Celtic’s next UEFA Champions League opponents, RB Leipzig, were in fine fettle last night as they went top of the Bundesliga.
Marco Rose’s team hosted Freiburg and, despite continuing their miserable start to their European campaign midweek, romped to a comfortable 3-1 victory.
Although key man Xavi Simons is currently out injured and set to miss the game against the Hoops a week on Tuesday, Leipzig swept their opponents aside.
Freiburg did take an early lead, but second-half strikes from Willi Orban, Luthsharel Geertruida, and Lois Openda ensured The Red Bulls went top of the table for Saturday night.
Indeed, Leipzig currently sits first in the German Bundesliga, having amassed 20 points from their opening eight matches. Rose’s men sit three clear of Bayern Munich, who play their game in hand later today away to Bochum.
Although Leipzig remains unbeaten on the domestic front, they haven’t started the Champions League particularly well.
Granted, they have been up against some top opposition, but so far, they have yet to get any points on the board.
They narrowly lost 2-1 away to Atletico Madrid on matchday one before Juventus came to Germany on matchday two and, despite playing with 10 men for the last half an hour, walked away 3-2 victors.
Liverpool then beat Leipzig 1-0 midweek thanks to a first-half Darwin Nunez strike.
Their poor record in Europe at the start of this season means Leipzig come to Parkhead a week on Tuesday in desperate need of points.
Celtic could pile further European misery on their familiar foes, but they should in no way be underestimated, regardless of their poor start to the league phase.
