Examination in Zagreb

162

This was a fascinating tactical battle which could have gone either way.  From the start, Dinamo Zagreb stood off Celtic and steadfastly refused to press the entire game.  For all we criticise Scottish Premiership clubs for defending with 10 men behind the ball, they all press on occasion; Dinamo’s plan was different.

They were intent on defending around 40 yards from their own goal and playing on the counter.  This permitted Celtic 69% possession, but that stat didn’t tell the whole story.  Dinamo’s counter produced the more chances than Celtic’s possession.

Not that there were great chances.   A Pjaca header 10 minutes from time made all the match reports, but in truth, even that would not have hit the target, had Kasper Schmeichel failed to reach it first.  Celtic’s best chance came right at the end.  James Forrest fired the ball forward, Arne Engels crossed into the six yard box, but Adam Idah was pipped to the ball by a last ditch interception.  That aside, Celtic created nothing of note.

You would be forgiven for concluding that when Reo Hatate is off his game, Celtic is too.  Reo’s decision-making and passing was poor throughout.  He gets the ‘blame’ here because he takes so much responsibility, where Reo tumbled, his teammates followed.  He bears the standard and so much responsibility.

I’ve read this was a poor Celtic performance.  In truth, it was better than recent away wins at Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Ross County.  This is Dinamo Zagreb, who drew at home with Monaco and won away in Bratislava and Salzburg.  They have 8 Champions League points; they are not Ross County.

With two games to go we have hit the 9 point target we hoped to achieve before the start of the tournament.  This could be enough to see us through to the next stage, although we are likely to add to the tally.  The last time we bettered our current run of four unbeaten in the European Cup/Champions League was season 1971-72, when a seven game unbeaten run ended with two 0-0 draws against Inter and elimination on penalties.  It’s been that long – and the standard of opposition was sufficiently weak then we won away in Hungary and Malta!

Knowing that some nerd 50 years from now will look up this run of results with awe, we can appreciate last night’s examination.  It informs us where we are in football’s food chain, and provides an insight into where we should aim for next.

Tony Gillespie, Setting free the Bears

Tony’s son Martin has been in touch to say the funeral will be on 18 December.  Anyone who would like more details can contact Martin at martin_gillespie@icloud.com

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  1. i “THINK” its

     

     

    9/10 v 23/24 A sort of pairing makes a bit of sense to avoid playing someone you have already played

     

     

    or maybe from same country(at least thats how i read it)

     

     

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

     

     

    ziggydoc1 on 12th December 2024 8:14 am

     

    In the knockout phase is it a case of 9th v 24th, 10th v 23rd etc? Who’d have thought the new format would be such fun for maths geeks

  2. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Fav Unc – nice one.

     

     

    Spurs scored 8 over two legs against the mighty whats-their-name.

     

     

    A look back at the records of the first c.10 years of European club football is instructive.

     

     

    Scottish football routinely held its own with two outliers.

     

     

    R1ngers we’re routinely papped out at Round 1 or suffered historical thrashings in later rounds (e.g. shipping 12 to Eintracht Frankfurt)

     

     

    … and Hearts were regularly abysmal.

     

     

    Both clubs remained staunch however.

     

     

    If only they could have had Scottish refs !

     

     

    🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

  3. Some Celtic fans want ` Rangers` to win in Europe because `it`s good for Scottish football`.

     

    I am certainly not one of those. I ALWAYS want them to lose .

     

    My point?

     

    When Celtic are playing in Europe, I am very keen that we win and that leads to me being nervous about the outcome.

     

    When the Huns are playing, I want them to lose but I don`t have any `fear` about them winning so their games are `nerve free` for me. Quite a pleasant situation, really.

     

     

    PS See if anyone can manufacture a duller post than that !!!

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