What a great game of football. Brugge dominated from kick-off by figuring out how to block Celtic into submission. The game was 10 minutes old before we had possession for more than a few seconds. By contrast, Celtic were unable to return the block as Brugge regularly passed the ball out from the back. The visitors had done their homework and tactically dominated the first half. Celtic prepared for the last game they played, not this one.
Brugge have now twice benefited from a bizarre goal in this season’s Champions League. Their penalty against Aston Villa was, if anything, more ridiculous than Cameron Carter-Vickers passing the ball into his own net. The difference between the Villa mistake and last night’s was that Brugge forced the issue at Celtic Park. Carter-Vickers was the fourth Celtic player in possession pressed across the field, as Brugge hunted for a mistake. Bizarre, yes, but it was worked for and deserved.
The subdued Celtic Park crowd waited for Brendan Rodgers to make the necessary changes. When they arrived just before the hour, it took very little time for Brugge to be knocked off their tactical perch.
Alex Valle struggled for the first moments of his substitute appearance against Leipzig earlier this month. The contrast with last night could not be greater. He was composed on the ball, held onto it, drew opponents in and moved. A minute after coming on, he found Daizen Maeda, who scored an absolute peach from a tight angle, in what is becoming Celtic Champions League tradition – it went in off the far post.
Great games, like this one, don’t all need lots of chances. Brugge (and I) thought they had restored their lead, but the goal was ruled offside. Celtic created better openings that the visitors in the final period of the game, but nothing more than edge of the box chances.
Brugge boss, Nicky Hayen, takes a great deal of credit. Not many young managers from comparable leagues will come to Celtic Park and out-plan Brendan Rodgers like this. Brendan can also take credit for mapping out the changes just before the hour.
I also really liked the way the Bulgarian referee controlled the game. He let play flow and I didn’t disagree with a single foul or caution. He was also quick to get involved if he saw a hint of timewasting, and was so effective at this, there was little added time at the end of either half.
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Supporter: “You’re no a good goalie!”
Davie Adams: “Maybe no, but the Celtic board don’t know it yet!”
Davie Adams in banter with a supporter after losing a goal in a game.
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Paul67 et al
“Celtic prepared for the last game they played, not this one”
Never a truer word has been said in and on this dear green place”
Like Generals and Admirals, often guilty of fighting the last war.
Not so much the Maginot Line, more a midfield line-up spread across the park, (but without the ball), Bruges did not so much have to go round them, as through them with our hapless Captain CalMac unable to rally his troops into a defensive formation. Flanders versus flounders if you will.
Thankfully our chief strategist decided to launch a rearguard action in the second half of the battle, aided it has to be said by our lone Samurai Warrior down the left flank, and indeed could have achieved a late victory, pyrrhic probably, before the Armistice was called. And we live to fight another day, albeit next up…. the eastern front.
HailHailToTheChiefCSC
Celtic’s Alistair Johnston has been named on FIFA’s prestigious ‘The Best’ shortlist for defenders, an impressive accolade to be nominated for.
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Victory over Club Brugge in the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday afternoon has now secured Celtic’s place in the knockout stages of the competition with one game to spare.
Running out 1-0 winners over the Belgian side thanks to a first-half Daniel Cummings strike, the Under-19 side took their points tally to nine after five league matches.
With just one match remaining in the initial league phase, it means that Stephen McManus’ side have confirmed their place in the Round of 32.
As one of 22 sides to advance to the next stage of the competition from the league phase, there is still plenty to play for as the Bhoys take on Dinamo Zagreb on matchday six in Croatia.
Currently sitting 11th in the league table, the position which the Celts finish in will determine who they face in the next round.
A top six finish would see the Bhoys take on one of the teams that finishes in positions 17-22 in the table, and vice-versa should they drop and finish in those places.
Should the Hoops finish in one of their current positions between 7-16, they will instead face one of the club’s joining the knockout stage from the domestic champions path of the competition.
However, one thing is certain heading into their sixth and final league match – European football is secured after Christmas and the young Celtic side have a knockout tie to look forward to come February.
The draw for the next round will take place later this year in Nyon on December 20, when final places are determined.
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I thought Brugge were excellent on Wed and our midfield were certainly overrun in the first half.
I wouldn’t put it down fully to tactics though.
Our three lack pace and the ability to tackle – even gets shown up in SPL (Hearts goal last week, Aberdeen at home) sometimes but mostly we can cope. Bernardo brought that energy to the midfield second half but in fairness to the others, Brugge couldn’t keep that press up for 90 mins.
Our captain has lost the ball in contact a lot more than usual this season, inc SPL which hopefully is a blip
We have that type of player to fit our offensive side so I’m not complaining, just observing.
The fact we didn’t lose that game speaks very highly of our improved mentality from last year. 4 points from 6 then, 8 points from 5 now
Hail Hail
I was a little disappointed in our performance on Wednesday albeit Brugge were very effective and had a thought out game plan.
I thought all our attacking players were static most of night but especially in the first half. It was the same in Hertz game where there seemed no attempt to move the defenders and markers around a bit. It seemed too easy for opponents to sit on our players and with no movement in any direction the CBs had no where to go and no pass to make so it went sideways or backwards all night.
Was a little better in the 2nd half as with Hertz players need to take some responsibility to get away from markers and make it a little harder for them.
That said we stuck in, worked hard and had some good moments and a point verses that side is most definitely positive
Brugge #15 was excellent……a proper holder with excellent touch, awareness, strength and positional know how
Genuine question.
How many times on Wednesday did we execute a phase of play that
a. Involved 2 or more quick, incisive passes
AND
b. Broke through the lines of Bruges’ midfield as a result … leaving us attacking their back four as a group at pace?
From my recollection the answer is one time.
(Taylor-Maeda-Engels over the bar early in the game)
Same question about Bruges against us?
Again from recollection only?
Lots of times.
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Speaking after the match on Wednesday evening courtesy of Club Brugge’s official website, Hayen said, “I think 1-1 was definitely a fair result. Based on the first half, I even thought we deserved the 3 points and based on the second half, no more. We played well [first half]between the lines and everything we asked for was executed.
“You get a deserved lead and you find the right solutions. In the second half, it is just a little bit more difficult and we lose the ball just a little bit easier. This while in the first half our first ball after recovery was actually good every time and in the second half, it wasn’t.”
We did not have a stable midfield against Brugge.I will say it again,if Calmac is the anchorman,he should play that role.He is so desperate to get on the ball,he moves all over the place.Takes other players ground,they get cut out of the game.Engels is having a real hard time knowing where to go.Bernardo,more used to it.
I also think its affecting Calmacs game.Trying to do too much.In SPFL,you can get away with it,but Brugge exposed it.
Some really dodgy characters in Alfredos this morning. And that’s just the wummin.
new article posted.