Going Dutch

I’ve already stated a slightly grumpy attitude to this seasons Champions League campaign given the glaring weaknesses in the squad not addressed but even more importantly the need to prioritise winning the league over anything else given the huge riches likely from revamped 2023-24 participation.

But putting the miserabilism to one side for a moment, let’s look at Tuesday’s opponents.

Squad

The Dutch champions have a young squad (average age 23.6) stacked with talent.

Nine players are rated worth over 10m Euros by our favourite tracking site, transfermarkt.com.

This season has seen 36.5m Euros of incoming transfer spend and 36.05m Euros of outgoings. Such symmetry is no doubt possible due to Champions League participation. It also serves to highlight the volume and value of trading Celtic need to aspire to (£18.7m spent and £32.6m brought in is certainly getting on the right track).

And of course, the manager Arne Slot inadvertently played a key role in Celtic’s history by turning down Tottenham Hotspur paving the way for Ange Postecoglou to leave at the end of last season. He achieved their first title since 2016-17 and felt he wanted to take them into the premier club competition (oh and Daniel Levy, probably).

None of the squad are what you might call household names but that isn’t an indicator of potential or actual quality. 13 are full internationalists and nine currently play in international youth sides of those left from a squad of 27.

A saving grace is star Mexican striker Santiago Jiminez (22) is banned for this tie whilst astute striker substitute Ayase Ueda (26) is injured. Well, they scored six versus SC Heerenveen at the weekend with six different scorers so probably no biggy.

Style

Opta provide a playing style map based on how quick a team gets the ball forwards (direct speed as measured in metres per second) and how many passes are in an average passing sequence.

Here is the Dutch profile:

Bit small – sorry!
Feyenoord are middle right – about 3.9 passes per sequence and a below average direct speed for that league of 1.8 metres per second.

For Celtic:

The hoops complete nearly 4.2 passes per sequence and get forward at 1.48 metres per second.

So, Feyenoord are a little more direct and less “passy” than the Scottish champions.

Shape

There won’t be a huge disparity in shapes with Celtic going their normal 4-3-3 perhaps Matt O’Riley being a little more withdrawn and Feyenoord will be similar but more a more traditional 4-2-3-1.

Both sides played home games at the weekend and racked up comfortable and dominant wins – Feyenoord as mentioned 6-1 and Celtic 3-0 versus Dundee.

Sofascore provide the average passing position maps.

Firstly, the Dutch:

What is noticeable is how deep the two pivots are relative to the full backs and how the number ten pushes right onto the forwards.

Not huge width and an emphasis on playing centrally.

Also note the relative compactness of the team.

For Celtic:

Celtic pushed a little higher than Feyenoord but relied on a single pivot, Callum McGregor to screen the centre backs.

The wide forwards are a little wider and both central midfielders pushed onto the striker but not as aggressively as the Dutch number ten.

Really this isn’t much different to how Postecoglou’s side morphed into 2-3-5 with the ball.

Stats

With thanks to FotMob (Opta data) some comparators as both sides have completed five league games so far and both are undefeated.

The Dutch league is clearly stronger than the Scottish and they have three very strong sides plus at least two excellent disruptors (AZ Alkmaar and FC Twente). However, like Scotland, the bottom of the league is quite poor, and Feyenoord have racked up 6-1, 6-1 and 5-1 wins whilst drawing two.

Celtic are more possession dominant but also attempt many longer passes as we have seen trying to exploit the quicker forwards.

Feyenoord as more likely to cross as Celtic seem more circumspect in that regard.

Skewed by three hefty wins, the Dutch have managed over 10 shots on target per game which I imagine will be difficult to maintain. Yet Celtic have eked out slightly more Big Chances.

Defensively is where Celtic have woes and a higher (over 1) xG against so far. It is clear where Celtic’s problems will be. Although Feyenoord are only just averaging under 1 xG against despite not playing any of the top Dutch sides.

Celtic are more adept at winning the ball back high.

Weaknesses?

Opta provide a map of where the ball is contested or where a side is dominant in different segments of the pitch.

Let’s compare the two sides:

What this means is that the blue areas are sections the relevant team dominates the ball and possession.

The red areas are those dominated by the opposition.

The grey areas are contested equally.

Celtic can dominate all areas of the pitch apart from the opposition box. This probably reflects the strength pf the SPFL in general.

Perhaps more revealing is the Feyenoord areas they do not dominate despite their high scoring start to the season.

Their left back area would be the one to perhaps exploit when Celtic attack (if!).

In defence, left centre attack and right wing seem to be areas Feyenoord are not able to dominate.

Can Celtic exploit this?

Summary

It is hope over expectation for me especially given the defensive fragilities that a side of this quality will exploit.

But this is a team Celtic should be able to keep the ball against – they are not out and out pressing monsters – and there are perhaps areas where they lack dominance.

Ach, come on the Hoops