With this week’s final Europa League group stage game being a “dead rubber,” we are going to look at where Celtic currently stand relative to the level of competition this campaign.

I’ve included the tie versus AZ Alkmaar due to that club’s comparable level, despite the games being part of the playoff round.

Celtic Way:

This Broad Metrics Radar shows the wide disparity between xG and xG conceded, both in quantity and quality. While Celtic have produced close to the highest amount of xG and a very high average xG per shot, the inverse is unfortunately also true when it has come to what has been conceded to opponents. The amount of xG created vs conceded from corners has been quite positive, which is a refreshing change after last season. The passes per defensive action and aggression metrics indicate Celtic have not been very successful with pressing opponents.

As we further break down metrics relating to scoring chances and shots, additional context is available.

Celtic Way:

We can see the xG difference is around middle of the pack, with metrics such as xG from open play and clear shots among the best of the 32 teams. Once again, the metrics for what has been conceded rank towards the bottom, with the number of shots from counter-attacks one example.

Celtic Way:

This radar offers additional context on Celtic’s defending and style of play. For example, despite the average defensive distance being among the highest quarter of teams, the percentage of counterpressures in the oppositions’ half has been one of the lowest. Additionally, while shots from counter-attacks shown in the prior radar has been in the 29th percentile, the directness metric, which measures the distance covered from the beginning of each possession which results in a shot, has been in the 95th percentile. This suggests to me that counter-attacking opportunities have been relatively limited, but that Celtic have been very quick and threatening when available.

This last table shows the difference between each OBV metric, which as a refresher, is Statsbomb’s new advanced metric for measuring the performance value of each event by every player each game relative to both creating chances and limiting those of opponents. D&C stands from dribbles and carries.

Celtic Way:

Similar to xG difference being in the 45th percentile, the OBV difference ranking has been 17th out of 32 teams. What the OBV components offer is additional information as to where Celtic’s phases of play have contributed to performance levels. For example, Celtic’s pass and shot OBV levels were slightly below average relative to opponents, while ball progression via dribbles and carries and defensive actions have both contributed significantly at well above average levels. Given the high level of performances by Jota on the ball in the Europa League group games so far, the D&C OBV difference certainly confirms the “eye test” for many. Perhaps more surprising has been the disparity in Goalkeeper OBV versus opponents.

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou's Celtic Q+A in full: Jota bad news and who are these warriors having a pop at Kyogo?

Broadly speaking, this exercise simply validates much of what many supporters may have already sensed, which is to say that Celtic’s relative strengths have been in attack and weaknesses in preventing chances created by opponents. However, hopefully, this offers additional context as to how extreme the disparity has been.

Celtic have been exceptional in playing quickly and direct when able, and that has often resulted in clear shots, such as the brilliant goal Kyogo scored from Jota’s long through ball. On the flip side, Celtic have been largely unable to deploy the “Angeball” version of high octane pressing and defending at this level.

With three rumoured transfer targets from Japan all having relative success in high pressing styles of play, it appears Ange Postcoglou may have made related improvement a top priority.