Celtic showcase Champions League resilience in Bergamo

Celtic’s Champions League Resilience: Rodgers defends his tactics post-Dortmund and turns it around brilliantly against Atalanta…

Celtic supporters were disappointed after the first away match in this season’s Champions League where they suffered a heavy 7-1 hammering at the hands of Borussia Dortmund. That result evoked strong reactions among both Celtic fans and analysts with most calling for a change in the club’s tactics on these away-days and that was duly provided by Brendan Rodgers and his players in Bergamo on Wednesday night were the Europa League holders could not find a way past Celtic’s Green Wall.

The Borussia Dortmund Defeat – What Went Wrong?

Celtic’s clash with Borussia Dortmund showcased several key factors contributing to their defeat and these were all resolved and corrected in Bergamo in the next match which ended goalless, thus winning a valuable point for the Scottish Champions.

Key Moments and Decisions

Defensive Lapses: Celtic were leaky at the back especially when they allowed their opponents to take free kicks, corners and of course penalty kicks. These are areas that Dortmund exploited to score telling goals as they exposed Celtic’s backline. Celtic corrected this against Atalanta.

Offensive Inefficiencies: As sparkling as some of Celtic’s attacking looks domestically, they never possessed the killer instinct in the final third against Dortmund.  Celtic denied Atalanta’s attacking players the room to operated and left the Italian side frustrated by the stubborn Scottish resistance.

Tactical Missteps: Rodgers’ choice of when to make substitutions and changes within the fixtures during the game can be an issue. Some fans felt that a more aggressive approach could have altered the outcome. Again in Bergamo this as corrected with each substitute coming on to do their part in Celtic securing such a valuable Champions League point.

Fan and Expert Reactions

The Celtic defenders were accused of poor performances during the match in Dortmund, there was a lot of criticism on the part of the supporters towards players like Auston Trusty and Liam Scales. Yet against Atalanta both were praised to the heavens by an elated Celtic support delighted with the defending by the entire Celtic team The lack of cohesion in the backline was also a major concern and really bothered Celtic supporters, yet the manager and his team stood up to be counted against Atalanta and Kasper Schmeichel went from shipping seven in Dortmund to securing a clean sheet in Bergamo.

At the same time, the fans commented on the Dortmund match on social networks, some of which were bothered by the tactical approach that led to a heavy defeat. Sports analysts also chimed in insisting that some changes in strategy are feasible against elite clubs like Dortmund. It was all very different on Wednesday night.

Despite the Dortmund defeat in the context of supporting their team, many fans engage with sports betting, thus enhancing the excitement around matches. Online casinos also offer opportunities for fans to experience the thrill of the game, especially with promotions such as a no deposit bonus that allows for some additional fun while enjoying the match. The rush that comes with wagering can lift the spirits even after a loss especially if the fans manage to make some money by backing their team to get a draw against Atalanta.

Rodgers’ Response: Staying Committed to the Game Plan

After the Dortmund defeat, Brendan Rodgers came out in support of his tactics. He emphasised his commitment to a cohesive football tactic, believing that the team could bounce back from setbacks. Here are some key statements from Rodgers:

Tactical Philosophy: Rodgers said: “I know and trust the strategies we are using and the methods we have applied.  We’ve seen success with it before, and it’s crucial we remain focused on our style of play.”
Response to Criticism: In response to the criticism he commented: “Any defeat is always a good opportunity to learn. We must evaluate our feelings and be honest about what we have decided is favourable for the team.”

The thing is that Rodgers remains persistent in his approach mainly because he believes in the benefits of football and the importance of consistency in tactical execution. Self belief is important as Celtic will look to come back stronger from this defeat and get a result in the tournament.

Brendan said he was NOT going to change his tactics, thus double bluffing his Atalanta counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini who said afterwards: “Celtic defended very well, I have never seen them defending so deep.” It was a masterstroke from the Celtic manager.

Should Celtic Adjust their Tactics ongoing?

As discussions about potential tactical adjustments continue, fans and pundits remain divided on whether changes are necessary after Atalanta where a point was both made and taken.

Arguments for Adjustments

Team Weaknesses: It has been suggested that Celtic needs to make changes to the formation and to the system  because of the weaknesses that they have revealed while playing against Dortmund. This could mean tightening the defence and adopting a more cautious approach against the better-ranked teams. Now that this has been shown to work, Celtic should look to play all there away matches in the Champions League this way.

Upcoming Challenges: However, for the next difficult home matches, a change may also be required especially against RB Leipzig who have lost their opening three matches against tough opponents and desperately need three points in Glasgow.

Arguments Against Adjustments

Established Success: Some people think that changing the tactics at Celtic Park might cause the team to get out of sync. Celtic has registered good performances in domestic football with the current setup and changing the style of play could risk this.

Strengths of the Team: Emphasising the offensive capabilities of players like Kyogo Furuhashi could be more beneficial than shifting to a defensive style, against RB Leipzig who will be forced to attack Celtic leaving space for Celtic’s pacy forwards like Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn.

Alternative Strategies

More Aggressive Pressing: Implementing a higher pressing game to disrupt opponents and regain possession quickly could capitalise on Celtic’s speed and skill but only against weaker teams in the Champions League.
Formation Changes: Changing to another formation that emphasises the width of the team and creativity could assist Celtic to take benefit of their striking forces.

As fans tune in to Celtic game live stream free, they will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on whether these tactical adjustments are made in future matches.

Upcoming Matches and Current Standings

Celtic’s schedule is packed with crucial fixtures following the Atalanta game.

Key Upcoming Fixtures

Domestic League Matches: Celtic will continue competing in the Scottish Premiership, offering a chance to build momentum and confidence in their tactics. Fir Park tomorrow against Motherwell and then on Wednesday night Dundee visit Celtic Park and Brendan Rodgers will be looking forward to taking six points then turn his attention to playing Aberdeen at Hampden in the League Cup semi-final a week today.

Champions League Fixtures: Their next significant matches include:

5 November  2024: Celtic vs. RB Leipzig
27 November 2024: Celtic vs. Club Brugge

Celtic will be looking at taking at least four points from these two home matches that would give them eight points from four games. With the amazing atmosphere at Celtic Park guaranteed the players will get every encouragement from the 58,000 Celtic supporters at the matches.

Following the loss to Dortmund and the draw against Atalanta Celtic sits well placed in 20th position in the  Champions League table. Every point matters, and upcoming matches will be essential for their hopes of progression.

The next two games will see Celtic face opponents that could either make or frustrate their chances of advancing in the competition. Engaging with fans through various platforms can enhance fan engagement, creating a supportive environment as the team seeks to recover.

Conclusion

Celtic FC’s defeat to Borussia Dortmund sparked considerable debate surrounding Brendan Rodgers’ tactics and the Celtic manager responded magnificently in Bergamo. This defeat show the lack of effective defensive organisation and but Rodgers strongly believes in this system and his squad so is advocating for consistency and resilience.

As the team prepares for the next matches the issue of changes in tactics will remain topical. The resilience of Celtic FC will be tested as they navigate the challenges ahead, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the next stadium experience as they support their team. This is for now; more updates are expected soon as Celtic continues to work to achieve their Champions League ambitions in every other match it participates in this season.

With the right adjustments and unwavering support, Celtic FC will be able to use the advantages of football and accomplish their potential which is more than enough to achieve their goals regardless of the existing challenges. As the Celtic supports are fond of saying COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN.