Celtic’s Champions League journey started with an enormous win, however Brendan Rodgers’ aspect had been introduced again right down to earth with a bang after a 7-1 thrashing at Borussia Dortmund.
The Hoops arrived at Sign Iduna Park in an optimistic temper and in free-scoring kind after 17 consecutive wins, together with that 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava of their opening match.
Nevertheless, as they went toe-to-toe with the German aspect, errors had been punished and Rodgers’ aspect had been on the top of the type of thrashing they’ve been handing out themselves in current weeks.
After one other forgettable night time on the largest stage, does the Celtic supervisor want to alter his strategy in opposition to Europe’s elite?
Have been Celtic naive in Germany?
It’s the third time Rodgers has conceded seven objectives in a Champions League sport – following defeats to Barcelona and PSG – whereas the Hoops had been additionally hit for six final season by Atletico
Former Celtic participant and Sky Sports activities pundit Chris Sutton believes Rodgers obtained his ways mistaken.
In a submit on X, he stated: “Celtic wished to go toe to toe, [it is] good to be optimistic however there comes a time when you must be a bit streetwise and perceive ranges.
“Throwing lots of bodies forward when you’re 7-1 down seemed a bit naive – a bit like Madrid – way too open and ruthlessly exploited.”
What did Rodgers say concerning the defeat?
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Brendan Rodgers assesses his staff’s heavy defeat in opposition to Dortmund
Rodgers all the time insisted he returned to assist Celtic not solely dominate domestically but in addition make a “breakthrough” within the Champions League.
Final season was a troublesome studying curve. Whereas they received their first residence group-stage sport in 10 years – beating Feyenoord – they final received on the street in 2017, throughout Rodgers’ first spell on the membership.
The defeat in Dortmund confirmed there may be little signal of that away run coming to an finish however Rodgers is just not minded to alter their strategy.
“We went in high in confidence,” he stated. “The staff’s been taking part in ever so nicely. So we felt we had been in a very good place. However I feel we would have liked to begin the sport a lot better than we did.
“I think we may have got spooked a little bit early on. We get the equaliser and very, very quickly we’re then 2-1 behind. They get a foothold in the game, start to move it well and we start to chase it a little bit.
“After we analyse the sport, there have been sure points, positioning, that we must be higher in.
“We got punished for passes and loose bits of play. It was absolutely ruthless in the finishing. It was actually incredible to see.
“At instances our positioning was a bit of bit too open and you have simply obtained to essentially tighten the sport or else they play via you, and that is what they did.
“Once they’re in then that speed and power that they have at the very highest level, then you see where it takes them.”
Does the Dortmund defeat matter?
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Sky Sports activities’ Kris Boyd discusses the end in Dortmund
When Celtic had been drawn in opposition to Slovan Bratislava, RB Leipzig, Membership Brugge and Younger Boys at residence, plus Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa away, Rodgers stated the draw was “absolutely brilliant” however admitted no sport can be simple.
Since 2001/02 Celtic have progressed to the knockouts simply 3 times.
Nevertheless, this new-look format will see the highest eight sides within the league qualify routinely for the knockout levels, whereas these ending in ninth to twenty fourth place will compete in a two-legged play-off to safe a spot within the final 16 of the competitors. Groups ranked 25-36 are eradicated from all competitions.
Sky Sports activities‘ Kris Boyd believes the Hoops can nonetheless progress: “With the home games they have left, they will back themselves to pick up more points.
“At Celtic Park, Celtic will trigger groups issues however their efficiency away from house is worrying. They capitulate as soon as they concede a few objectives and it isn’t the primary time we now have seen this from a Brendan Rodgers staff. It’s one thing that wants sorted.
“It was always going to be a tough game in Dortmund but with this new format, Celtic still have a good chance of progressing in this competition.”
What fixtures await?
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic have three video games at residence and three away to return
Celtic might want to take some classes from Dortmund into their subsequent two European video games. Rodgers’ aspect face Europa League winners Atalanta in Bergamo on October 23 earlier than internet hosting one other German aspect from the highest pot of seeds, RB Leipzig.
Nevertheless, Membership Brugge come to city after that and there is a journey to Dinamo Zagreb too, earlier than ending the league section at residence to Younger Boys and away to Aston Villa in January.
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Former Celtic defender Mark Wilson analyses their 7-1 loss
Mixing with Europe’s elite has usually rekindled particular tales of the previous for Celtic followers – so might this but be the season that creates new recollections below Rodgers?
Could 25, 1967 will all the time be some of the vital days within the membership’s historical past as they grew to become the primary British aspect to win the European Cup. A staff made up of gamers who all lived inside a 30-mile radius of Celtic Park can be topped the Lisbon Lions after their win over Inter Milan in Portugal.
Some particular nights have adopted since, together with wins over Barcelona and Manchester United at Celtic Park, plus reigning champions on the time – AC Milan – in 2007.
The win over Slovan Bratislava was one other particular one so as to add to the checklist. Nevertheless, many extra memorable outcomes can be required to show Celtic belong at this stage.
Who qualifies for Champions League play-offs?
To end within the prime 24, which ensures you a play-off spot not less than, Opta believes 10 factors – so three wins and a draw, or different combos – will nearly definitely assure you a spot in that spherical.
It means whichever groups win within the opening spherical of Champions League fixtures want simply seven factors from the remaining seven video games to ensure themselves a play-off spot.
9 factors – so three wins from eight video games, or different combos – might be sufficient to complete twenty fourth, with that factors tally being sufficient in 69 per cent of the simulations.
However simply eight factors – so two wins and two attracts, or different combos – runs the danger of elimination, with that factors tally being adequate in simply 16 per cent of the simulations.
So groups can be focusing on not less than three wins from eight to offer them the very best probability of reaching the Champions League knockout rounds.
When are the 2024/25 Champions League knockout levels?
- Knockout spherical play-offs: February 11/12 and February 18/19, 2025
- Spherical of 16: March 4/5 and March 11/12, 2025
- Quarter-finals: April 8/9 and April 15/16, 2025
- Semi-finals: April 29/30 and Could 6/7, 2025
- Ultimate: Could 31, 2025
When and the place is the 2025 Champions League ultimate?
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season will happen in Munich on the Allianz Enviornment on Could 31, 2025.
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