Celtic’s Champions League match against Atalanta will commence on Wednesday at 5.45 Irish time, to be broadcast live on Virgin Media Two and TNT Sports 4. Brendan Rodgers, the steadfast Celtic manager, is confident that the critics are waiting to criticise the team due to their lacklustre performances against top-notch European teams.
The humiliating 7-1 defeat they faced against Borussia Dortmund at the start of October was the latest occasion for the Scottish champions when they fell short against elite opposition. Regardless, Rodgers firmly believes that Celtic are not given adequate consideration when competing against more accomplished and wealthier Champions League teams.
Interestingly, Celtic savours a similar situation domestically, but Rodgers ardently asserts that the portrayal of their European performance-based adversities has been partial. The moment when Rodgers and his squad received widespread praise for disassembling Slovan Bratislava at the starting of this European venture is still fresh in memory.
Upon being asked if the expectations from Celtic in the Champions League are on the higher end, Rodgers stated that anyone with sense and reasoning would acknowledge it. However, he also added that it doesn’t make much of a difference as they don’t get any concession. Rodgers believes that it’s a chance for critics to knock them verbally, which he said is evident.
Rodgers confessed that the Dortmund encounter felt like an onslaught on Celtic’s morale. He anticipates more such challenges ahead. Celtic is set to face Atalanta, the high-scoring victors of the Europa League, in northern Italy.
Despite calls to modify his typical offensive tactical approach, Rodgers has stayed steadfast. He mentioned that he has always championed an aggressive coaching style since he began his coaching career over 25 years ago, and he intends to maintain it until he retires.
Rodgers stresses the importance of acknowledging the strengths of the rival teams while interacting with them. Regardless of whether the match is in Scotland or the Champions League, there is a certain level of punishment an opponent team can impose. A balance in the gameplay is thus crucial, in his view.
Moreover, Rodgers highlighted the need for a firm defence. He acknowledged moments when aggressiveness would be necessary and times when a more back-footed approach would apply. The key takeaway, however, is to stand together in those times, for the squad lacks experience at that level.
The Celtic team will have to face another match in Bergamo without Cameron Carter-Vickers, their premier centre-back. Furthermore, owing to an injury, left-back Greg Taylor won’t be joining the team in Lombardy. – as reported by Guardian.