Tonight marks the second of three tough fixtures for Celtic tonight. But what tonight also represents is a game that can turn around their Champions League campaign should they beat Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone’s men will provide a formidable opponent tonight. TBR Celtic spoke last month about how Brendan Rodgers must be very wary of Atletico’s £92m pair, Alvaro Morata and Saul Niguez.
So how should Brendan Rodgers plan to shackle the pair of them? How should Celtic set up? Here, we look at a possible new formation change and a predicted XI that could Celtic a good chance of getting a result at Parkhead.
Matt O’Riley is given a new Champions League role for Celtic
Some people might think this is crazy as he is one of our best attacking threats but I believe O’Riley needs to drop in with Callum McGregor in that defensive midfield role.
That would mean a change in formation, but I’ll discuss that in a minute. O’Riley has been outstanding for Celtic in the attacking third this season. But what he has also shown is a brilliant appetite to do the defensive work for Brendan Rodgers.
And that is going to be crucial tonight to nullify the threat of not only Morata and Niguez but also stifle out the supply to Antoine Griezmann.
The Frenchman was on fire at the weekend for Atletico after he hit a hattrick against Carl Starfelt’s Celta Vigo. And he will be brimming with confidence. His threat needs to be snuffed out and having two defensive midfielders will help nullify that.
A change in formation will still offer Celtic an attacking threat
Now, to accommodate O’Riley’s new role, a change in formation is required. That’s why I think a 4-2-3-1 will be really effective.
It will give Brendan Rodgers the ability to offer a defensive wall but also help to maintain Celtic’s attacking intent.
Reo Hatate or even Luis Palma could be placed in that number 10 role just behind Kyogo Furuhashi. Both have creativity and vision that could help the Japanese striker break through the Spaniard’s backline. Daizen Maeda would use his electric pace down the right.
Personally, I would have Hatate in the role and Palma on the left wing. The Honduran’s right boot has proven to be really effective for Celtic this season coming in off that flank and Hatate’s versatility makes it easier for him to slot into the attacking midfield role.
Celtic Predicted XI vs Atletico Madrid
So here is how I would lineup against Diego Simeone’s men:
GK: Joe Hart
DEF: Greg Taylor, Liam Scales, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston
DM: Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley
MID: Luis Palma, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda
FW: Kyogo Furuhashi
Score prediction: Celtic 2 v 1 Atletico Madrid
In other news, ‘I really admire’: Diego Simeone shares what he loves about watching Celtic