Brendan Rodgers reflects on disappointing loss to Zenit
Brendan Rodgers has had his say on Celtic’s bitterly disappointing 3-0 loss against Zenit in their Europa League last 32 second-leg tie last night.
Former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic opened the scoring thanks to an accurate header inside seven minutes before midfielder Daler Kuzyayev made it 2-0 after 27 minutes after some questionable defending and goalkeeping from the Hoops, before striker Alexsandr Kokorin put the icing on the cake for Mancini’s men half an hour from the end.
Rodgers, who named an unchanged side from the starting eleven tht beat the Russians 1-0 last Thursday, was critical of his defence and highlighted the contrast in performance across the two legs:
Defensively, we lacked aggression in particular in the first half. We didn’t close the space quickly enough. You talk about defending forward and we didn’t do that well enough, and we conceded poor goals from that. The corner is something that can happen. We got blocked off and they worked it well and found the space and Branislav is outstanding and really powerful in the air. For the second goal, we didn’t engage quick enough from the throw-in. We got too deep and we have to press the guy who is shooting. At 2-0, we still have an opportunity in the game. We said at half-time everything was too sideways and backwards and that’s about bravery and courage to play.
You saw the contrast from last week. In the second half we started off ok but then you concede possession too cheaply and they work ball round for a cross, and then they get the third goal. We shouldn’t be conceding that type of goal. Across the two games, we were much the better in the first game and in this game, if we played with a bit more courage and belief, we could have maybe got a result.
The Hoops return to domestic duty this Sunday as they travel to face Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen.
The Dons are third in the Premiership, behind Rangers only on goal difference.
The game will be shown live on Sky Sports, with kick-off scheduled for 1.30pm.