The Boa Constrictor and the Cobra
Further evidence of the continuing evolution of Celtic into the model Rodger’s envisages was on display at Dens Park as Celtic comfortably progressed to the Betfred Cup semi-finals with a 4-0 victory.
Stage one of this evolution was to improve ball retention and possession control. Then, assimilate ideas and execution around an aggressive high press when out of possession. Certainly domestically, the team appear to be fully functioning in line with Rodgers’ expectations. A simple look at completed passes in the last three seasons shows this.
Compared to the Deila final season, Celtic complete over 200 more passes per game, whilst restricting opponents to 80 passes less per game. Huge shifts in style and result. Passing for the sake of it is not necessarily a goal in itself, and we would need to analyse chances created and other attacking metrics to see if the overall result is more effective, although your eyes suggest it is. But with simple passing metrics for and against, you can see Rodgers strategy writ large. Dominate the ball and press quickly to win it back.
Stage Two of the Rodger’s evolution is to have tactical flexibility. Who could predict the line-up for the next match? The team can now switch between a back 3 or 4, can play 3-5-1-1, 3-5-2, 3-1-3-2-1, 4-4-2 diamond, 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1. All have been evidenced this season with different players trusted to do different jobs. Despite the changes to personnel and formation, the domestic domination rhythm beats on.
After 15 matches, only Gordon is ever present and only 6 players have racked up the equivalent of 10 matches worth of minutes.
Stage Three is to perform as fluently and consistently to plan in Europe. This will take longer.
And so back to the Dundee game, where Celtic displayed a ruthless level of game management. The objective appeared to be to dominate possession, play conservatively, keep Dundee at arm’s length, and break at speed when the opportunity allowed.
A canter through the game stats highlighted how efficiently Celtic managed the game.
Dominating possession, only 8% of Celtic’s passes took out an opponent (Impect Pass). Even when Dundee pressed higher in the second half, Celtic were still able to dominate possession across the back. In previous games, having the centre backs and defensive midfielders dominate the ball would indicate a frustrating performance against a team sitting in.
The three centre backs all completed nearly 100 passes with Lustig (97), Boyata (96) and Bitton (110). They accounted for 43% of all Celtic possession.
With sudden bursts of pace from Sinclair for the penalty opener, and from Tierney springing on the counter as Bitton won the turn over in midfield to set up Forrest for the second, Celtic could build a lead without the need to press hard in attack.
Compounding the level of control was Dundee’s tendency to pump high balls at Leith-Smith who had neither pace nor height on his side. A tempting cross ball not anticipated by El Bakhtaoui was the extent of the home side efforts.
Even though Celtic shot more from outside the box than in, with a 2-0 lead to defend in the second half, the onus was not on Celtic to make things happen. And between the 50th and 72nd minutes nothing much did as no shot was registered by either side.
Then, Celtic sensed space and opportunity as Dundee went 4-3-3 to go for it as they must, following attacking substitutions. 7 Celtic shots followed in the final 18 minutes. The potential to counter was there, and the 3rd goal was from a fast break, Tierney releasing Sinclair and then McGregor as Celtic tore up the pitch in 2 passes.
Celtic scored 3 goals against Ross County from fast breaks and 2 here. This highlights the dilemma for Scottish sides. Over commit and the searing pace and variety of attacking options can be deadly. Sit in, and be put to the sword slowly but surely as Ross County were in the first half last week, and Dundee in the first half here. Celtic are simultaneously the boa constrictor and the cobra.
