Brendan proved his tactical nous back at Celtic switching to 3-5-2…
One of the main reasons we got something from last night’s game was the tactical shuffle by Brendan Rodgers. Celtic were very much the better side in the game, but it was pretty evident that we started to tire around the hour mark as Atletico Madrid eyed an unlikely away win after and despite a dominant first half from the Hoops it was the visitors who had gained the initiative in the match and were pressing for a winner.
It wasn’t really surprising considering the effort we put into the game, and it looked like Atletico might expose us until a tactical intervention by Brendan Rodgers. The Irishman took off the tiring Luis Palma and replaced him with Nat Phillips. It was a surprise to everyone in the ground, but in the end it very likely won us a point.
Brendan made a big call and got it absolutely spot on, he could see what was happening and quickly rectified the situation. It’s what top coaches do. Diego Simone also did something similar at the break and I think it’s fair to say Atletico shaded the second half, got their equaliser and were pushing for a winner until the crucial tactical adjustment from the Celtic manager.
Brendan seems to have learned lessons from his last spell in charge of the club regarding European football. He’s a much better manager for it, and the added experience of his spell down south with Leicester City has further improved his knowledge of the game.
Celtic v Hibernian – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou waves to fans as he arrives at Celtic Park before the match at Celtic Park on: Saturday March 18, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
We were gutted when Ange Postecoglou left, but we have just as good a manager in Brendan. But here’s the thing. Ange told us many times that he didn’t have a Plan B and his teams would always play the same way. Accordingly Ange would not have in all likelihood changed shape to deal with the opponent’s thread and his own team tiring. Would Ange’s tactics have got us a point last night? Probably not.
In both recent Champions League campaigns under and Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers we have been at our most vulnerable in the last quarter of the match. Changing to 3-5-2 seemed to stem the tide and it’s maybe a lesson we can learn from going forward.
Get a lead then lock the back door is maybe more pragmatic but it’s certainly better than being the Champions League unlucky losers.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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