Brendan Rodgers deserves high praise for his tactical approach in Celtic’s 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League this week. While the Bhoys played a more pragmatic game in their 0-0 draw with Atalanta last month, Rodgers took a more aggressive approach against Leipzig, the Bundesliga’s second-placed team, at Celtic Park on Tuesday.
The result was a comprehensive 3-1 win that showcased Celtic’s blend of style and substance, keeping them firmly in contention to secure at least a playoff spot in the knockout round of the Champions League.
Rodgers Praises Celtic’s Defensive and Attacking Balance:
After the match, Rodgers highlighted the importance of Celtic’s solid defensive work, especially at key moments, as a crucial factor in the team’s overall success. He also took pride in the fact that Celtic has conceded only five goals all season. Reflecting on the performance, Rodgers said:
“To think this is a team that’s only conceded five goals all season, so for us to score three again tonight, really shows the level we are at. Absolutely brilliant performance. A great evening for Celtic supporters, and I’m sure they’ve enjoyed that.”
With both their defensive solidity and attacking prowess on full display, the result underscored why Celtic continues to thrive under Rodgers’ leadership, particularly in high-stakes European matches.
John Hartson Compares Rodgers to Postecoglou:
Former Celtic striker John Hartson, speaking to *Off The Ball*, compared Brendan Rodgers to Ange Postecoglou, citing their shared commitment to a defined tactical style. Hartson noted that, like Postecoglou, Rodgers is very stubborn about his approach and firmly believes in the system that has worked for him before.
“He’s very much like Ange,” Hartson said. “He won’t change, he’s very thorough and stubborn, and he believes firmly in the way he plays. He’s had success with that approach, and it’s a back four, three midfielders, and three up top.”
Hartson also praised Celtic’s attacking setup, which rarely changes, with Maeda, Kuhn, and Kyogo forming the front three, and McGregor, Hatate, and Bernardo providing support in midfield. According to Hartson, Rodgers will continue to maintain a positive and aggressive approach: pressing high up the pitch, staying compact, and working as a unit. He believes Celtic’s approach when pressing high against Leipzig showed they are a dangerous side when they play together, putting their opponents under consistent pressure.
Celtic’s Momentum is Key:
Celtic’s momentum and belief in their style of play are proving to be invaluable assets as they continue their Champions League campaign. While they did need to defend resolutely at times against Leipzig, the German side struggled to find significant rhythm. Apart from a few isolated moments, Leipzig failed to assert themselves, and Celtic’s three goals came at crucial points, leaving their opponents little time to recover.
Riding their luck is part of the Champions League experience, but Celtic’s ability to execute their game plan, particularly in key moments, is what made the difference. Fans were delighted with the performance against a Leipzig side packed with talent, and now Celtic’s next goal is to see the group stage through and secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
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