Bayer Leverkusen boss and Europa League foe Gerardo Seoane has complimented the improvement of Celtic under Ange Postecoglou.
The Leverkusen boss has been keeping a close eye on developments at Celtic Park. Since the last time the two teams met, the Hoops went on an excellent run. The Bhoys have won 8 from 9, with only the goal-less draw with Livingston blotting the copy book.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, have had a tougher time. They’ve won just 3 from 9, with damaging losses to Bayern Munich, second-tier Karlsruher and Wolfsburg along the way.
Seoane is cognisant of Celtic’s improvement since their last meeting. And he’s expecting a much tighter battle between the two sides in the Europa League tonight.
The Bayer Leverkusen boss said [Daily Record]:
“…we have to make sure we are organised and defend well, but also have possession so we can control the game.
“[Celtic] have shown in recent games they are keen to play on the front foot all the time. But I think every team needs a balance of attack and defence.
“Every coach has their own way of doing things and you can clearly see the way Celtic are approaching their games.
“They are good in attack so we will need to keep it far tighter than we did in Glasgow. They are definitely better organised in defence and also in their pressing.”
Europa League foe Gerardo Seoane is right about Celtic improvement under Ange Postecoglou
As we touched on earlier, the last game against Bayer Leverkusen was a significant one. A benchmark, if you like, showing how Celtic need to improve to be competitive in the Europa League.
Rather than using it to sulk and lose confidence, Postecoglou had lessons to teach his players. It could’ve been a result to sap momentum from Postecoglou’s Celtic side. If anything, it did the opposite.
Celtic have looked more determined, dogged and organised from front to back. The importance of pressing has been drilled into the players. The defence looks infinitely more settled, and is better equipped (though far from perfect) in dealing with counter-attacks.
It was always going to be a process. The Bayer Leverkusen drubbing in the Europa League showed that entirely.
On form, though, despite the reverse tie at Celtic Park, you’d argue that the Bhoys are the team in the ascendency. A draw would be a great result tonight, but a win would be the summit of Ange’s work at the club so far.
It really does feel like anything can happen tonight. And for Gerardo Seoane’s part, he’s right to recognise the improvements Celtic have made since their last encounter.
Read more: SPFL boss tips Celtic loanee for international return; details chats with Postecoglou
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