In eight days Brendan Rodgers takes Celtic into the Camp Nou to face Barcelona. While Barca are not current European champions, there is little doubt they are the best team in the world at the moment, and no doubt whatsoever that they are the greatest team of the era. A gargantuan task lies ahead. This week we’ll have a look at that challenge and how we might best prepare.
While Brendan has carried all before him in domestic football, and at home in Europe, his Celtic lost in Gibraltar and Israel, while taking a creditable draw in Kazakhstan. Playing in the Camp Nou is another world entirely, however.
Neil Lennon did very well top inhibit Barcelona on three of the four occasions he managed Celtic against them (the fourth was a dead rubber for Celtic, who conceded six, but was a must-win for Barcelona).
On the three meaningful Celtic games, we won once, lost once with 10 men, and conceded a last minute winner in the Camp Nou. A remarkable return against one of the best teams in the history of the game.
Neil’s team defended his 18-yard-box with remarkable endeavour, even with Efe Ambrose and Kelvin Wilson in central defence – and Adam Matthews at left back. Not exactly a legendary defensive line-up, but what Neil proved more than anything, football is about the system, not the individuals.
In some respects, defending against Barcelona will be more straightforward than against St Johnstone. There will be no reluctance to clear the ball long, instead of trying to thread a pass in the middle of our own half. There should be no complacency, and at all times defenders should be aware that their defensive partners are not far away.
In defending the 18-yard-box, Neil’s Celtic conceded space near the corner flag, an area we would normally contest, as this is where dangerous cross balls can emanate from. What that Celtic team had was no only a comfortable height advantage over Barcelona, but this advantage combined with a natural ability in the air, which say Celtic score regularly and defend successfully.
I expect Mikael Lustig, Erik Sviatchenko and Kolo Toure all to play along the back line (will be amazed and concerned if Mikael plays a conventional right back role), with Nir Bitton dropping deep from midfield. So we will not be short of height, but gelling them into a cohesive unit will be one of Brendan’s major tasks when players return from international duty.
622 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
new article posted.
LUCKY CODY. 1050PM
“I stopped buying The Herald and even talked my dentist into cancelling.”
How did you manage that?
I struggle at the best of times to formulate a decent argument-I’m a genius at starting one,mind!-but I canny string two mmmggfesyh mmmggfesyh together wi a mouthful of fingers and implements.
So the linesman in his excitement ‘shouted’………………………..PEENNAAALLLTTTYYYY
To The Rangers
Sounds Familiar CSC
Manchester. Derby kicking off at half 12 ????
Well that will give all those Huns leaving Celtic Park at half time the opportunity to catch the last half hour of the first half
If Celtic play as celtic can with pace movement and pressing they won’t cope and I’m not complacent just confident in our team and its management
Can anyone enlighten me as to why the Albania match was abandoned last night?
I’ve been all over the internet, even UEFA. COM, and can find no mention of it.
PAUL67
I honestly thought that DM should have been given a lot of game time before the events you reference. I’d heard about him,and tbh was no fan of RD.
It was indeed an amazing display. The Alamo,in fact.
Not only David’s finest hour-and he still has time to match it-but also,sadly,that of John Kennedy.
Another young goalie thrown into the fray was Stuart Kerr. His career stuttered and eventually stalled through injury in his mid-twenties.
But he’ll always have my gratitude to standing up to baboon-arse-heid Hately.
We will need some of that on Saturday.
Naturefacts #1
The Woodcock and the Collum are the only creatures in the natural world to have a 360 degree field of vision.
Auld Tam
Torrential rain
I don’t see any glaringly bad decisions. It’s more likely it will be constant stoppages, lots of free-kicks, players being spoken to but no time added on. Anything to stop us getting into a flow.
AULD TAM on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:09 PM
Can anyone enlighten me as to why the Albania match was abandoned last night?
Albania 1-1 FYR Macedonia – abandoned in 76th minute, resumes 14CEST Tuesday
The last 14 minutes of this fixture will be played on Tuesday after the match was abandoned due to adverse weather conditions. Armando Sadiku’s early goal for Albania had been cancelled out in the 51st minute by Egzijan Alioski.
Saw the torrential rain answer there and, sad man that I am, checked the G40 postecode forecast for Saturday….cloudless day with a 14degree temp. Which team will prefer that? And which way would you rather face each half?
All going as it should , we should win and win well . Despite the MIBS , who will without question play a part on their behalf , and you can take that to the bank . 7 points in front after just 5 games , can’t see it being allowed to happen . I also have grave concerns with regards our slight midfield . We all saw the semi final . And we will be starting with the same bhoys . I have no fears regards our players being superior to newco,s . But tougher they are not , if I am proved wrong ,which I sincerely hope I am . Then the result will be in no doubt . But for me it’s a concern .
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/sep/06/bomb-attacks-and-boycotts-how-football-corruption-in-cyprus-turned-nasty
Whistle blower in Cyprus. 67% of players now admit games are rigged.