Hopeful Hoops Ready to Bull Leipzig

Hopeful Hoops Ready to Bull Leipzig
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Reo Hatate stunning second half strike proved the difference at the weekend


Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
Wednesday, 5 Octber 2022
17.45 BST

The Bhoys are back in Champions League action this week, travelling to Germany to take on RB Leipzig.

After impressing against the reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid, and dominating against Shakhtar Donestsk in Warsaw but having to settle for a share of the spoils, the Hoops faithful will be hoping to see the Bhoys go one better this week.

It will take another strong showing away on the continent - and hope that the Bhoys have packed their shooting boots - if they are to take the points back to Glasgow.

The Hoops were back in winning ways at the weekend with a 2-1 victory over Motherwell, even though they finished with 10 men after Callum McGregor was given his marching orders, but thankfully Reo Hatate in particular impressed in the midfield.

However the manner was a little underwhelming. Despite dominating possession and the attacking flow of the match, so many chances still went begging, including (but not limited to) a couple of shots that hit the woodwork.

The Bhoys will have to be much more clinical in front of goal - not to mention tighten up at the back - on Wednesday, as RB Leipzig are unlikely to offer up as many clear cut opportunities or afford Celtic so much possession, without putting up more of a fight - which is simply to be expected at this level.



November 2018: Odsonne Edouard taps home the winner the last time theses sides met​

These sides previously met in 2018/19 Europa League, which resulted in each side winning their respective home match. The Hoops will be hopeful of doing even better this term, and take something away from the visit to Germany this week, but that is easier said than done.

Celtic will need to play to their full potential on Wednesday if they are to do so. While the away performance against Leverkusen last season was encouraging, it still ultimately ended in disappointment.

Indeed, the Bhoys will need to do something that no Celtic side has ever done - win away in Germany in a competitive European match.

The Celtic management team, the media pundits and fans will all no doubt be conscious of the fact that it was RB Leipzig that city neightbours Sevco knocked out at the Semi-Final stage of last season's Europa League.

However, there have been a few changes to the German side since then, not least of which is they are now under the direction of Marco Rose, after dispensing with the services of previous manager, Domenico Tedesco, who was dismissed after a poor start to the season, with the 4-1 defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk proving the final straw.

Despite the lacklustre start to the season, results have begun to pick up under the new manager. Indeed, they have won both of their home games in convincing fashion in the Bundesliga since then, in addition to an impressive display at the Bernabeu, going toe to toe with Real Madrid and holding them goalless for the first 80min, while the host's second goal that night didn't come til extra time when Leipzig had been pressing for an equalizer.

Truly, the Bhoys will need to be right on their game, because Marco Rose will surely have his team prepared and will not be giving anything away cheaply, that's for sure!

Just the Facts of the Stats​

• Celtic are looking for their first ever win on German soil in European competition.
• In fact no Scottish side has won away in Germany since 1961.
• The Hoops are hunting for a first Champions League win since September 2017.
  
• This will be the host's first European match at home under manager Marco Rose.

Team News

The Bhoys will again likely be without Carl Starfelt (knee) and Gorgios Giakoumakis (leg), and doubts about Cameron Carter-Vickers, while there remains a lingering concern over James McCarthy, who has been struggling with a bout of illness and Liel Abada is also expected to be missing, to observe the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.

Thankfully, Daizen Maeda and Saed Haksabanovic were both able to feature at the weekend, dispelling fears after reports that both had picked up knocks while on International duty, last month.

As for the Germans, they will be without Dani Olmo (ligament) as well as Konrad Laimer and Lukas Klostermann (both with ankle issues).

That said, Marco Rose is unlikely to make too many changes from the side that won 4-0 at the weekend against VfL Bochum, with Mohamed Simaken likely to continue at right back in Klostermann's absence and Xaver Schlager taking Laimer's place in the heart of midfield.​

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 2 W: 1 D: 0 L: 1​

Last 2 Meetings
W L

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
W L D L W ~ W L L W L​