Tonight, we face arguably the toughest test of Ange Postecoglou’s short term in charge of our team. Ange and his team have been criticised somewhat of late for fairly underwhelming performances and results in league duty. The last time we played in Europe was in Seville against Betis a fortnight or so ago. After we made significant headway in that game, we threw away a glorious opportunity for precious points in this Europa League group.
Bayer Leverkusen will present a significantly higher threat than that of the Spanish outfit. With a squad that would be the envy of most clubs, Leverkusen are distinctively German to boot, in that they are ruthless against poor opposition defending. If we gift Leverkusen as many guilt edged chances as Real Betis, we will falter quite severely tonight – and make no mistake about it.
However, rather than concentrate on the Bundesliga giants, we should be more focused on our own game. We’ve all seen what Angeball is capable of when in-sync. It can be devastating at any level, proven by the game away in Betis. For that first half an hour I have never seen as strong an away Celtic performance in Europe ever. Our downfall was that we didn’t finish them off before they were allowed to squeeze back into the game.
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And this brings me onto my main point: Celtic should ruthlessly exploit Jeremie Frimpong at Paradise. Frimpong, although sensational moving the ball forward, was found out on many occasions whilst he donned the hooped jersey. Small in stature and frame, Frimpong would often be out-muscled or beaten in the air by switches of play and searching diagonal balls. This should have Jota and Abada licking their lips.
Frimpong’s natural instinct is to press forward continually, and if Celtic can be quick enough in transitions we have the potential to really inflict damage down the Bayer right-hand side. It was pointed out in an earlier article in The Celtic Star, that their two at the base of midfield are inclined to push on too, leaving significant gaps at times between defence and midfield for the club from North Rhine-Westphalia. Celtic must be utterly ruthless if we are to emerge unscathed from this arena tonight.
Jota would be my preference to stay high and wide as Leverkusen move into our half; so as to have an advantage if they lose the ball to us in transition. Frimpong will undoubtedly struggle if we manage to make diagonal switches also. He was infamous for being caught out with these whilst at Celtic Park.
This game should be a thriller if both teams style of play is anything to go by. But maybe, just maybe Celtic have a chance to snatch victory if they exploit the deficiencies in Jeremie Frimpong’s armoury.
And who knows, by the end of the game it could be us saying, “Oh my days!”, as the Tic have another famous win at Paradise.
Paul Gillespie