Celtic and Young Boys face each other in the Champions League on Wednesday and there’s plenty riding on it.
Celts know a win takes them into the knockout playoff and Brendan Rodgers will demand all three points to avoid a nervy final clash with Aston Villa on matchday eight.
Chris Sutton has pinpointed Young Boys as the biggest game of the Hoops‘ season and it is not difficult to understand why with so much at stake for the Hoops.
The Swiss outfit, meanwhile, don’t have much going for them this season in the European competition as they sit well out of proceedings with no points and a goal difference of minus 19.
They are also floundering in their own Super League and sit ninth, but their manager, Giorgio Contini, hopes his side can take some inspiration from his conversations with a football icon.
During his previous break away from the dugout, Contini visited Real Madrid to take in some training drills and met with manager Carlo Ancelotti.
And he explained how the Italian stood out as a man whose side has beaten Celts previously.
Contini sought advice from Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti
“What impressed me most about Ancelotti is the way he leads a team,” he told BlueWin.
“It was important for me to see that on the pitch and it confirms values that I also want to live by.
“Namely, that people come before football. If the focus is on people, the footballer will also work.
“Empathy has a big influence on the performance of athletes.”
Contini also had a warning for Celts ahead of their tie as he vowed to have his squad playing the possession game while pressing hard as a rule.
Contini tells Celtic how Young Boys will approach the tie
“We have to find a balance between the time available and the results. But I have already given input.
“For example, that we have solutions with the ball, that we’re more creative in possession again. I would like to see that. But I know that it won’t happen overnight.
“That’s why we first have to rely on our usual strengths and boost our self-confidence with positive results.
“Pressing is part of Young Boys, and we don’t want to shake this DNA.
“We want to be a team that presses, that is good at counter-pressing and switching play.
“This game also suits the squad, which combines fast players and those with a lot of physical presence.
“We will certainly stick to that.”
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