What a game of football! It takes two teams to entertain as thoroughly, so credit to the losers. RB Leipzig worked their way into the game, took an early lead and threatened to put the match out of sight through corner kicks alone. But so much more credit to the winners.
Celtic were magnificent. We have seen one or two more impressive results this century, but the general consensus walking out of Celtic Park last night, was that perhaps only the 2-0 win over Lyon in 2003 was as impressive a performance. Perhaps.
Celtic opened well and found angles to move the ball around the Leipzig defence from the off. The visitors tried to pass through the high Celtic block but our setup was different than it was in Dortmund on matchday two.
Lopsided
Out of possession, Daizen Maeda drifted infield, often leaving Leipzig’s €18m summer signing, Geertruida in 20 yards of space. It looked dangerous, but as the game progressed it was clear that Leipzig prefer to build down their left. Daizen playing infield stifled their ability to progress the ball and he was able to make up the ground whenever Leipzig switched play.
This enabled Celtic to press 25 yards from the Leipzig goal without the vulnerabilities we saw earlier in the campaign.
Leipzig opened the scoring after a short period of possession, gained when Auston Trusty misplaced a pass. The 10 minutes which followed their opener was littered by similar mistakes throughout the midfield and defence. Celtic were rattled and at this stage, could have seen the game slip from them.
Arne Engels played a ‘round the corner’ pass to Nicolas Kuhn, who drifted past two defenders and set for a shot from outside the box. Too far out, surely?
Yesterday, a friend noted that goals change games and if two years ago against Real Madrid, Callum McGregor’s strike against the post had gone in, we may have earned a result.
Kuhn’s swerving shot struck that same post on 35 minutes, but this time, the ball fell into the net. Celtic were level and Leipzig had a game on their hands.
Reo Hatate was magnificent throughout but on two occasions he played forward passes which deserved a scoring outcome. With the game level he threaded a ball right through the middle of the Leipzig formation for Daizen Maeda to run onto. Daizen shot first time from 25 yards before the keeper was set, but failed to find the target. Later in the game, Reo’s raking 60 yard pass with the outside of his foot, swerved around the Leipzig defence before finding Kyogo. Goodness, what a pass.
In an echo of football in a former era, Kyogo dribbled past two defenders to make space for a shot inside the box, but a third managed to get a block to turn it behind. As halftime approached, Celtic continued to press and a great passing move saw Alistair Johnston free in the box; his left foot shot was saved.
The Celtic press was in full fight now. With seconds remaining before the break, five Celtic players cornered Leipzig on the right side of their box. Kyogo was knocked to the ground but the pivotal moment of the game had arrived. Reo Hatate hit the byline, looked up and saw Greg Taylor point to space along the line.
Taylor collected and smashed a low cross into the six-yard box, where Daizen Maeda replicated his fresh air shot, so successful in a recent League Cup Final. The ever-alert Kuhn beat everyone to the loose ball to put Celtic ahead.
Celtic could have extended their lead several times before Reo Hatate got the goal his play deserved on 72 minutes. Kuhn rolled a no-look pass into space for Johnston to fire another low cross into the box. All Gulacsi in the Leipzig goal could do was halt its progress for Reo to pounce and fire high into the net.
Brendan Rodgers managed the final quarter of the game through assiduous use of substitutions. Valle and Bernardo for Taylor and Engels, then Scales and Yang for Carter-Vickers and Kuhn, finally Idah for Kyogo. Every change reenergised Celtic. There was no weakness, no dropping off. It was the perfect performance.
The evidence is substantial, this is the best Celtic team since at least 2012.
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HH
“We tried to press Celtic high up the park, but they always had an answer to us. They didn’t allow themselves to be dispossessed and kept the ball. We were always a step too late against them and we had to run all night. It actually felt like we were continuously running all game like we were in a marathon. There was nothing more we could do about it in the second half.
It took us five minutes or so to deal with the atmosphere. The double blow before half time hurt us and then of course, the atmosphere came back. Celtic didn’t panic when they were behind. I have to say I was very impressed by them.”
Leipzig player, Kevin Kampl.
Aside from great football from us – two other factors of the game were enjoyable for me.
The referee, although a little whistle happy initially was totally impartial and competent – what breath of fresh air.
Our skillful but smaller players weren’t just fouled blatantly at every opportunity – made the game a better spectacle.
The fitness and conditioning of this Celtic team, is like nothing I have seen before, Brendan used the subs brilliantly, on at the right time,and it kept our tempo high,best team performance in Europe since the Seville run IMO
I used to go to school with a Kevin Campbell…I wonder if that was him last night?
Spot on Paul.
Credit to all involved.
The best night since 2003. Maybe even 1970.
Fabulous Stuff. Let’s do it again !
!!Bada Bing!! on 6th November 2024 12:19 pm
“We were always a step too late against them and we had to run all night. It actually felt like we were continuously running all game like we were in a marathon.” Leipzig player, Kevin Kampl.
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Jimmy Thelin could have said the same thing on Saturday night.
After the battering Khun took on Saturday, from the Aberdeen thugs (Duk should have had a second yellow but Clancy shat it), I thought he wouldn’t be for the game.
Thank God he seems to a hardy wee guy…who can play.
Texas Tim
The same ref had good games with us v Cluj and Feyenoord previously.
Not too bad a result I guess – just a pity we couldn’t have used the Strachan/Lennon template to achieve it.
Maybe if we show some ambition and get Neil Critchley in for next season he can get us back on the right path?
Good point Paul about needing the two teams to make it a good game.
Maybe a bit early to talk about our next CL game but I would imagine Brugge might be a little more defensive and that will bring a different challenge.
BORGO67
The ref was excellent , he and the other officials even looked like they enjoyed the occasion.
Another pleasant aspect of the game was the total absence of any VAR involvement.
Glass 2/3
Let’s be clear what WGS and Lenny achieved with limited resources achieved great results.
Last night was clearly better in terms of style and manner of result being achieved.
Hopefully we CAN achieve at least what WGS and Lenny did get to the last 16. Maybe even beyond.
A fantastic performance which sets us up for the next round of the CL.
We’re a much better side than that of 2012.
It was Kuhn who passed through to Maeda in the first half, not Hatate. Quite a disservice as it was a pass Lionel
Messi would have been proud of.
By some distance, Celtic’s best performance in the Champions League.
The margin of the win and its nature in terms of football played, was a level not previously seen in Parkhead and certainly never against a Bundesliga billionaire club. Celtic and Brendan Rodger’s modern style of play obliterated recent managers triumphs, with a brand of football perfected in Lennoxtown. Every single Celtic player has improved after setting sail with the mercurial man from Carnlough, who like all good Celts, was a born Celtic fan even as an amoeba.
If Dermot Desmond is as smart as he seems, extending contracts should be the topic of his friendly dialogue with a manager that cut his teeth, in ‘the greatest league in the world’ but fell in love with the favourite fairy tale club, like so many have before. A generation of dominance perfecting ownership and management could be lifelong, and take in a European vista.
How do you replace Jota on the wing? ( you buy Kuhn ). On the crest of a wave in a mad, mad, mad, mad world we’ve seen this movie many times but keep going back for more, Celtic’s children of the east end watching the beautiful game some in Paradise the rest in Paradise Parkhead, what larks.
M.O.M Nicolas Kuhn
What a truly brilliant performance from the team and the manager.
I know Kuhn’s first goal was a thing of beauty but I really loved the second.
The way the players hunted them down was superb.
Thank you Celtic.
PAUL67
It was Kuhn who threaded the pass through to Maeda to shoot over the bar, not Hatate.
Apologies Glass 2/3
I meant what WGS and Lenny achieved with limited resources was really good.
How BR achieved thing last night was fantastic.
If BR gets us to last 16 or beyond that will truly be a n amazing performance given our domestic environment.
We need to do everything to tie Brendan down to a long term contract, he’s halfway through his current deal,we won’t get anyone better, he’s a real coach who makes players better.
From the FF Champions’ League thread this morning –
“Be as well changing the name of this thread to the Tuesday night bheast arse fondlers thread in future” .
Last night’s performance has left der hun devastated 🤪
3 of our 4 performances in the CL have been very very good and a stark contrast to recent European seasons.
The other game was, sadly, a legacy performance writ large.
The evidence is growing that we are a better team and we are currently in good form.
I cannot say that we have turned any corner, just yet. The proof of whether we can jump up to a level like Benfica or Ajax or Donetsk would require us to show this kind of improvement over a sustained number of seasons. The evidence for me would be in how we replace our stars. If large bids come in for Kuhn or Hatate will we attract other players with similar skill levels or will we regress? Our first test will come in January when Barca might request Valle’s loan to be cut short.
So, I am deliriously happy with the green shoots we can all see, but the rise to another level is not a one season wonder- it is a decade or more of higher achievement. Let’s not indulge in premature acclamation- we have a long way to go- but the scenery is looking great at the moment.
LET’S ALL BE HAPPY
Those who didn’t want Brendan back – protested and called him names have presumably been won over by all he has done since returning, we should be happy about that.
Those who bring in pyros and political protest to Celtic Park didn’t do it last night in light of the Damoclean UEFA threat, we should be happy about that.
So I ask, why not leave your personal baggage outside Celtic Park in future and get right behind the management and team? – It made a positive difference last night – we are happy about that too!!! HH
Brendan Rodgers is going nowhere. He will strengthen further in January. Looking longer term, he could well be here for 10.
This is a post about unoccupied seats in a sold out stadium,
Dont read it, or comment on it if you dont care about celtic supporters not getting access to a match that they want to see.
Especially dont bother commenting if you spent match day at home, posting on a blog.
One of the great celtic nights, truelly outstanding and memorable performence. Pity there were 2,500 unoccupied seats.
Attendance – Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 57,551
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Saint Stivs on 5th November 2024 2:03 pm
bournesouprecipe on 5th November 2024 1:48 pm
………………………………………..
CELTIC V RB LEIPZIG
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | CELTIC PARK | TUE, NOV 5 | KO 8PM
– Tickets for this match are now SOLD OUT
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ok, great, celtic sold all their available tickets.
did uefa ? did the sponsors use all their allocations ? did leverkusen use up all theirs ? did celtic challenge the “cannot sell” seats behind the goals ?
the 60,000 capacity stadium will have around 58,000 fans in it.
ergo, a sold out sign doesnt man full occupancy.
celtic plc have a stated objective of increasing match attendance, they dont try hard enough.
and sure the seats normally sold to kids, will be sat in by the casual couple of times a season, wealthier supporter, £60 a ticket, rampany corporate greed.
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did uefa ?
the front stand FS7 area is given over to the away team for their staff. not filled there were hundreds of unoccupied seats. not dozens, hundreds. funnily a group of 5 supporters bedecked in hoops started off in the away section in with the leipzig fans, but for the 2nd half could actually be seen in the FS7 area.
did the sponsors use all their allocations ?
the north stand padded seats area, that high paying season book holders are displaced from on cl nights were not full. very obvious blocks of seats unoccupied. at the match depending on were you sit, you can see these unccupied blocks. maybe uefa pay for them anyways whether occupied or not, but somehow i doubt it, Also noted two of the hospitality boxes were unused. not noticed this before,
also, the dalriada car park was only opened to “sponsors parking”, it was not full like a league match day.
as an aside what a mess celtic stewarding have made of access to the lisbon lions lowere, there is absolutely no need to close the segregation gates.
did leverkusen use up all theirs ?
suprisong to me, they did not bring a huge support, they took up what i would compare to aberdeen a few weeks ago, certainly not a falkirk sized full 5% allocation.. this does allow though for celtic fans to pccupy right up to the segregation, so small gains and all that.
did celtic challenge the “cannot sell” seats behind the goals ?
i got talking to a man in the know, a stewarding supervisor, who i used to banter with in my old seat. i asked about the hoarding, the adverts do they actually move ? and is that why celtic cannot sell seats, he said no, the boards are the same height all the way around, but what is different on cl days is access for media and camera crews and photographers in controlled by an agency working for uefa. they close up the media foxholes, and allow cameramen and photographers to go right up to the boards, so that would block the view of people in the front 3 rows, and is not the case for the north stand length of the pitch. could celtic sell these as restricted views ? everybody stands up anyway.
i watched the first 70 minutes from lisbon lions lower, there were a few empties on show,
i watched the last 20 from the jock stein, myself and another were able to sit easily in 144. there were empities.
2,500 of them, it is embarassing.
on the positive side another 2.1m euros win bonus last night, i suppose the plc doesnt need to work that hard on gettin celtic supporters bums on unoccupied seats.
meanwhile liverpool supporting kids could attend anfield for £9.
Trusty CCV when fit are the bedrock now. Trusty was magnificent
THere is a blog on follow follow with high percentage of bears worried about losing their most successful title after league cup ,usually pish blaming celtic for getting them kicked out the league :-)Wanting to add titles during WW1 and 2 etc..
Best of all replies was from new member that suggested they add loving cup and bicyle if they lose final :-)
Thank you, Brendan. Celtic are brilliantly coached (despite what Paul67 thinks) and they are an extremely well run club to be able to punch above their weight in such a manner.
unoccupied seats in the away allocation, work smarter celtic ticket office,
could fs7 have taken all their away support ?
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https://scontent-man2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/310688747_2235919223244899_7219651098970920267_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=dg-kM2WgCAIQ7kNvgEYgbuN&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-man2-1.xx&_nc_gid=AOBcGEZcObfbk4Kn75WxtCG&oh=00_AYCB9KpwsOUBAJtX0nn-TnVUph18c2Cg_5eVgEPJqPMPYQ&oe=67314C00
Believe.
Setting the standard.
Wot a performance. Wot entertainment. Wot a result.
European football refreshes the parts domestic football cannot achieve
Last week against Dundee the usual pubs were very quiet with a bigger attendance.
Last night before and after the pubs were rammed.
HH. IBWT.
Wow….
Wow, not just for the game….but for the quality of today’s blog. Great insight, not only from Paul’s article but the comments also.
One thing worth noting:
Brendan Rodgers is a different beast this time round. His management within games has always been good, but his management between games is top level. We saw it last season. Sevco were looking to win the league. Brendan took the squad to a different level. This season, Dortmund, Leipzig….what a turn around. Long may it continue….
Weeron
philcool on 6th November 2024 12:22 pm
I used to go to school with a Kevin Campbell…I wonder if that was him last night?
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I thought during the match the commentator was calling him Kevin Campbell as well, only when I looked up the team sheet did I realise otherwise.
What a night, so honoured to be there for that even if I am dying at work today and can barely talk.
I agree with a lot of what’s been said – other than the set piece worries (in swingers from our RHS) and a period where we look shocked after losing the goal we were immense. I thought the players played safe for a bit after losing a goal and getting a bit loose to play themselves back into the game which was great to see even if a few were unsettled by the approach. After the equaliser the crowd came to life again and I actually felt confident we could win at that point which was a strange feeling for me in any CL game.
Some of our play was immense and a joy to watch. The ref frustrated me throughout at the game but having watched the first half back I can see he was at least fair to both teams which is a rare feeling.
On a personal note, my son started the having a party in the champions league chant in the stadium completely ignoring my comment that it was perhaps a wee bit early. He is autistic and has verbal dyspraxia but the crowd around us are so good with him and them all joining in and it taking off and spreading around the stadium I think has been the highlight of his year / Celtic supporting life :)
What a night – only bad news for me today was Trump’s win and realising there is an international break coming up again. If we beat Killie at least we will all go into it on cloud 9 after recent results and performances.
QB
TexasTim on 6th November 2024 12:21 pm
Aside from great football from us – two other factors of the game were enjoyable for me.
The referee, although a little whistle happy initially was totally impartial and competent – what breath of fresh air.
Our skillful but smaller players weren’t just fouled blatantly at every opportunity – made the game a better spectacle.
_____
Spot on 👍
Apart from the overall great performances by so many, I loved the way we handled the last 10 minutes or so. Just kept tbe ball a lot with some calm and meaured play. It was as if they all took the lead from the skipper, who was brilliant. I actually though Leipzig just gave up in the last 10 and lost any urgency to get back in it. A night of so many memorable moments but what a pass from Hatate through for Kyogo. Incredible.
I have been watching Celtic youtube blogs/vlogs ? all morning.
The afterglow of a magnificent night.
Saint Stivs on 6th November 2024 1:20 pm
This is a post about unoccupied seats in a sold out stadium
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Why do we have to leave the first few rows empty, for European games? Something to do with advertising? Seems crazy.
ziggydoc –
seen as you asked so politely.
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did celtic challenge the “cannot sell” seats behind the goals ?
i got talking to a man in the know, a stewarding supervisor, who i used to banter with in my old seat. i asked about the hoarding, the adverts do they actually move ? and is that why celtic cannot sell seats, he said no, the boards are the same height all the way around, but what is different on cl days is access for media and camera crews and photographers in controlled by an agency working for uefa. they close up the media foxholes, and allow cameramen and photographers to go right up to the boards, so that would block the view of people in the front 3 rows, and is not the case for the north stand length of the pitch. could celtic sell these as restricted views ? everybody stands up anyway.