Celtic’s journey in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League has been a rollercoaster, marked by triumphs and heavy defeats. With two matches already completed, the Scottish champions are navigating a challenging group featuring some of Europe’s top teams.
After securing a dominant 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava at home, Celtic suffered a crushing 7-1 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund. As it stands, they have three points from two games, and their hopes of advancing rest on their remaining fixtures against strong European sides.
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Analysing Celtic’s Path Forward
The next few fixtures will be crucial in determining Celtic’s fate in the competition, starting with a visit to Atalanta, followed by home clashes against RB Leipzig and Club Brugge.
Atalanta (Away)
In their recent match against Atalanta, Celtic showed great resilience by holding the Serie A side to a 0-0 draw in Bergamo. Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions, is a formidable opponent, especially on home turf.
Celtic has struggled in Italy historically, having lost all seven of their previous matches in the country, but this goalless draw marks a significant achievement. If they can replicate this form in future away matches, they may just be able to snatch crucial points on the road.
RB Leipzig (Home)
Next up for Celtic is a critical home fixture against RB Leipzig. The German side, known for their quick transitions and high-intensity pressing, will be a tough opponent. Leipzig’s key players, including Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons, are in superb form, and their tactical flexibility makes them dangerous.
Marco Rose’s team often deploys a 4-2-2-2 formation, allowing fluid positional play and attacking prowess. However, with Celtic’s home advantage and the passionate support at Celtic Park, there’s potential for another tight contest. A draw could be on the cards here, much like Celtic’s 2-2 thriller against Atletico Madrid in a previous campaign.
Club Brugge (Home)
Celtic’s best chance to add to their points tally may come in their home match against Club Brugge. While Brugge is an organised team with talent in both attack and defence, Celtic’s recent European form suggests they can be competitive at home.
With players like Hans Vanaken and Andreas Skov Olsen driving Brugge’s attack, Celtic’s defence must be sharp. Still, given Celtic’s ability to turn on the style at Celtic Park, this is a winnable fixture. Securing a victory here would be vital for Brendan Rodgers’ side as they look to move up to seven points from five games.
Dinamo Zagreb (Away)
The trip to Dinamo Zagreb could prove pivotal in Celtic’s campaign. Dinamo, renowned for their home form and defensive resilience, will pose a tough challenge, especially in Zagreb. Their star forward, Bruno Petković, leads a team that excels in counter-attacks, making them dangerous against teams that like to dominate possession. However, Celtic’s away form, which has seen improvement recently, offers hope.
With a solid defensive setup and some luck, Celtic could potentially claim all three points here, bringing their total to a crucial 10 after six games.
Final Thoughts
Celtic’s odds of progressing to the knockout stages are cautious but not impossible. Currently, the odds for Celtic to make it out of the group stage sit around 9.00, indicating roughly an 11.1% chance. While this might seem low, it reflects the formidable opponents they face. That said, Celtic has a history of punching above their weight in Europe, and with Brendan Rodgers’ tactical acumen and the backing of their home crowd, there’s room for optimism.
Celtic’s recent summer signings, including Arne Engels and Adam Idah, have added depth to the squad, which could prove crucial in the latter stages of the group. If they can secure maximum points from their home games and pick up a win on the road, 13 points could well be enough to see them through to the knockout rounds. This tally, though optimistic, aligns with the belief that Celtic can still progress if they deliver in key matches.
