Celtic v Ajax 22 October 7.45pm KO

Will they set up and play that way at Celtic Park, though ?

 

Twente leading 1-0 at half time not many chances for ajax tonight.

 

I think they always stay true to their style.....they played that way against Barça at the Nou Camp and Milan so I'd hazard a guess that they'll play the same against us

 

Really depressing putting my ticket in the post box this morning

 

Just looking at the eredivise games tonight and I see Alfie has scored again....that will be 11 goals in 8 games so far in the league, including a brace v Ajax.....can't help but think we missed the boat big time on him

 

D-Day

 

We tried to get him. He didn't want to come. He played an absolute blinder getting folks hopes up on here.

 

ajax have pulled a goal back 9 minutes left.

 

How do you know they will play that way though in an away CL game? They probably won't underestimate us considering what we achieved last year and will be careful not to get caught playing a possession game. They may sit deep and wait for us to come to them and hit on the break, like Juve did brilliantly in that 1st leg - you can say we were unlucky, but Conte got his tactics spot on that night. He knew that the likes of Barca had been caught out playing possession at CP and put us in a unfamiliar position of having to put most of the attacks on them - and they could find gaps to exploit. Ajax might do the same and we should be wary of it.

Anyway, as far as the lineup is concerned, I'd like to see this:

Forster
Lustig - Van Dijk - Ambrose - Izzy
Forrest - Ledley - Mulgrew - Samaras
Stokes
Pukki

It might seem a bit strange to play Stokes in a role behind the striker when he's never really done that, but his playstyle suits it to a tee. We need a creative force in that team now that Commons is gone, and I think Stokes is our second-best option in that category. Because, like Commons, he not only scores but sets up many goals with his passing ability. Remember the assist for Forrest for the winner against Karagandy? He has it in his locker to produce some magic to set up a goal and maybe even score one on the night. We won't play with 2 up front in the CL so we might as well make use of an experienced proven player in the squad like Stokes rather than throwing Rogic or Kayal into the deep end.
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I'd go with

Forster
Lustig Ambrose Van Dijk Izaguirre
Forrest Kayal Ledley Mulgrew
Stokes Samaras​

 

Basically the Ajax system is setup so they always have a three wherever the ball is, so they always have 3 down the left, 3 down the right 4 across midfield and 3 across the final third when they attack. It's a tricky one.

For me, with the injuries and Broony's suspension, a draw is a good result. A loss and we can forget all about even the UEFA cup, so leaving the defenders isolated is a very, very high risk strategy.

 

Forster
Lustig Ambrose Van Dijk Izzy
Kayal Mulgrew Ledley
------------Pukki
Forrest-------------- Samaras

See if we can't cause most damage on the wings, drop Pukki a bit deeper into the hole, allow Samaras to drift inside as a focal point. Having 4 in the middle like that should cover Forrest and Samaras's lack of tracking back, and allow Forrest and Sammy to hit hard and fast.
Very tough between Pukki and Stokes, still not really sure who.

 

A draw isn't a good result. We should be looking to win both games against Ajax if we are serious about last 16 qualification.

 

Biggest game of the year (so far) ... folks agree?

 

Karagandy game was bigger.

 

Well, yeah ... they had to win that to get where they are today.

Despite that, and knowing the team involved, I'd still say it is.

 

That same average benfica side who then demolished us 3-0 reached the quarter finals the year before beating man united and liverpool! You don't half talk a power of *

 

What do you meen I used to sit in the opposite corner from them so you didn't really see much of them

 

This is the first time I've ever been scared for Celtic in a CL group and I could see Celtic doing something that the Huns in the 90s (despite getting pumped stupid) didn't even manage and that is not win a group game. In 1996 when they had lost 5 of 6 and had to finish with Grasshoppers away they still managed a win. For the first time since 1995 there is no strong goal threat.

From: Pierre, Cadette, and Big Duka in the Mid 90s to Henrik in the late 90s to 00s with Sutton and Hartson. Craig Bellamy, Scott Mcdonald, Robbie Keane, Big Jan and Hooper.

Of course in that time we've had some awesome mid-fielders adding to the Euro goals but for now I'm looking at our strikers. I think selling Hooper withot having a replacement lined up was a disaster and I'm really gutted that for the first time in a long time we lack a real Euro threat. I don't think it's fair that Sammy should shoulder the burden for our CL hopes but I can't see anyone else who could really bother the defences we'll be up against.

 

I am concerned about this game........... BUT the solitary thing that gives me hope is our fans. The team consistently come up with a performance no matter which players we have on the park.

Broony is a big loss but we have won without him in the recent past. The fans and the players response to their passion will be key in this match. Events and injuries seem to have conspired against us........ our young team MUST step up and stake their claim as worthy to wear the Hoops.

Attitude, Commitment, Passion and playing for the team...
Good Luck Bhoys, i think we will need a wee bit of luck in the remainder of this campaign and we sure haven't had much in the last two games.

To all fans in attendance -- have a great night and i am sure if we fail on the night it will not be for lack of noise, colour and passion from you bhoys & ghirls