Back in the old days of the Uefa Away Goals Rule, a 2-0 win in the first leg at home had an 80% success rate at proceeding in the competition. Away goals added a jeopardy for the loser in this situation, they need to score twice but conceding once meant they would have to score four, so they could not be too gung-ho.
AZ have no such worries tonight, they can pile forward knowing they need three goals to win or the same to take the game into extra time, should they concede one. We go into the game knowing they will have lots of the ball and territorial advantage.
In all honesty, I don’t think we are anything close to an 80% chance of proceeding, more like 60%. AZ created enough good chances at Celtic Park to suggest they can find ways beyond our defensive lines. What will worry the home side is how prolific our forwards look.
European football is significantly about game management, especially this early in the season. Think back to Neil Lennon’s first season, when he took a 2-0 to Utrecht. That lead was wiped out within 20 minutes before a total collapse.
Think also about Brendan Rodgers first qualification campaign. Having won the first leg against Hapoel Be’er Sheva 5-2, the Israelis went 2-0 up three minutes into the second half – within a goal of going ahead in the tie. Brendan used all three substitutes by 65 minutes and went a touch catenaccio until full time. When the roof collapses, it is all about how you respond.
However the game progresses, Celtic’s match fitness should be better heading into the closing stages, or extra time, if it comes. We need to be ready with a strategy for these periods of the game.
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Celtic go away to Czech Republic and win 4-2 first leg and get slaughtered on BBC TV. Rangers draw 0-0 against a 10 man pub team and it’s never mind the performance, they got through, job done.
Hibs on tv just now at their training today, interview with jack ross.
the hibs players training kit is ……………….
all blue.
wtf is that about.
Rennes, Vitesse and CSKA Sofia all score in first 5 minutes. We absolutely have to prevent Alkmaar doing that. Fenerbache and Rapid Vienna both score 2 goals away in first 15 minutes before being pulled back. That’s what we want ( except the pulled back bit! )
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 26TH AUGUST 2021 6:19 PM
Celtic go away to Czech Republic and win 4-2 first leg and get slaughtered on BBC TV. Rangers draw 0-0 against a 10 man pub team and it’s never mind the performance, they got through, job done.
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You’re not from round these parts, are you?
ps match thread open.
SS
I’m pretty sure BRTH story Regarding Lubo was fiction.A brilliant read but fiction . I think 🤔
mon the hoopz
Jablonec win 8-1 on aggregate!
Tom English: Yes it’s disappointing for Scotland to see Aberdeen and St Johnstone going out and Celtic could have gone out as well.
Jesus wept
According tae the beeb we survived a torrid night while sevco Covid outbreak and stifling heat notwithstanding clinched a place in the group stages. All my years living there I am proud tae say I never bought a licence.