Originally published at: Bayer Leverkusen manager Gerardo Seoane explains how he beat Celtic
Bayer Leverkusen manager Gerardo Seoane has explained how his side overcame Celtic in the Europa League. The former Young Boys manager, who took the Swiss side to an excellent run in last year’s competition, explained that it was all about creating overloads. Due to Celtic’s flexible positioning and system, Seoane knew there’d be areas to…
Our current system is high risk high reward. When you don’t take your chances you lose.
On a good day you win comfortably and on a bad day you get well humped.
Playing this way against good opponents results in what happened last night.
Having watched Aberdeen recently I think we can take them for a few goals. 
3 Likes
Spot on its just a fact of life that attacking sides tend to be more vulnerable in defence but the fact remains had our finishing been more clinical then Bayers System would also have been in question as we actually created 4 or 5 clear scoring chances ourselves.
A 4-4 draw with the second best side in Germany at the moment would have made for some interesting headlines I should imagine.
But it wasn’t to be.
Those questioning that should also factor in we scored 3 in Spain against Betis and could have got a result there too but for our defensive weaknesses.
The score line does not represent what went on last night in full.
It wasn’t 4-0 game much the same as the huns wasn’t really a 1-0 loss with McGregor yet again keeping them in it to the final whistle.
Postecoglou cannot plan for a slip like Turnbulls or a dubious hand ball decision from a player with his back turned and his arms by his side?
It happens but at the minute it’s happening too often.
Once we sort out our defensive issues by bringing in the better quality players we currently have out in Jullien,Juranovic,Taylor and Scales then things should improve markedly.
We’ve essentially had a cobbled together back 4 with 2nd and 3rd choice players filling in due to Transfer activities,Injuries and bedding players in.
Not ideal when attempting to instal a new approach or system.
All that aside Kennedy needs replaced as a defensive coach.
He’s been the constant under Rodgers,Lennon amd Postecoglou and the issues we had then are still with us now.
That’s no coincidence.
HH
3 Likes
He forgot to mention his team cost a fortune to be honest .
2 Likes
I don’t see Ange changing the system… ever. Bar a tweek now and again, late in some games. The system is not going to work in every game but consistency will come with time and with better options in key areas. Namely, the full backs.
Ralston has in many ways been a revelation but he will never be an Ange player long term. His lack of natural athleticism and pace rules him out. His heart, honesty and effort is top drawer. But that’s not enough to function at the higher level in Ange-Ball.
In midfield a highly function McGregor is tailor made but the squad lacks a substitute for McGregor’s energy, stamina, touch and tactical nous.
The squad also lacks a replacement for Kyogo, unless Giakoumakis comes good.
Starfelt continues to look hesitant and his decision making and his passing looks suspect right now.
This is without doubt a project. We might not like it but that’s what it is.
I’ve been crying out for a coach that will bring through Celtic academy players, attack teams, pass the ball, move and not stick the ball up in the air, turning possession in to a 50/50 battle.
Ange takes some criticism for displays where we have played from the back against low block opposition and failed to get between them or behind them. And I’m not sure goes much of that is the players and how much of it is Ange.
The manger needs to add at least one coach of his own choosing, he needs backing in the winter transfer window and he needs a fitness coach with top quality attention to detail.
Bayer Leverkusen gubbed us 4-0 in a game that could’ve finished a high scoring draw. And we matched their possession of the ball.
We got beat 4-3 by a top La Liga side. Away from home.
Consistency, improved fitness and better player recruitment will see us compete for results, as well as ball retention and scoring chances, against this sort of quality opposition.
It remains to be seen how much backing he gets from the board.
1 Like
Kyogo wasn’t brought in to lead the line Postecoglou’s plan was to have Griffiths do that job and when that went pear shaped Giakoumakis was brought in.
He’s a genuine 9 who can and will lead the line and I can see Kyogo dropped off of him into the Supporting role much like we seen with Édouard in behind Griffiths.
His movement will create more space for Giakoumakis to do his thing.
He could actually go a step further and deploy Furhashi in the 10 role at the point of a diamond and bring Ajeti in to play off Giakoumakis as the poacher.
Getting Giakoumakis fit and firing will resolve our profligacy in front of goal whilst giving us greater flexibility in the attack.
If Giakoumakis had those chances last night I guarantee he would be burying at least two of them possibly 3 Furuhashi clearly doesn’t have the composure needed at this level playing as a lead striker.
1 Like