[Official TC Thread] FC Astana v. Celtic, CL 3rd Qual Rnd 1st Leg, Wed 27th July, 15.00pm ko, Premier Spor

Have to say 11/5 is a massive price.

If they don't beat us over there we will win over the two legs for sure.

 

So we're not favorites?

 

Yes the bookies have us as fav. Better be on bt sports, I'm in madiera, and it's the only way il see it

 

Thought I could wangle some work stuff but not happening. Doubt I'll catch any of this live perhaps get a ticket for the home leg to make up for it

 

No signings.

Dont think we have enough to beat them tbh.

Hate being negative but a think were out here.

 

Avoiding defeat over there will be the key to this tie, a win would be even better.

 

Aye slight faves to win away, they've not put the qualify odds up yet but goin by those they must be putting us about 1/4 to qualify

 

* glad you're not giving the team talk for this!

 

I'm pretty confident we'll get through over the two legs. I have a feeling we'll get a result over there, whether that be a draw or a win and I can't see us not beating them at home.

 

Don't know about their European turn outs but they average around 5500 fans a match. Don't at all think there'll be much 'away fans' pressure during the match only time difference might be a problem. Think scoring one or, preferably, two out there will see us through

 

Think we need to learn our lessons from the last time we were in Kazakhstan here, this games just about getting the result we need. I'd let them try to take the game to us and counter as quicklybas we possibly can, as direct as we possibly can:

Gordon

Janko Lustig Sviatchenkp Tierney

Ajer

McGregor Brown Armstrong

Roberts

Griffiths​

Roberts in a free role, to pick up the ball anywhere he can run at them. McGregor and/or Armstrong would be expected to support both ends of the pitch. Keep it compact and then go for the throat any opportunity they open up.

People would be * off at us setting up like that against a so called inferior team, this stage of the season though it doesn't matter. We can worry about style when we've navigated these.

 

Solid team at home, last season they drew with Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Galatasaray. Away from home they are poor. Happy with us to go over there setting up with a solid 433 or even 352 playing on the counter or at least being conservative, then attack them at Celtic park.

 

I'm a bit more optimstic about this than I was when the draw was made. Second leg at home certainly helps with that.

I understand the worries about the travel, heat and pitch but at the same time, they need to travel the same distance and play on grass rather than plastic. We just need to do better when we have those advantages than they do on Wednesday, when we have to go through the travel etc.

They don't score a lot of goals either and if Zalgiris can get a goal over there then I think we can too, just need to not lose heavily. A draw is a great result but a win, of course, would be brilliant.

 

How were we set up against Ajax away last season? I'd like us to play a similar style to that again. Seemed to be more defensive with an aim to counter. Would like to play safe so we can at least get a draw to take back with us.

 

My modest knowledge of the opponent...





US East Coast was closer than the CL match against Astana for Benfica last season, I remembered. Ugh, it won't be an easy journey for sure... The distance, time and climate differences, also their "Arena" is with artificial turf.


Their coach Stanimir Stoilov brought the first two titles in the club along with fantastic results in European competitions. Otherwise, he led the Bulgarian Levski to the UEFA Cup quarter-finals and to the CL group stage ten years ago. So he's not some * coach...


They've nine foreign and as many as 13 NT players, but key players are midfielders Canas and Maksimović, as well as forwards Nuserbayev and Twumasi. Also there is Ibraimi (ex Maribor, ergh...), but of all of them I would have single out Maksimović. Young talented all-round midfielder who scored the winner in the (under 20) WC final against Brazil. He will play some big club in the future, I'm sure...

They are the leaders by 10 points advantage after 21 rounds and it will probably be the third consecutive title for them. Regarding international matches, the point is clear: no defeat at home (against strong teams like Benfica, Atletico Madrid...) & no win on the road (only two scored goals in seven away games).

One additional note: Astana will be able to count on a new midfielder Nurgaliev who already scored four goals in four league games.

 

* 3pm.

 

That Crow is clearly drunk flying


Cheers for the info though Serb Reb

 

A new CB or not I'm still confident of progressing.

Just hope we rest Erik at the weekend.

 

In work while this is on next week...