Former Celtic goal hero Chris Sutton has issued a stern warning to his former club, advising them not to underestimate RB Leipzig despite their three consecutive narrow losses in the Champions League this season. Leipzig, who suffered close defeats to Atletico Madrid (1-2), Juventus (2-3), and Liverpool (0-1), will face Celtic at Parkhead in a crucial clash on Tuesday.
Sutton stressed that Brendan Rodgers’ side must exercise caution as they prepare to face a Leipzig team currently tied at the top of the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, boasting five wins and two draws from their seven games. Their impressive domestic form puts them four points ahead of Borussia Dortmund, a reminder of the challenge Celtic faced in their recent heavy 7-1 defeat at the Westfalenstadion.
Reflecting on Celtic’s performance, Sutton acknowledged the team’s resilient display in their recent scoreless draw against Atalanta in Italy, a marked contrast to the collapse in Dortmund. He emphasized the need for tactical flexibility in their upcoming European matchup. “It’s about mixing and matching to suit,” Sutton commented, suggesting that Celtic might need to adopt a more conservative approach against Leipzig’s aggressive pressing style.
He cautioned against being misled by Leipzig’s current position in their Champions League group, noting, “Don’t be fooled by the fact the Germans have no points. They still possess top talent and caused Liverpool all sorts of problems.” Sutton believes that Rodgers will need to analyze Leipzig’s tactics closely and adjust accordingly.
Sutton also highlighted the importance of adapting strategy depending on the opponent, advising a more cautious approach against Leipzig, while taking more risks in subsequent matches against Brugge and Young Boys at home. He anticipates that Rodgers will rotate the squad in domestic matches, like the upcoming clash against Motherwell, to maintain freshness ahead of the critical European fixtures.
Sutton concluded by praising Rodgers’ ability to adjust tactics at the highest level, emphasizing that success in the Champions League relies on making such strategic changes consistently. He believes that continuing to build on the progress shown in Bergamo will be key for Celtic’s aspirations in Europe under Rodgers.
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