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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Last post should read Milan at Celtic park 69
Boarded a plane last night at two down v Barca. Was very ashamed t see we had capitulated and shipped another five when landing at Glasgow.
Having seen the goals and read the comments from Iniesta and Enrique, I feel a bit better. Looks
like we got them on a bad night/ good night depending where you sit
On to Sunday and it would be good to see.a few, not many, changes and take the league record forward. ICT are a big physical side and we should be wary but confident.
Lennybhoy, An Tearman,Setting Free The Bears,Dick Byrne and Delaneys Dunky. Thank you very much for fantastic company last Friday. My big thank you to Blantyretim, TBJ and DD for their help.
Oldtim67.You are hundred percent sold to Celtic, one of the best guys anyone can meet.
Celtic stadium,in lights,green, looked fantastic at 9pm from few hundred yards above.
The best team at Celtic Park so far this season, not playing in hoops, were Wolfsburg. Only lasted 45 minutes.
Coach after the game spoke about his 1st half team playing well. Early season combinations and sequences not quite in tune yet.
Whenever they turned over possession, immediately their front six just took off towards our goal. One of my favourite pre-season games down the years.
ZBYSZEK:
Enjoyed yours and the rest of the Bhoys company, sorry couldn’t stay longer, I had a long day and another on the Saturday…:)
Did OldTim get you to the Church on Sunday and more importantly did he go?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Sporting Lisbon go to Real Madrid and score early in the 2nd half to go one nil up.
That’s how a team in hoops should perform :-)
Winning Captains
Teams we have played at Ibrox.
Sunderland, Hearts and Everton
Empire Exhibition Trophy
Zbyszek
Glad you enjoyed your wee break
Got 1 adult and 2 concession (U16 or over 65) tickets spare for Borussia M game. Face value.
celticrollercoaster@yahoo.co.uk
HH
CRC
Zbyszek
Nice to have seen you again fella.
Take care of yourself!
Lennybhoy Oldtim67 did not go with me to the Church on Sunday but he did walk with me there on Saturday to show me where it is :-)
Lennybhoy …. I see Legia are down 4-0 at home at half time to Borussia … so, I”m guessing that Z and OT didn’t make it to mass on the weekend….
I didn’t make it this weekend myself, which, I believe may partly explain why the bhoys didn’t do so well yesterday …. I’ll make sure I get to mass and light a candle or two before our next CL match! :)
Wouldn’t mind a peek at Legia Warzaw Quick News.
Meltdoon.
A distraction and perhaps something for that special person in your life and it’s just down the road in Bearsden.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-miscellaneous-goods/peat-bog-man-mummy.-life-size-replica-/1187902792
Apply some of that distinctive CQN humour to this please.
Blantyretim Yes, of course I did. Thank you, SFTB and take care.
Legia Warsaw getting well horses at home from Dortmund 4-0, which is nice….
Horsed even
CELTICROLLERCOASTER SUPPORTING SHAY,OUR BHOY WONDER ALONG THE WAY on 14TH SEPTEMBER 2016 8:55 PM
I’ll take them off your hands. E-mail me on vfr800a8@me.com
FAC the Act
KTF
Legia Warsaw got promoted to the Champions League but as it turned very quickly gave the job to one of the biggest idiots among the coaches. He changed both Central Back for today. One is having his debut, while the other one is playing his second game for Legia. The left winger is having his debut as our left back today. The guy in midfield who was both few weeks ago is having his debut game today too. You would think the Legia coach is China Communist Party revolutioner , but he very likely is not the one.
Here’s my take on last night.
Barcelona were awesome. They have so much class throughout their team and they have years of experience of competing at this level. Three world class strikers and all of them at the top of their game. They are like the Harlem Globetrotters of modern football.
Then of course there is the massive revenue streams they have accompanied by massive debt.
We have limited income streams, yet we are solvent. We have been downsizing for so long that the quality of player we can recruit just doesn’t compare with the elite teams.
Harping back at the downsizing will change nothing. We had a chance to invest in players who could compete in the CL but blew it when rangers died.
So we are where we are. It’s time to be positive. Brendan has already rejuvenated the club and I think if he stays with us for at least three years we will improve significantly.
in many ways I would prefer us to come fourth in our group for the simple reason that I would like Brendan to only have domestic matches where he can concentrate on developing the team for next year’s European campaign.
85k at Wembley. Record home attendance for an English club game. Commentator didn’t mention Celtic v Leeds being the record away.
Big shout out to Jim & Pauline of Greenock CSC who are over here in Dublin for a few days. I met them in the Bad Ass Cafe last night and Pauline is a serial lurker on here. They are season ticket holders and go to away matches also.
VFR800A8 on 14TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:05 PM
Email sent, thanks
HH
CRC
Don’t know if it has already been mentioned with regards to the quiz question:
QUICK QUIZ…How many clubs have you seen Celtic play at Ibrox? Rangers, Raith Rovers, Falkirk, Dundee Utd and on Hogmanay Sevco/Rangers. Any more?
We played St Mirren at Ibrox the year of the 4-2 game. There was something up with Love Street and the first stand at Ibrox was nearing completion. We won and I think George McClusky scored.
Marrakesh,
Why are they playing there?
Man City 2-0 up and the stadium is a morgue. A football club with no soul.
CELTICROLLERCOASTER….
I know Desertbhoy is looking for a ticket, I don’t have contact details but maybe BMCUW will.HH
I’d say Brendan already has his transfer targets lined up for January and possibly end of season…
Still think we need 2 centre midfielders and centre half before we can even think of doing well again in champions league.
No doubt we are EL level but hopefully the CL 30m kitty will help us move up a level sooner.
Did anyone else hear Jim White today on Sly Sports News?
On mentioning the upcoming ‘Old Firm’ game on 31st December he ended with the words…
“Celtic have not beaten Rangers in the last four meetings at Ibrox”
I burst out laughing
Legia 5 down now.
JUSTSHATERED on 14TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:13 PM
We also played St.Mirren at Ibrox in`62 .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bdAqx5tZLA
:-(
Aguero hat trick
Too easy for MC .
Dog fight between Celtic and MGB. Feeling better now .
HH
A draw in two weeks against City would set us up very nicely for the BM match. Third is doable.
Rumour has it that sevco will be handed a bill for £100 ….just like getting a new player
Saw us play Hibs at thems place.Willie Falconer scored??
P B
Spurs stadium capacity cut to 20 odd thousand due to one getting built.
.. New one that is