHOY
Spelling and punctuation to your liking?
TONYDONNELLY67
Since you mentioned it –
Bang on . should be Bang on.
Raberto
Wee Roberts lit up the SPFL at the tale end of last season. As Celtic supporters we were waxing lyrical about his performances in the Hoops. Sadly, since his early season injury he’s done little to impress in the limited game time he’s had. Last night though he looked more like the prodigious talent we watched before the summer.
Forest often frustrated me after watching his debut at Inverness, however, this season he’s impressed me both offensively and defensively. I imagine that Brendan feels the same hence him starting more often than not.
Thank you all who posted Birthday wishes, and in particular BRTH for knocking five years off my age
Hamilton Tim
Survey completed
Cowiebhoy
Prayers said for your Dad
Roberts? Forrest?
Roberts all day long, IMO.
We at times expect,Celtic to be up for every game,but last night was when we were not up to it,Toure at fault for there goals,as for Button and Rogic,didn’t work last night,so we pick ourselfs up for Sunday,hopefully we get a win,but finally I would Brendan to include Liam Henderson,and young Christie,into the first team squad,also bring back Scott Allan,back in January, and I thought James Forrest did OK last night