Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton discussed where he felt it went wrong for the Hoops tonight against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park.
Sutton believes that the Hoops’ style of play, although bold, was ultimately not suitable given the final scoreline and the early goal for the German giants.
Celtic wanted to go toe to toe… good to be positive but there comes a time when you have to be a bit streetwise and understand levels . Throwing lots of bodies forward when you’re 7-1 down seemed a bit naive… a bit like Madrid… way too open and ruthlessly exploited…
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) October 1, 2024
The Englishman is spot on; given the early traction of the game, continuing to play in such an open way was criminal, as it was clear that Dortmund were going to create chances at will.
With Celtic’s high line and lack of defensive cover from midfield, the attacking 4-3-3 shape did not work well defensively.
Sutton points to Neil Lennon’s message during commentary, suggesting that Celtic needed to be more streetwise by playing the ball long more, into the channels and testing Dortmund in behind with Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi.
However, since this is not exactly how Celtic play domestically at all times, it’s clear why they didn’t employ this style from the start.
Given the result, though, it appears that a new approach in Europe may be needed after such a humbling loss.
With lightning quick attackers a more counter-attacking style which soaks up defensive pressure may be more successful in the future.
Our team is set up to play a certain way?
Now we can’t go around rejoicing in the manner that we have been playing up until tonight, and now calls to totally rip up the script and start all over again imo?
The difference between the shite we face within the SPFL and the big guns within the CL, couldn’t be greater, yet we tried to stick with what has been so successful this season, until tonight?
Don’t see how Rodgers can change to much now, with the set up of the team, especially without a proper defensive midfielder within the team?
Might have to look at starting idah, with giving ourselves more of an out ball, with able to go longer, than playing ourselves into trouble with the shorter passing game, that Dortmund were able to pick off far to easily?
But Rodgers has some big decisions to make before our next CL away day match?
But before then, I still hope we stick with how we have been playing within the SPFL?
Same feckin naivety as I watched all those years ago in the Neu Camp. A manager who has learned zilch. The definition of madness, repeating the same action and expecting a different result. We cant go “toe-to-toe” with the big teams and you should accept that and the blame Brendan, not the players mistakes.
We can’t defend, 2 fullbacks who go forward and fail to get back in position.
Trusty gets pulled forward and leaves a canyon behind him, Carter Vickers sees back to cover that area.
Bernardo & Engels were non existent, as was Kuhn.
All in Rodgers only has a plan A. There is no plan B.
Playing in a Scottish league is entirely different to European opposition.
Celtic were the St Johnstone of Europe against Dortmund.
Until we learn how to defend, these type of results will continue.
Marks out of 10 = 1 for the goal scored.
The match could have ended 14-1.