Celtic’s Champions League ambitions were reality-checked last night after a sobering 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, as the German outfit opened the floodgates at Signal Iduna Park......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
Bar a brief moment of ecstasy at Daizen Maeda’s equaliser; there wasn’t anything to shout about for the visitors on an evening where the hosts took full control of proceedings.
Brendan Rodgers addressed Celtic’s Champions League defeat in Dortmund in honest fashion, admitting it was a ‘tough watch’ against a quality side that punished their every misstep.
He stated: “It was a tough watch, to be honest. We weren’t at our best and they showed why they are a top team. We didn’t make the start we wanted. I just said to the players afterwards that I don’t think I’ve been involved in a game where every single mistake we made got punished.”
Next up for Celtic in the Champions League is Atalanta, who present another stiff test coming into the tie as last season’s Europa League winners.
Looking back on last night, James McFadden has highlighted exactly what the Bhoys need to rectify when they travel to Gewiss Stadium on October 23rd.
James McFadden’s cutting Celtic Champions League verdict
Speaking on BBC Sportsound, McFadden outlined that Celtic have to change their approach to retain hope of claiming a result against Atalanta after the Hoops’ discomfiting Dortmund defeat.
“You can’t have that again. You need to stay in the game longer and you need to gain some control in the game.
“And if that means at times you’re going to need to take a backward step, then I think that’s what has to happen. I think that there will be a change, as I say, that this was one where you go in and say it’s a test. I don’t like the free hit either because a free hit means 7-1 doesn’t matter, but it does matter.
"We're not going to let this wobble us"
Alistair Johnston reflects on Celtic's Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund ⤵️#BBCFootball #UCL pic.twitter.com/2isp5D2sM2
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 1, 2024
“So I think that it was a test and Celtic tonight failed it. So there has to be a change. It can’t be you put it down to a bad night at the office and next time everything will be fine because it could be the same again against a very good Atalanta side.
“So I expect there will be some sort of tweak to how they manage the press and make sure they’re harder to get through so that allows them to operate better as a team. Because they were all over the place at times tonight. They were too open.”
Celtic turn attention back to Scottish Premiership duty
Chewing over the Bhoys’ European exploits will continue in football circles over the next few days, but Celtic will now turn their attention to facing Ross County in the Scottish Premiership this weekend.
Despite the anticipation surrounding their Champions League prospects, Rodgers’ men have an impeccable domestic record to maintain in Dingwall come Sunday lunchtime.
Events away to Ross County will be followed by the international break, with a top-of-the-table clash against Aberdeen at Celtic Park setting the scene for a tasty encounter ahead of the trip to Bergamo.
As much as the Champions League is a major priority this season, Celtic can’t lose sight of their domestic progress, and stiff tests are visible in the distance on both fronts.
