Credit to the manager. Brendan Rodgers’ public comments after the Disaster in Dortmund, that he would be happier to lose 7-1 than what he saw was the alternative, to play defensively and lose 3 or 4-0, turned out to be a cunning ruse.
Just as in Dortmund, Celtic’s gameplan was evident from the opening two minutes, but whereas the last time we pushed into the Borussia box, last night we dropped deep, allowing Atalanta the ball and denying them space to exploit.
Adam Idah spent much of the game 30 yards from his own goal. He and Reo Hatate were the first line of resistance, protecting two tightly packed banks of four. When Atalanta tried to pass through, they scarcely saw a sniff of daylight all game. Instead, they were forced wide, from where they threw in an endless series of crosses.
Pasalic came closest. He got a run on Liam Scales and saw his header hit the crossbar and he put the rebound over. That aside, every opportunity Atalanta had was no more than a half chance, due to the presence of at least one Celtic defender, and often two.
Scales and his leftie central defensive partner, Auston Trusty, were imperious. We have seen this before from Scales, who has his second outstanding Champions League game of the season (think about that), but Trusty came of age in Bergamo. This defensive game suited him. Every ball into the box was challenged.
Alex Valle put in a shift Greg Taylor would have been proud of, while Alistair Johnston made at least two crucial blocks.
With 15 minutes to go, I am sure all of the Celtic support thought, “This lot could play all day and not score”. I chastised my dad for putting words to this thought, but in truth, Celtic were very comfortable throughout the second half.
Atalanta had two free kicks and a corner in added time to force the issue. Had they scored, we would have no complaints, but nor would we have been any less impressed by Celtic. This was a mature European performance. Credit to the players, as well.
150 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- »
Barcelona, Real Madrid, we will make a gallant bid and all that, what a fantastic performance against Serie A top scoring team.
Chuffed, and very proud
kinglubo
BigChipsUK on 24th October 2024 2:09 pm
A creditable performance last night against one of our pot 2 opponents, and a welcome point after the capitulation in Dortmund (pot 1, 97 coeff points).
Next up we face Leipzig (also 97 coeff points), our other pot 1 opponent, who currently sit 5 places above Dortmund in the Bundesliga, having also finished above them last season.
——————–
the most pertinent points.
they are not bratislava. this is no walkover opponent , we need to treat them as akin to atlanta, and set up and play accordingly.
they dont get chances, they wont score.
i am happy to contemplate a draw.
Great point last night.
I guess we need to work on the ball up to Adam / Kyogo , lay off back to midfield and then played forward for the 3rd man running. We had the space unfortunately Atalanta kept so many players upfront , our forwards were isolated.
Caught about 20mins of the Leipzig game , they looked a very strong running outfit , we’ll need to be at our maximum to take anything from these guys.
HH
Good to see all agree that Trusty earned his price tag last night and Liam easily worth the £10MM we paid for him (wait?….what???).
A word of caution is that we are still slow on the turn, after a through ball and Auston is still on his clearly weaker side; few of the teams we play will pressure our box like Atalanta, where both CBs excelled.
The up-side is that with minor positional tweaks and coaching, we can improve on the weaknesses and you can’t buy the confidence both players will have taken from last night’s performance.
Saint Stivs, as long as the players respect Leipzig, play with full defensive focus and avoid silly mistakes, it’s probably got 0-0 written all over it, given how few Leipzig seem to both score and concede. But hopefully we can nick the only goal and get all 3 points. 🤞
Any word from COLUMBIA of ALFREDO. Will he get the CHARLIE ADAMS from DUNDEE treatment.???
Greenpinata on 24th October 2024 1:20 pm
Paul 67,
Sorry to disagree , if they had scored towards the end it would have changed our whole complexion of the game
We would not be so upbeat, we would not be discussing great individual performances , we would be cursing our luck yet again.
The big stick that Brendan talked about would have been back out. Instead the big stick has been reduced to a twig.
HH, the journey continues
————————————–
Usually agree with your comments but I slightly demur his time.
If they had scored towards the end it would have tempered our mood. However many of us after Dortmund had resigned ourselves to a defeat in Bergamo but hoped for a much smaller margin. I think although disappointed we would have breathed a sigh of relief at a late 1-0. I’m sure most would still have lauded the new ‘pragmatism’ in our play and the efforts of Scales, Trusty, Schmeichel and others.
Probably we would not be so upbeat, but we would be happy that another difficult away game against a top club had been negotiated without humiliation. No doubt some others would be reaching for the ‘big stick’ on the back of a defeat, however late and slender –c’est la vie.
But hey, we are where we are, we didn’t lose. We have four points instead of three with our two toughest ties on paper behind us.
I think there is much to be pleased about. We have a good chance to add to our points tally, qualify and, Dortmund is fast disappearing from our rear-view mirror.
An Dún on 24th October 2024 2:04 pm
“I can sort of see why Brendan is rallying against the idea that we went defensive last night. We were compact, dropped deeper but still very much tried to play our football. Last night was not backs to the wall and long ball.”
I think that depends how you define “our football”. To me, it is usually high press, high risk, lots of runs ahead of the ball – like Dortmund. We were not that last night. Last night was defensive and backs to the wall a lot of the time. It wasn’t long ball only because our CF was usually in our own half. Of course we still tried to attack when we had the ball, at times – but even then there was a more cautious approach.
If he is rallying against the idea that he changed anything it’s likely as to state the truth would (fairly imo) open him up to some of the culpability for the Dortmund result.
QB
Brilliant last night – what a valuable point that could be.
Brendan said after the game that while we defended very well, we need to learn to do more with the ball when we have it. We gave the ball away cheaply too often, but that is something than can be improved with the guys building confidence against the top tier teams. One player in particular that we need more from is Engels. We saw in his first couple outings that he can be a top player, but he has gone off the boil in his last 2 or 3 games. If we can get this guy firing, it will make a huge difference to our play.
Daizen also going through a bit of a dip in form, but we’ve seen this before from him and he will come back.
We have the makings of a good side who can compete at this level and a top-tier manager. Looking forward to the next CL game after we take care of business at home.
Excellent performance last night ..and a hard earned point..
In 2 hours the Dublin Hoops, Shamrock Rovers, take on Larne at Windsor Park in the conference league..Cmon the Hoops
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 24TH OCTOBER 2024 3:27 PM
Any word from COLUMBIA of ALFREDO. Will he get the CHARLIE ADAMS from DUNDEE treatment.???
One thing’s for sure , he won’t get the John Beaton/SFA treatment !
What is the Starz on 24th October 2024 3:46 pm
Excellent performance last night ..and a hard earned point..
In 2 hours the Dublin Hoops, Shamrock Rovers, take on Larne at Windsor Park in the conference league..Cmon the Hoops
————–
never been a group match between north and south has there ?
will the hoops have a travlling support ?
https://villagemagazine.ie/the-mentor-of-sir-jeffrey-donaldson-the-new-leader-of-the-dup-was-a-racist-and-a-paedophile-with-deranged-views-about-the-intelligence-of-women/
Stivs
1600 gone up…
We asked for 1690 …but they refused 😃
Good evening all from a still happy Garngad.
Great performance last night, although at times watching behind the couch stuff.
Now come on whoever the huns are playing.
D. :)
A bhoy in work made a great point – that’s obviously what Trusty is about – if it moves clear it out, backs to wall, front foot defending.
If ccv had been on it wouldn’t have happened and we’d have lost – not a criticism of ccv of course he’s quality but faces competition now.
https://x.com/CelticEnded2iar/status/1849220637933355088?t=wWqR0oOL9Y3_jdvxynqN5Q&s=08
Tom English looking for a new contract at Shortbread
Well done to Brendan and the boys for demonstrating their aptitude for a change in approach. The players especially will benefit from learning these different methods and one day down the line maybe some of these players will be back as managers of Celtic teaching and leading new players from a different era in the future to always have an open mind.
Open enough to be big enough to admit that your way was not going to work so you got over yourselves and found another way.
Now going forward – more emphasis needs to be placed on quickly counterattacking – and if that means going over the top with long high quickly blootered balls – so be it.
When we don’t get mugged – job done.
When we carry out our own muggings and get a good draw or even better, a Tony Watt style legendary goal on the break through a long ball – then we’ve made it into the realms of reality.
Hopefully this won’t be a one off.
See what happens when Brendan listens to Ernie Lynch. 👊️
The world would be a better place if more folk did likewise. 🙏️
Then you can start graduate to the Mr GG University of the airwaves “Moats TV” educating those empty heads with the George Galloway Curriculum like “A Celtic State Of Minds” did only weeks ago in appreciation of the Rebellious cage rattling fountain of knowledge that is Mr GG, so powerful that the Establishment had to get a loan of the Democratc Party USA’s vote rigging machines for UK GE back in July to ensure that neither Mr GG or any of his WPB uppity socialists would be elected to the new Parliament that is packed to the brim with Genocidal Austerity enthusiasts – with Zero opposition.
Corbyn’s flowery words = zero opposition.
It’s never too late….
Is the rivers game on telly?
On TNT.
Larne v Shamrock Rovers on Premier 1 and TNT 4 if you have those stations
A good result tonight by the ‘hang on we’re the shi* ones now’ brigade will keep clement in the job
(there’s another analysis to the situation – nothing will shift him – they can’t afford his severance).
My dad was a shels fan wits – we weren’t speak of the others in our house
the old yins never get tired –
—————-
Incase anyone misses it in the ticket forum. I have a ticket in BR1 for tonight if anyone wants it. I don’t want money for it
I would want money to take it.
Jackiemac
Shelbourne like Shamrock Rovers both were founded in the South inner city neighbourhood of Ringsend. Although both have moved from their original base the game between them is still referred to as The Ringsend Derby.I like to tease my Shelbourne supporting friends that they are no longer the 2nd best team from Ringsend as that honour is now held by Rovers reserve team
Hearts on TNT 3
Shankland yellow card for a high boot catching a player on the forehead which cut his forehead, Yang red card no contact with the player with no injury to Cochrane.
brill wits
2 nil hehehehe
Rovers 2 up in Belfast!
Racist joe
Grifter Galloway doing what no rebel would do
👇
https://youtu.be/Ssh_RfB89MI?si=LvzVueTL14YueLJG
Ernie Lynch is a meek figure now on sentinel Celts
Brendan would not listen to him any more than the seatless grifter who you as he says himself now follows Man Utd,it’s what grifters do,even using his son as an excuse,that what happens,no once a tim always a grifter eh racist joe.
Grifter george is a one trick electoral pony,even those “brown people”(followers of islam) you despise saw thro the grifter as George is all bout George,his electorate repelled his invasion,leaving him to rattle cages to minority audiences and viewers of a brexit/racist twist such as yourself.
You should listen to Bernard Ponsonby at Acsom,an enjoyable chat outlining Celtics founding to feed the poor and as a identity for the influx of refugees who came to Glasgow.
Grifter George accepts this,even he would abhor your ‘brown people”invasion racist shoit that you suck up from whichever racist litrature you crayon.Bernard tho goes on to say those “brown people”racist joe and followers of a minority faith have a natural path to follow to at Celtic.
https://youtu.be/Ssh_RfB89MI?si=LvzVueTL14YueLJG
Jeremy Corbyn has more integrity under his fingernails racist joe,maybe that’s why he rejected George’s(full of racists) wurkuz party.
If you want a view of how a fellow Grifter Gobbleteer acts hereask your fellow grifter fan and multimoniker boatchaser Darwin/dobyin/Cloud9/JHB/Andrena and Galloway phone in plant Tommy(the ranter)
Fook between the 2 of you,you would get a blackshirt rally well attended,hidden idiots and non attenders the pair of you
Refugees are welcome
Racism like as expressed by your monikers is not.
3up
Any sausage to Belfast game?
A T , Is that a Larne sausage air looking for😀
said in correct accent too Sftb,still wondering if I hayv tae wi ma free:-)))
HH
Is Johnny Kenny our top scorer in Europe this year?
Ponsonby is as pretentious as you AT.
Here’s why Ponsonby didn’t have the ballls to interview Mr GG 👇️
https://youtu.be/J7p7CAyxHgg?si=uzuUCaOk7UbXiZPF
Mr GG would have asked Pretentious Ponsonby why a supposed die hard Tim had zero to say about this krankie sellout when it is his job to hold these creeps to account which he did not do coz he’s also a fake….👇️
“Protestant Supremacy at Celtic Park”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLQolvBmUgM&pp=ygUxZ2VvcmdlIGdhbGxvd3kgcHJvdGV0YW50IHN1cHJlbWFjeSBhdCBjZWx0aWMgcGFyaw%3D%3D
The nat vermin Timmy haters for whom Ponsonby and ALL of the rest of the local Scottish Hun licking media were shilling for.
And Dimmy still dizny get it.
Why are the SNP sitting in Westminster arse licking the royals if they want Independence?
Sinn Fein don’t take their seats coz they are less fake than SNP who AT votes for then dizny have the balls to admit it – coz AT is also a fake.
Prove me wrong if you’ve got the stuff.
mods, ordinary joe joe used the term ‘bulleted’ wrt to BR yesterday