Bayer Leverkusen boss Gerardo Seoane insists he’s aiming to dump Celtic out of the Europa League tonight by discovering an antidote to Angeball.
Ange Postecoglou ’s side will attempt to keep their Group G qualification hopes alive by claiming at least a point against the Bundesliga giants who put four past them without reply in Glasgow.
But despite admitting the Hoops have been transformed since that loss two months ago, Seoane is convinced soaking up pressure and hitting back with the sucker-punch could be the answer to Celtic’s attack-at-all-costs philosophy.
He said: “ Celtic have to go out and attack because in the last two games they need to get results.
“That could mean that we have more space. But we have to make sure we are organised and defend well, but also have possession so we can control the game.
“They 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.”
Leverkusen will be without key Dutch defenders Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Mitchel Bakker plus Austrian midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger. There are also doubts over the availability of winger Karim Bellarabi, Chilean midfielder Charles Aranguiz and Argentina international Lucas Alario.
It’s an injury list which has disrupted their recent league form and Seoane insists it’s far from ideal going in against a side whose four-goal defeat in their last meeting wasn’t a fair reflection on proceedings.
He said: “In Glasgow we deserved to win but it wasn’t really a four goal difference between the two teams.
“I think we were very determined in our finishing and took our chances. Celtic produced good moves but didn’t score.
“One thing that has changed is we’ve had to adapt our approach. We’ve faced many challenges since then both in personnel times and on the pitch. But it’s positive for us to find solutions to those challenges.
“Obviously we want to get players back as soon as possible and we have to act with the medical department in making decisions.
“But we will field the best team we can and also try to produce the best performance we can.
“I don’t think it’s good to hold back and hold on to what you’ve got. We want to play on the front foot and take more chances and improve all over.”
