Celtic supervisor Ange Postecoglou has challenged his gamers to indicate extra resilience and endurance as they proceed their Champions League marketing campaign in opposition to Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Scottish champions created plenty of good possibilities in opposition to holders Real Madrid final week however ended up on the top of a 3-0 defeat.
Carlo Ancelotti admitted his Real aspect “suffered” within the first half however Postecoglou gave the impression to be extra pissed off than he was inspired after the show.
The Hoops now tackle a Ukrainian aspect in Warsaw who shocked RB Leipzig with a 4-1 win in Germany final week.
“I was a bit frustrated and disappointed because it’s not just about playing our football for a certain amount of time,” Postecoglou stated. “I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t have done that for longer.
“In the context of who we were playing against, I understand that you are playing against one of the best teams in the world at the moment, maybe the best.
“And for us to be able to match them by playing our football was encouraging, but I didn’t see any reason why that couldn’t continue beyond the time it did.
“Looking back, the disappointing thing was, when we conceded, we conceded again quickly. There was no need to.”
Postecoglou, who shall be with out the injured Carl Starfelt and sick James McCarthy, added: “If we had hung in the game there’s always the chance to create again and just because you concede to them, an unbelievable team, we should have just got back to it and kept playing our football. In the end we lose 3-0.
“As encouraging as it was, for me, we could have been more competitive for longer in that game. But that’s the levels we are at.
“We want to compete at this level, that’s what you’ve got to do. At this level 60 minutes is never going to be enough. You have to make sure you see the game out and be resilient when you need to.”
Shakhtar boss Igor Jovicevic hinted his aspect could be completely happy to let Celtic have the ball and hit them on the counter-attack however Postecoglou didn’t wish to get into any pre-match jostling for positions.
“It’s a Champions League game, we know it’s going to be tough,” he stated. “Every opposition will give us different challenges and whatever it is out there we have got to be ready to face it.
“Whatever their coach says, whatever I say, we will see how the game unfolds. We will be ready for whatever happens.”
The sport will give exiled Ukrainians the prospect to see their crew compete on the European stage amid the ever-changing state of affairs with the battle in opposition to Russia of their homeland.
There shall be a ‘Stop the War’ show on huge screens earlier than the sport however Postecoglou was eager to concentrate on the soccer.
“I understand the context of the question but ultimately it’s a Champions League football match and our responsibility and every club’s responsibility is to represent ourselves and the people we represent in the best manner and make sure we are prepared for what is hopefully going to be a really good football match,” he stated.
It is unclear whether or not there shall be any tribute to the Queen earlier than the match. Tottenham gamers noticed a minute’s silence earlier than their Champions League contest with Sporting Lisbon in Portugal on Tuesday however the state of affairs in Warsaw is just not more likely to turn into clearer till after UEFA and each golf equipment meet on Wednesday morning.
Postecoglou promised to abide by no matter is anticipated of him.
“Look, I have been very fortunate in that, in my role, I have travelled the world and one thing I have learned is to respect everyone’s culture,” the previous Australia head coach stated.
“I have learned to respect people’s culture and abide by whatever obligations I have personally and whatever the club has, and that’s what we will be doing (on Wednesday).”
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk