Five at the back is an orthodox defensive shape, it’s not a headcount of defenders, which is the crux of where we went wrong last night: we chose the wrong system.
Consider the space between (debutant) Gamboa and Lustig at the first goal. No one was sure who should have been picking up Messi (reveal: it was Bitton, who didn’t track the run). There was uncertainty – presumably because we tried a new defensive system out at the Camp Nou.
Another consequence of five at the back is that your fullbacks don’t get midfield cover. Instead, Sinclair and Roberts were asked to work 40 yards out. This plan came at the cost of protecting Gamboa and Tierney.
The overwhelming tactical memory I have of our win against Barca four years ago was Neil Lennon doubling up in the fullback area.
Then we had two central defenders with Wanyama (a defensive mid, which Bitton is not) in front. Our two full backs were partnered with a wide midfield player. Diagrammatically that was four at the back, but whenever Barcelona were in possession (80% of the time), seven players were protecting the Celtic penalty area.
The abiding defensive memory from that night it the thicket of legs confronting Messi every time he got the ball. There was no space for him to pass and move into. Last night, he had more space inside the box to run into that he’ll see all season. It was simply the wrong system.
During the game I was pretty annoyed at Bitton, who I blamed for the first three goals, but he’s a deep-lying playmaker, not a defensive mid, and looked clueless in the position. Although even I know you need to track Messi’s forward runs, and my 11-yr-old knew they were about to score the third the minute we conceded a free kick 23 yards out in front of goal. Reveal: barging players 23 yards out is a mistake that gets you spoken to when playing 2004s football.
We had numbers but not a coherent defensive strategy. The lessons from The Beating of Barca in 2012 were lost. Four years ago we twice played them with these back fours:
Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Izaguirre
Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Matthews (out of position)
None of Wilson, Ambrose, Izaguirre or Matthews (at left back) would get in this Celtic team. They were all pretty standard-grade defenders, but with protection on the wings and in front, it worked.
After we lost the third concentration levels dipped, tired legs after Saturday would have been energised legs if we were still in touch. I’d also tell Scott Brown not to worry too much about giving the ball away. We’re not good enough to plan to regularly retain possession at the Camp Nou.
We’re a ‘two pass then lob it into the box or win a foul’ team at this level. Accept this and concentrate on what’s deliverable – “We are Celtic, try running through this thicket of legs”.
Scotts Brown and Sinclair played well. Moussa will beat himself up about the penalty but it was inconsequential. Gamboa and de Vries looked lost, as all Camp Nou opposition debutants (there can’t be many) and exposed keepers do.
It may have been the biggest loss in Europe but it doesn’t even come close to being our worst performance. It’s not even our worst performance in Europe of the season, so we’ll get over it quickly.
You and I both remember seven goal victories being overturned a week later. This is football. The leap required to deliver a tighter defensive system is not the magnitude it may appear.
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SFTB and Macjay
Last Exit to Brooklyn via Sunset Song
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 15TH SEPTEMBER 2016 1:28 AM
Quite right.
If we’re getting humped 7-0 it’s because we qualified to earn that right.
Reapeated participation will ensure a diminishing gap between us and the rich teams.
In Europe those who claim we have any prestige to begin with are fooling themselves. We have more history in one finger than most of them have in total, but their media and sugar daddy money makes them fat, bloated and arrogant. Give them the occasional bloody nose I say.
M McG
Will need to read that Selby novel again.
Changed my life 35 years ago. :)
SINCITYBHOY
Yip. That’s pretty much the deal.
We squandered our previous momentum,now we have to build it up again.
Ay.
Good one , Mags.
Rating: 3.9 – 16,009 votes
Last Exit to Brooklyn has 16009 ratings and 864 reviews. … What stays with you over time is a feeling of sorrow for lost, fucked-up lives.…moreYears ago, …. I also have a penchant for sad songs, movies about addiction, and slutty women. ….. I mean, technically Sunset Park in Brooklyn is like ten minutes away on foot, but …
I prefer cheery misery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGQiDmBmzUM
MACJAY
Cheery or cheesy?
Duty calls,misery me(!)
Watching the Citey vs MGB game today my San Francisco native missus innocently asked: “why do Manchester have all those empty seats, are their fans too poor to go?”
:-)
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 15TH SEPTEMBER 2016 1:55 AM
Cheesy Beatles ?
You had to be there.
Duty ? A man`s got to do……………….
Reward in heaven. :-)
SIN CITY BHOY on 15TH SEPTEMBER 2016 1:56 AM
:-)
Poor in spirit ?
I envy them nothing.
Bring back Franny Lee.
Unless big Billy is playing.
MACJAY
Just a jest-although I’m not sure even The Beatles rated their early stuff too highly.
Is it safe to come on?
No doubt the fall out would have been brutal to read.
I think if we had played Efe Ambrose in front of the CH’s we would not have looked half as bad.
Efe gets a terrible Rap for some inexplicable reason.
He just isn’t a Centre Half. Bonkers for Celtic Managers to keep on playing him there.
He is Athletic, Strong and very Skillful. Last night was tailor made for him in the role he should have always been playing.
Just one of those things I guess.
One thing I do know though, Efe would Never Ever give up.
If he is still there, even when he is being publically shunned – not making the Champions (LOLOL) League squad – He would give 100 % every Time he is selected to play for Celtic.
EFE.CSC
apols publicallypublicly
I’m thinking that Brendan is working out what has been going on @ Celtic and why they have Fallen so far.
Too many have now been Getting away with it. Not putting in enough – when paid so much more than Anyone else in the Country.
I expect Celtic to hoover up Cups like they are going out of fashion now, Domestically.
We are on the Road again.
No coincidence that the wee guy wanted Leigh and Kieran on his new tops for this Season.
They Always tried their hardest Last Season. Legends already.
The Shamrock is Growing.
As long as you don’t worship the Plant. :))
Worship it’s Creator…. Always.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 15TH SEPTEMBER 2016 3:33 AM
MACJAY
Just a jest-although I’m not sure even The Beatles rated their early stuff too highly.
===================================================================
What would they know ?
John said that the only thing that happened in the `60 s was that we all got dressed up .
:-)
Seriously , though , they had no clue about their worldwide power and influence.
I think Paul understands now.
Wee Gordon Strachan called Broonie on his comment, and quite rightly. It was a guy being called out.
WGS got Celtic out of the CL group stages twice.
Get a Footballing team together Celtic. Let the Ball do the Work.
Onwards and Upwards.
TCR + Hope
Life is So Important.
Sorry if I am repeating others assessment but have to get this off my chest.
That was one of the most naive defensive set-up I have ever seen.
Two lines of statues.
Yes, they maintained their lines but you have to move when somebody knocks the ball past you, we kept the lines as they walked the ball into the net.
After 20 minutes it was clear that it was not working but I did not see any tactical change.
I know its easy in hindsight but would’nt it have made sense to have a go (after you are 3 down, keep a back four or six and let others attack. Barca were ready for our long balls to a sole striker, dembele had 3 players marking him. Did you see how vulnerable barca were when you run at them with pace as sinclair did leading up to the penalty, I thought was to be the tactic for the night?
I have to say keeper was at fault for many of the goals, when you go there you need a world class performance from your keeper ala marshall / forster / gordon, De vries was way out over his ski’s.
You know what happens next, we gub Ross county then all is well again.
SANFRANCELTIC on 15TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:00 AM
Buenos dias , senor.
Don`t disagree.
Brendan must have been under so much pressure.
New boy on the block.
I`m confident he will engage in a serious post mortem and that lessons will be learned.
Five more C.L. to go . Let`s assess and judge then.
Meantime we`ll cry all the way to the bank.
Puir wee Rangers. What have they got to look forward to?
macjay1,
Grace
If only they Humble themselves…. they could be Good Sporting Rivals with so many Supporters.
The SFA leeches.
The SFA LEECHES.
We are tumbling because of the Golf/Bowling Club mentality.
It is obvious the links are from Scotland.
Scotland is so divided. It has no chance. The Devil is Divisive….. He just divides/Divides/divides/Divides/divides.
No point fighting battles you can’t win.
In the Mean TIME… whats that over your Shoulder?
PETEC on 15TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:16 AM
Thanks so much for that , Pete.
I had wondered how the G.B. version sounded .
Fitba was back on the work menu strangely enough yesterday despite there not being a peep about it since Monday morning.
My ‘Airdrie’ supporting colleague who has slithered past me without a word the last few days found a wee minute to stop and try to discuss our Barca tanking.
Would have been interesting to see this man up against Messi………
Saved for later for a proper read…….
Daniel Fergus McGrain
https://footballpink.net/2016/09/14/danny-mcgrain-the-man-that-never-gave-up/?
Get the Scots into the UK more than ever.
Make a British League happen.
Stipulation… It is a Newco Rangers. ;))
The ludicrous SNP have to be Embarressed with their Police State hopes.
;))
Money
Looking fot three tickets for the Gladbach game. A long shot but I will give it a try anyway
Celtic v Gladbach
HH
AWENAW
CELTICROLLERCOASTER offered just that last night.
Snapped up in no time. Good luck wi the search,mate.
THUNDERROAD
Tabbed the Danny link for later,bud. Cot for me,the dreaded split shift shortly.
Brexit, IMO, will be good for Scotland.
Roses & Gnu’s
BMCUWP
I saw that too late. Hoping there are more families who chose to go on holidays instead of going to CP for the school break
HH
AWENAW
Might be an idea to post it at the start of a new article.
You have taken the Fun out of EVERYTHING
That EU……….
Wrang wan.
Putin wisnae going in to protect Christians.
Interests only. Self Interests.
All Roads Lead to Damascus.
We are (not us) in the Middle of the Storm – it is so Calm as well at this Moment.
Israel is constantly on HIGH Alert.
Celtic Flags only now please.
JUST my jibber jabber.
Kojo was not daft.
Good morning friends.
Apart from being able to confirm that it is dry in East Kilbride, no further weather report is possible due to the really thick fog. Apologies.
BMCUWP,
I will. If anyone sees an offer take it. You know I’m good for it
HH
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KTF
Sun shining I’m Baangseng 33℃ with a lovely Breee. Having an English lunch with the wife and her sisters. English as in choice of language.
HH
Yes no specs … trying to look young