A large part of the pre match discussion about this tie, the second in the space of a year, was mostly about Celtics supposed defensive issues. The other dominating story leading up to this first leg was Rosenborgs decision to sack Kare Ingrebrigtsen after progressing past Valur in the opening Champions League qualifying round. It took a last minute penalty to put the Icelandic side out, resulting in a dismissal of Ingrebrigtsen, and appointment of Rini Coolen to the RBK hotseat.
Brendan Rodgers had a decision to make before the game, stick with the 3-diamond-3 shape which had been so successful up to this point, or revert to a back four and play a right sided full back.
Jozo Simunovics red card in the second leg win over Alashkert meant a shortage of options to play in the three central defensive positions.
Tactical Set Up
Celtics shape in the opening exchanges saw a 4-2-3-1 with the ball and dropping into a 4-4-1-1 shape without the ball. This then became a 3-diamond-3 with Gamboa and Sinclair the players either side of Edouard and Forrest central as the tip of the diamond.
The Norwegians looked to set up with a 4-3-3 from the off but this could also easily become a back 5 as we seen later in the game.
When out of possession in the early stages Celtic pressed fairly high, with Edouard the lone striker leading the pressure joined by James Forrest who started off central for the Hoops. Callum McGregor occupied the right half space, pressing Rosenborgs left full back. The left back for Rosenborg had some early success with lofted balls up to Nicklas Bendtner, who was always favourite in the air against Jack Hendry.
This allowed RBK to bring the ba
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