2018-11-08: Celtic 2-1 Leipzig, UEFA Cup

Trivia

Review
German press: some reports referring to the stadium as a ‘Hexenkessel’ – a witch’s cauldron.

Schafer in Leipziger Volkszeitung best described the experience.
“Sorry, Borussia Dortmund, sorry Besiktas, but Celtic Park and the Celts top everything that RB has experienced since its inception in 2009.
“The fans of the Scots live up to their reputation as the world’s best fanatics, driving their Bhoys in Green for 94 minutes to the deserved victory, celebrating every duel, profane interjections and corners.
“They also celebrate themselves, their loyalty, their songs. The history of the cult club, founded in 1888 by the Irish clergyman Brother Walfrid, looms over everything, the score is decorating accessories, the big picture more important.
“Celtic season tickets are traded like gold dust and carry the inscription: “A Club Like No Other” – a club like no other.”

Teams

Celtic

1Gordon
23Lustig
20Boyata
32BenkovicBooked at 34mins
63TierneyBooked at 51mins
42McGregor
17Christie
49ForrestSubstituted forMulumbuat 83’minutes
18Rogic
11SinclairSubstituted forAjerat 90’minutes
22Edouard

Substitutes

4Hendry
15Hayes
16Morgan
27Mulumbu
29Bain
35Ajer
56Ralston

Goals

• Tierney (11′ minutes), 
• Edouard (79′ minutes)

Assists

• Forrest (11′ minutes), 
• Christie (79′ minutes)

RB Leipzig

28Mvogo
22MukieleSubstituted forDemmeat 70’minutes
4Orban
5Upamecano
3SaracchiSubstituted forHalstenbergat 16’minutesBooked at 44mins
7SabitzerBooked at 63mins
13IlsankerSubstituted forKamplat 45’minutes
27LaimerBooked at 55mins
20Santos Carneiro Da Cunha
29AugustinBooked at 17mins
17Tué Na Bangna

Substitutes

6Konaté
16Klostermann
21Müller
23Halstenberg
31Demme
40Majetschak
44Kampl

Goals:

• Augustin (78′ minutes)

Assists:

• Laimer (78′ minutes)

Referee:Javier Estrada Fernández

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

• Match Pictures

Forum

• Pre-match
• Match
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MOTM

• Voting Thread
• Result Thread
• Winner –

Stats

Celtic
RB Leipzig

Possession
Home47%
Away53%

Shots
Home10
Away17

Shots on Target
Home4
Away5

Corners
Home4
Away9

Fouls
Home16
Away15

Articles

Celtic 2-1 RB Leipzig: Hoops keep Europa League hopes alive with hard-fought win

Stephen Halliday
Published: 22:15 Thursday 08 November 2018
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-2-1-rb-leipzig-hoops-keep-europa-league-hopes-alive-with-hard-fought-win-1-4826758Celtic resuscitated their hopes of further progress in the Europa League as they emerged triumphant from a pulsating Group B fixture.

Odsonne Edouard secured the victory the Scottish champions needed to stay in contention for a place in the next round, the £9 million striker making his crucial contribution just when it seemed as if two precious points would be dropped.
Kieran Tierney scored a deserved opener for Celtic after just 11 minutes. Picture: SNS Group
Kieran Tierney scored a deserved opener for Celtic after just 11 minutes. Picture: SNS Group

Deservedly ahead at half-time through Kieran Tierney’s 11th minute goal, Celtic were rocked 12 minutes from time when Edouard’s French compatriot Jean-Kevin Augustin levelled for RB Leipzig.

A draw would have been of little use to Brendan Rodgers’ side but Celtic Park erupted when they immediately reclaimed the lead courtesy of Edouard’s eighth goal in his last eight games. The win draws them level on points with Leipzig with two games remaining, both of them six points behind leaders Salzburg.

Tierney’s first ever European goal for Celtic turned on the ignition for a progressive and largely commanding first half display from Rodgers’ men.

There had been no indication of that in the opening 10 minutes preceding Tierney’s breakthrough strike. It was Leipzig who made the sharper start to the contest as they looked to carry their dominance of the first meeting of the sides in Germany a fortnight earlier into this one.

Craig Gordon had to react smartly to deny Marcel Sabitzer in the eighth minute, the Celtic goalkeeper keeping out a well struck effort from 20 yards by the Austrian midfielder.

When the hosts took the lead three minutes later, it came against the run of play but completely transformed the momentum of the match. The goal owed much to the awareness of Callum McGregor who took a free-kick quickly after Ryan Christie had been fouled by Stefan Ilsanker near the halfway line.

The Leipzig defence were caught flat-footed as McGregor played the ball to James Forrest who jinked his way beyond left-back Marcelo Saracchi to the edge of the penalty area. The winger’s low cross missed out both Edouard and Scott Sinclair but found its way into the path of Tierney.

He showed good composure to take a steadying touch before drilling in a low left foot shot which Leipzig goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo got a hand to but was unable to keep out.

The goal seemed to rattle Leipzig as much as it inspired Celtic. The visitors were suddenly much sloppier in possession and uncertain in defence. By contrast, Celtic started knocking the ball around with purpose, pace and accuracy.

That said, there was a moment of concern for them when Nordi Mukiele broke free on the right to whip over a dangerous cross. Gordon advanced bravely to smother the ball at the feet of French striker Jean-Kevin Augustin who was booked for leaving a boot in unnecessarily.

It was Celtic who were now carrying the greater menace in their play, however, and Tom Rogic should have done better than loft a shot just over the top from 20 yards after he was picked out by a Tierney lay-off.
Celtic will be looking for another famous European night at Parkhead this evening. Picture: SNS Group
Celtic v RB Leipzig: Live updates from the Europa League clash

Edouard then displayed tremendous strength and balance to surge past a couple of challenges into the penalty area but was unable to pick out the unmarked Sinclair in the six yard box.

Celtic were probing relentlessly for a second goal and Christie wasted an opportunity to claim it in the 32nd minute, rushing his shot from just outside the penalty area and sending it well over.

Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick, having been forced into an early substitution when the injured Saracchi made way for Marcel Halstenberg, tried to revitalise his side with another change at the start of the second half.

The introduction of experienced Slovenian international attacking midfielder Kevin Kampl, who replaced Ilsanker, succeeded in giving the visitors greater tempo going forward as they made a positive start to the second 45 minutes.

Portuguese international Bruma, whose constant movement kept Celtic’s central defenders on high alert, forced a good save from Gordon with a powerful effort from around 20 yards.

Sinclair passed up an inviting opportunity to double Celtic’s lead when he burst clear on goal but was unable to find a clean strike on the ball as Mvogo advanced to nick it off his toes.

There was a steadier ebb and flow to the contest as the second half wore on, both teams carving out decent chances. Sabitzer was again denied by Gordon, then Mvogo kept out a close range effort from Edouard.

Celtic’s record signing was unfortunate not to make it 2-0 in the 73rd minute when he muscled his way into the penalty area and saw his shot deflected agonisingly wide of Mvogo’s right hand post.

That looked as if it might be a pivotal moment when Leipzig equalised five minutes later.

It was a sloppy goal for Celtic to concede, Augustin allowed to drift unmarked towards the six yard box where he headed Konrad Laimer’s cross beyond the helpless Gordon.

But almost directly from the restart, Celtic stunned Leipzig as the regained the lead with a fine goal. Sinclair made ground down the left and fed the ball inside to Christie whose low cross presented Edouard with a tap-in.

Celtic rode their luck in the closing stages as Kampl struck the crossbar when he should have scored but they saw the job out to set themselves up for a trip to already eliminated Rosenborg at the end of the month.

‘A club like no other’ – German press react to Celtic’s win over RB Leipzig

Remaining Time -1:28
Joel Sked
Email
Published: 13:32 Friday 09 November 2018
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/a-club-like-no-other-german-press-react-to-celtic-s-win-over-rb-leipzig-1-4827101
The German press were full of praise for Celtic and Parkhead as Brendan Rodgers’ men defeated RB Leipzig with a fine performance, bringing themselves back into contention to reach the Europa League knockout stages.

Leading German sports magazine Kicker admitted that Celtic’s win was “surprising but not undeservedly” so, impressed with the team’s reaction to taking the lead early on.

“The goal provided a visible reaction among both teams: While RB pulled out and repeatedly offered room to counter-attack through errors in midfield, the hosts increased the tempo significantly.”

Celtic’s approach to the game and general attitude was widely praised in the German press.

Bild’s Yvonne Gabriel said about the opening goal: “Celtic executed a lightning fast free-kick, while Leipzig are still adjusting.”

And added: “The Scots were initially snappier than Leipzig. They won almost all important duels, also have better chances.”

The writer was not impressed with the German side, starting the match report with one word: ‘Schnarch’ – which translates as snore.

Leipzig were said to have a “sleepy appearance” and called the team only coming alive in the second half as “incomprehensible”.

Guido Schafer said Celtic “were more awake, faster, better” in Leipziger Volkszeitung, while Suddeutsche Zeitung commended the Glasgow side’s “fiercely fighting players”.

Two individuals in particular were pinpointed as key men by Kicker.

They wrote: “The speedy (James) Forrest, in particular, repeatedly presented (Marcel) Halstenberg, who had earlier replaced the injured (Marcelo) Saracchi, with problems. The lively (Odsonne) Edouard also caused danger in the RB penalty area on several occasions.”

Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick lambasted his side in the press as the team’s ten game unbeaten record came to an end.

“We have defended negligently on both goals,” he said. “If you make up for it (going behind) with so much effort, you can not concede another goal within ten seconds.”

Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer appeared to be taking part in a different game.

“We were clearly better,” he figured. “We had quality on the pitch and had huge moments. That annoys me extremely.”

His assertion was not supported by Suddeutsche Zeitung, one of the biggest and most popular newspapers in Germany.

“RB Leipzig has to sweat to progress in the Europa League after an annoying setback in Glasgow,” they wrote.

It was a lament after the away side were initially “unfazed by the impressive backdrop at Celtic Park at first, the Leipzig players started the game in a highly aggressive manner”.

Yet, as the game transpired they recognised that even if the German team had their strongest attackers it would have made little difference such was the difficulty in breaking down Celtic.

They said: “In the front, moments were clearly missing due to the absence of (German) international Timo Werner (toe bruise) and Yussuf Poulsen (back problems). Both strikers would have gotten no opportunities due to lack of creativity of the Leipzig.”

As ever Celtic Park came in for much praise. RB Leipzig had taken their largest away contingent for a European match with 2,200 making their way to Glasgow. Kicker stated: “Many Leipzigers did not want to miss this experience!”

And it appears the ground’s mystique was not lost on the German press with some reports referring to the stadium as a ‘Hexenkessel’ – a witch’s cauldron.

However, Schafer in Leipziger Volkszeitung best described the experience.

“Sorry, Borussia Dortmund, sorry Besiktas, but Celtic Park and the Celts top everything that RB has experienced since its inception in 2009.

“The fans of the Scots live up to their reputation as the world’s best fanatics, driving their Bhoys in Green for 94 minutes to the deserved victory, celebrating every duel, profane interjections and corners.

“They also celebrate themselves, their loyalty, their songs. The history of the cult club, founded in 1888 by the Irish clergyman Brother Walfrid, looms over everything, the score is decorating accessories, the big picture more important.

“Celtic season tickets are traded like gold dust and carry the inscription: “A Club Like No Other” – a club like no other.”

BBC

Celtic 2-1 RB Leipzig: Edouard strike earns victory and keeps Europa League knockout hopes alive

By Jonathan Sutherland

BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

From the section Europa League 209

Odsonne Edouard tapped in Celtic’s winner just a minute after Leipzig had equalised
Odsonne Edouard tapped in Celtic’s winner just a minute after Leipzig had equalised

Celtic scored 14 seconds after conceding to secure a dramatic victory over RB Leipzig to keep their Europa League dreams on track.

Leipzig’s Jean-Kevin Augustin equalised with a header on 78 minutes but straight from the restart Odsonne Edouard struck back.

Knowing defeat could eliminate them with two games left, Kieran Tierney had put the hosts ahead early on.

Celtic sit third in Group B, level with Leipzig, but trail on head-to-head.

The Scottish champions travel to Trondheim to face Rosenborg next on November 29, before finishing at home to Salzburg a fortnight later.

In a frenetic finish, Kevin Kampl struck the bar for the visitors and then blazed over when clean through on goal to ensure the Scottish side secured a vital victory.
Celtic rediscover European magic

The much talked about “disco lights” that were installed at Celtic Park in the summer – reportedly worth over £2million – had their European bow, but initially it was RB Leipzig that lit up Celtic Park.

The Germans threatened to spoil the party as they were right on top of Celtic for the first 10 minutes. But it was James Forrest who grabbed this game by the scruff of the neck for the Scottish champions.

The winger drove at Leipzig before flashing a ball across the penalty area for Tierney who more than matched the initiative shown by Forrest by lashing the ball home.

It sent an electrical pulse through the stadium as the home fans suddenly sensed this could be one of those heady nights where the Celtic momentum would sweep a dangerous opponent aside and end with the result that was required.

Alas, life for Scottish sides in European football is rarely that simple.

At times in the second half it felt like there was wave after wave of Celtic attack, but the goals would simply not flow.

And then came the cruel blow as the quality of RB Leipzig sliced Celtic open as the Germans equalised. Kevin-Augustin ghosted in at the back post, unmarked, to nod home.

The reaction from the Scottish champions was fantastic. Up the field they swept, Christie crossed for Edouard who fired home from point blank range.

Suddenly the disappointment of the equaliser was forgotten by the home faithful. It was a goal of real character in a compelling match.
Celtic’s ‘disco lights’
Celtic’s ‘disco lights’ set the tone for a dramatic night at Celtic Park
Plenty of work ahead for Celtic to qualify- analysis

This result still leaves RB Leipzig with the advantage over Celtic. Both sides are on six points, but then it comes down to head-to-head and goal difference between tied teams – which means advantage RB Leipzig, 3-2 on aggregate.

After this result, Celtic’s fate is now out of their hands. With them unable to overturn the head-to-head record, they must simply try and replicate this performance which Rodgers has waited for and hope their German counterparts slip up.

It is not over yet for Celtic but they have plenty to do.
Young Scots shine on European stage

Former Scotland defender Willie Miller on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound

Ryan Christie has been handed the chance through circumstances, through injuries, and he’s come into the Celtic team and he’s been outstanding. Not just in playing in a Celtic team that’s playing at a high level, but playing against quality opposition as well.

He’s now really putting in performances that are saying to Brendan Rodgers, even if he’s not going to be starting he’s going to be a big part of his plans going forward.

Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor, Christie and James Forrest, the four of them were brilliant. And when you throw Craig Gordon in the mix it’s not a bad back-bone of a Scotland team.

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound

I think if Ryan Christie keeps performing like he did tonight, it’s going to be very difficult for Brendan Rodgers to leave him out. The energy he put in, the runs tonight, that’s what Stuart Armstrong used to do.

It’s magnificent to see a Scottish player going out and performing against a good Leipzig team. Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor and James Forrest as well though, all good young Scottish players performing at that level, that’s what we want to see and they did it really well.