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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I’ve already put my tin hat on so feel free, but I thought that we were poor at the back against the zombies.
Lustig was at fault for the goal as was the keeper and they nearly scored again through Lustigs position.
De Vries is no improvement on Gordon and the most worrying of all was Lardass’s son rampaging through the centre of our midfield. But this isn’t a new problem, was last nights result any worse than say getting beat 3-0 by Rosenborg? I don’t think so. It’s the fact that we seem to keep watching the same movie over and over again. Is there an answer? I don’t know but when we were put into this group I could have wept.
I never lose hope where Celtic are concerned, I think this is the best group of players we have assemble for a while, but serious consideration is needed for Europe. I saw no plan at all last night.
BurgasHoops, I like your optimism. Hard to see what is behind it. Did you watch the wee Manchester team win 5-0 away to the Romanian champions, after missing 2 penalties? Did you watch them take the big Manchester team apart in the first half last weekend? Did you watch Munchengladbach take 9 off the Swiss champions over two legs?
Silva, Aguero, DeBruyne and company, ( or even Kompany ) await us at Celtic Park. We set group stage records for goals lost by us in a single game, and margin of victory by Barca. We are in danger of setting the record for goals lost in a CL group this season, unless we get a lot tighter at the back.
As to last night, the embarrassment may have been a tad less if Dorus had more presence, if Gamboa did not look like a deer in the headlights, if we had played a telegraph pole rather than Bitton, ( watch him in the wall when Neymar takes his free kick – he makes no attempt to jump ), if performances had matched those of Brown, Sinclair, and possibly Toure, if Dembele had scored from the penalty ( he is going to miss more if he sticks with that short run and stutter technique), and if Brendan had introduced fresh legs earlier.
I do not wish to pick on a single player, but Bitton is unfortunately far too languid and slow, exhibits no dynamism whatsoever, drifts aimlessly about the park, and never tackles anyone. We played a man short against possibly the best team in the world. O.K. I guess that is picking on a single player.
Ah well, it’s over now. I just hope Brendan learned a lot, and that it translates into creditable performances in the next 5 ties.
IniquitousIV
The Battered Bunnet on 14th September 2016 1:39 pm
Point of order:
We didn’t buy Victor Wanyama because he was a defensive midfielder.
We bought him because he was Victor Wanyama: a 19 year old bull of an athlete with a high level of skill, an intoxicating mix for any scout.
We didn’t even know he was a defensive midfielder before we signed him, Johan Mjallby no less quoted at the time as saying he would develop into an ideal centre half as he matured.
His playing position was irrelevant to his purchase: He was a young, talented footballer in whom we saw an ideal development project and a gain on disposal. It was a well judged purchase in that respect.
The fact that he’s subsequently become a top-class defensive midfielder is beside the point.
———
The point is he was our last defensive midfielder, he left seven transfer windows ago and hasn’t been replaced. And it’s costing us.
Would a defensive midfielder really have made any difference last night?
I suppose if he’d taken the penalty………………
MARKIEBHOY…
“most worrying of all was Lardass’s son rampaging through the centre of our midfield.”
= = = = = = =
Don’t worry too much,it didn’t happen. ;))
Oh and Dembele should be getting a severe talking to for the way he took that penalty.
When I saw the length of his run up, about 2 steps I knew he was missing it.
And I said so to my tv cabinet at the time.
(Well there wis naebdy else in the room at the time)
I have just had a read of some of the comments on Phil mac`s site. I truly am astounded of forehead that so many Celtic supporters seem to believe that if we, as a support, behave well, then the MSSM will not say anything negative about us.
JJ
Dear God.
For those still lacking perspective, here’s a wee introduction for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS12p0Zqlt0
Philbhoy
So ye jinxed him ,did ye? Somehow, I knew it was your fault….
;)
Henke left 25 windows ago and we’ve still not replaced him. Disgrace so it is.
Mike in Toronto
Very good analysis big fhella, and agree with most of that
I do believe we have some very talented young players coming through who may be able to play that way – sometimes we do not need to try and buy our way, but give youth a chance, particularly in the SPFL and for me League cup
Hail Hail
How many windows did CR Smith leave????
Philbhoy
He did the same penalty in an earlier game this season – and scored :-))
I hope all you experts are having a word with Brendan, hell, we don’t want him stumbling into any more disasters like last night.
TonyDunnelly will set up the meets througt Peter Lawwell, his friend.
INIQUITOUSIV
All i can say is that i dont watch english football. Bulgaria TV has taken the Bundesliga to their heart, so we see very little of the EPL phish.
And i’ve never seen this Shitty City side play (since they left Maine Rd)
I just have a dislike for them which stems away back to the late 70’s early 80’s when i lived in Manchester.
Of course Man City was the HUN side of Manchester, and i’ve no reason to think that has changed over the yrs.
But i’ll have a friendly bet with anyone who thinks the wee team of Manchester can do a Barca on us at home.
COWIEBHOY
Aye but no against Barcelona, to make it 1-1 and who knows?
:-(
If ……………………………………….
Ifs and ands were pots and pans
there be no need for tinkers hands.
If……………………………………….
Yer auntie had baws she’d be yer uncle!
20/20 hindsight here for something we all had 20/20 foresight of.
Bitton wasn’t solely responsible; Victor would have made a bit of a difference but we would still have got beaten.
Ronny wouldn’t have got us there; Craig Gordon wouldn’t have made a difference.
No-one criticised the way big Moussa took the penalty against Astana.
We could lose 8 against Manc City at home; we could snatch a scabby 2-1 win against and be delighted.
So do any of you guys who have worked out the solution have Friday’s Euromillions numbers for me?
We pumped them on Saturday so I’m still a happy man!
FAC the Act
KTF
Just heard a sample of Neymar’s singing (he’s hoping to make it as a pop star).
The old expression: don’t give up your day job springs to mind!
Personally – I hope he jumps into it with both feet – preferably before the return leg at CP.
DogsHowlingCSC!
How many windows did CR Smith leave????
How many windows RC smith. Leave
HH
VFR …
how ya’ doing mate?
Of course, it is hindsight. But, not entirely unexepcted.
We beat a corpse on the weekend. Better than getting beat by a corpse, I agree, but really, not much to crow about. Particularly, when one considers what winning in Scotland gets (what? 2 million in TV revenue?) vs. what qualifying for one year of the CL gets us (what? 20 million?)
The game in Scotland is dying, if not dead. Euro is where the game is going, and, frankly, where the money is now. We need to adjust our sights, and cut our cloth, accordingly.
And email me about the lotto numbers… I’m happy to split it with you, but dont want to just post them on the blog, as then our shares would be far too diluted! :)
WITS – Not sure if you’re on or not, heard anything for Ayr on Saturday ?
Not much to add to what has been stated already, although I haven’t read thru all the posts so far.
Apologises if anyone else has already said this but it will be very interesting to see how our other group rivals especially BM fare against Barca when they are in that kind of mood ?
Onwards and upwards Celtic as we sang to the zombies on Saturday, ” always look on the bright side of life” !
I expect some changes to the starting xi for Sunday but I would imagine not too many.
I was thinking towards the end of the game last night….thank God we missed the penalty as if we had scored Barca may have got angry ????
A minor observation that wee runt Naymer going down lack a sack of totties yet again ?
Never ever liked him, and anyway he couldn’t get a game for us !
07 23 33 34 45 – 03 07,
But don’t tell anybody.
BABASONICOS71 on 14th September 2016 3:11 pm
Henke left 25 windows ago and we’ve still not replaced him. Disgrace so it
——
We haven’t signed a striker in 25 windows? Wow…
So, when the ICT fans sing “Champions League yer havin’ a laugh”, what will we sing back at them?
GLASSTWITHIRDSFULL…
It’s pane-ful stuff.
Many windows since Jinky left? ;))
PHILBHOY
Astra Astra Astra:)))
PHILBHOY
Wont matter what we sing at them, they’ll be to busy rolling their troosers up to keep dry (high tide at K/O)
Has anyone read any explanation re Rogics absence?
oops
*TWOTHIRDS
Apologies bud
VFR
“No one criticized the way big Moussa took the penalty against Astana.”
True, but I think there is a good chance that Barca reviewed it on film, and the keeper, from Moussa’s stance, knew where it was going. If Moussa was not intending the keeper to move first, why take the stutter step? Typically, those who use the stutter, make the keeper move, then put it in the opposite corner. Not even sure the technique is legal.
IniquitousIV
MIKE IN TORONTO on 14TH SEPTEMBER 2016 3:24 PM
Mike, I’m doing fine. I agree that football in Scotland is on it’s last legs; something has to change. What we need to do is make sure that we are still at the top table when things start to change and get access to the top “European” league and the cash that will go with it. Then we can maybe make an impact because we do have a global reach in terms of fans and TV audiences.
FAC the Act
KTF
Like everyone, I’m seriously unhappy about the heavy defeat. But a touch of realism is needed here instead of knee jerk reactions.
1 Barca were scintillating last night, everything came off forthem
2 We set up wrongly
3 If we had beaten them with that set up, Brenadan would be a hero again, but we didn’t.
4 We are a huge fish in a small pond, fact, and that probably won’t change
5 Our earning potential , what potential.
6 We sadly must just keep doing what we do and remain the best team in Scotland
7 Hope for an easier draw in the cL next year
That’s it, a reality pill for me, merde
KINGLuBO
INIQUITOUSIV on 14TH SEPTEMBER 2016 3:41 PM
I hate the “non-run up” for a penalty. I think more are missed than scored.
The point I’m trying to make (but obviously no’ very well) is that it’s all if and ands; as has been said earlier, even with Forster, Van Djik, Victor et al I don’t think we would have taken anything from the game last night. They were just too good. All the next day analysis ain’t gonna change that.
It was a sore one, but expected. So let’s move on.
FAC the Act
KTF
It’s 79 years since Jimmy McGrory played his last game for Celtic and we’ve still not replaced him with another 500+ goals striker.
Shocking ineptitude on behalf of the club.
First time for everything is suppose, agree that the wrong system is to blame, moneyball can never be maintained, Lenny should have got the backing he deserved to build a team.
Philbhoy,
Champions league we’re havin a laugh,
We’re havin a laugh in the champions league.
Simples but effective no ?
Barca are so good if they played darts they’d do an 8 dart finish.