Moments of quality ultimately saw Celtic home and (not very) dry after a sticky tie in Sarajevo.
The potential for disaster here was significant:
- Poor weather (heavy rain)
- A badly cut up pitch
- An opponent drilled in 4-5-1 medium block defensiveness
- And possessing set play competency
- Going a goal down
- Usual preseason injuries
- Usual preseason squad mismanagement
- New manager fiddling
Start of the Lennon Era
Selection
One got the feeling last season Lennon was, through gritted teeth, changing the minimum and ensuring Celtic got over the line to the title by any means. Familiarity and defensive solidity were paramount.
This then was the first time for Lennon to put his individual imprint on the team.
And risks were taken.
Having ended the season with the stability of an Ajer-Simunovic axis in central defence perhaps in anticipation of these ties, the partnership was broken.
Ajer had to cover the problematic right back berth (Ralston not trusted?) whilst Simunovic was moved from right centre half to left. This allowed Bitton (oh no) into the right centre back position. Completing the utter recalibration of the back line, Bolingoli debuted at left back.
Let’s not revise history. Time does not heal the reasons playing Bitton at centre back are less than compelling. Watch back the 3-4 in Astana, or read Thrice Bitton. It should be lessons learned. And the defensive line was ripped asunder early on before Bain saved. But against opposition as limited as this perhaps the passing range outweighs the questionable positioning and decision making defensively.
Further up, McGregor sat with Brown and Christie was pushed on with Johnston (preferred to Sinclair – not trusted?) to support Edouard.
Formation
Out of possession Celtic fell back into a 4-4-1-1 with Christie pressing high with Edouard.
With the ball, Celtic morphed into a 3-2-4-1. Ajer tucked in, Bolingoli pushed high and wide, and Johnston and Christie foraged behind Edouard.
It was novel but played to the players’ strengths. It wasn’t wholly successful mainly because McGregor was not close enough to Christie and Johnston to play the quick passes that would disentangle the blocking lines. In the first half, McGregor completed more passes than Sarajevo. But only 3 of his 63 passes took any opponents out the game.
But Lennon cannot be heavily criticised as ultimately the job was done. His preference of Johnston for Sinclair resulted in goals for both, the latter from the bench. Bitton’s errors went unpunished (!). Christie, albeit not heavily involved, ran their back line ragged. Ajer responded manfully to the right back job, even breaking forward confidently in the second half.
All in, a very interesting tactical approach from the manager.
Magic Moments
There were two defining reasons Celtic won the game.
They had players capable of magic moments, something the limited Bosnians simply couldn’t conjure.
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- Johnston’s strike for the equaliser was stunning in its clarity and finality. From very little, he utterly changed the mood of the tie with one swing of the right boot.
- The second goal was packed full of quality. Brown’s anticipation and pressing nouse won the ball high in their half. Christie took out 2 players with a typically quick pass to Forrest. Forrest’s pass was also instant and accurate. Edouard’s running angle was to die for as was the timing and control of the pass (Edouard struggled with control all night needing to change his boots at half time). Finally, the ice cool Frenchman waited and waited for the precise moment to strike the tie winning shot left footed for optimal effect.
- The third goal saw Edouard again come deep where he is so effective and release Morgan. Morgan was full of running and intent on his arrival and he hit the bye line. Sinclair has increasingly attacked the 6-yard box over the last season and he did so again. A beautifully executed back heel finish brought lingering doubt to an end.
Superior Fitness
Despite the travel and the heavy pitch, Celtic looked by miles the fitter side. Sarajevo players were going down with cramp in the latter stages. Celtic continued to press high and with intensity. They harried the back line to force impotent long passes. Sarajevo completed just 68% of their passes.
The Bosnians played very similarly to a mid-table SPFL side. The 451 medium block was supplemented with crude physicality. The were only awarded 9 fouls against but 4 warranted yellow cards. The maroons won 60% of all challenges.
But ultimately, as Celtic gained psychological advantage with quality goals, so they also asserted physical dominance that augurs well for the later ties.
Rating Sarajevo
How do the Bosnian Double Winners compare?
With 174 completed passes and xG of 0.971, and with respective Passes Per Defensive Action of 8.41 (Celtic) and 3.37 (Sarajevo), this resembled a match versus decent SPFL opponents.
Statistically this match had similar team numbers to the 1-0 win at home to Aberdeen last September (ironically the scene of Sinclair’s “other” back-heeled goal) and the 1-0 win at home to Kilmarnock in April (the Simunovic “5 McNeill” goal game).
Celtic would normally expect to beat Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, but we have all seen defeats and this highlights how tricky these ties are given all the other variables I listed at the top.
But overall, Lennon’s tactical and selection risks paid off. An encouraging start.