Celtic will travel to Red Bull Arena in Austria to take on RB Salzburg in the Europa League group encounter. Both the teams managed to win their opening games, but it was the Austrian outfit who went past the tougher opponent in RB Leipzig who made the quarterfinals of the Europa League last season. Salzburg too had a good run last time around as they reached the semifinals and lost to Marseille so one can expect Celtic’s task to be cut out in this tough away tie.
The Hoops have struggled to show their real colour this season as Brendan Rodgers’ side are dealing with some important loss of players from the summer. In the league where they were almost invincible under Rodgers for the past two seasons, they currently sit six points adrift from the top of the table. The Hoops have had to eek out 1-0 victories off late, and there is not the same aura about them this season.
Nevertheless, the Hoops would try to match Salzburg who are known to play high octane and expansive brand of football. Here are three changes Rodgers can make to ensure a positive result for the Bhoys.
Start Tom Rogic Instead Of Odsonne Edouard
Celtic’s big summer signing from Paris Saint Germain has failed to get going this season, and after the loss of Dembele, Rodgers would have wanted him to step up big time. Instead, Leigh Griffiths still seems like the best goal scoring bet and Rodgers has tried Edouard in the no.10 role which is usually reserved for the Australian attacker Tom Rogic.
We can understand the gaffer trying to back his big money signing by giving him ample amount of game time but the Frenchman has now gone seven games without scoring and linking up play is indeed not one of his strongest facets. Therefore Rogic should be given a go in the eleven from the beginning, and if things don’t work out, Rodgers can bring on Edouard as a substitute.
Clean sheet should be the goal
Celtic don’t usually face a team like Salzburg who plays an expansive brand of football in the Scottish Premiership. Therefore, this would be a massive test for the Hoops’ defence. It’s clear that Rodgers’ men are finding it hard to replicate their free-flowing football and off late they have managed positive results on the back of strong defensive performances.
Salzburg are known to score a lot of goals, and the Hoops will have to be at their best defensively to keep them in check. Having won the first group game, Celtic would be happy if they avoid defeat in this away tie.
Hit them with pace on the counter
Being at home, Salzburg would be expected to start on the front foot, and the Hoops might have to soak up the pressure. Salzburg are known to score a lot of goals but they are also defensively vulnerable, and that is what we saw in the last game where they blew away a two-goal lead. Celtic don’t usually play this kind of game in the Scottish Premiership but they might have to play the ‘sit back and hit them on the counter’ game. For that, they would need pace, and precise passing and the likes of Scott Sinclair and James Forrest could be the go-to men for the away side while breaking out.
