If there’s one thing Celtic fans have learned over the years, it’s that a goalkeeper making his first big European start tends to turn into prime Gianluigi Buffon the moment he walks out at Celtic Park.
And tomorrow night, that man could be Matteo Bignetti.
With first-choice stopper Oliver Christensen ruled out through injury, Sturm Graz boss Jürgen Säumel looks set to hand the gloves to his 21-year-old understudy.
Bignetti has made only three senior appearances for the Austrian champions but now faces the biggest test of his young career, a Europa League night under the lights in Glasgow.
He’s played twice this season and conceded two goals.
We spoke to Tom Middler, an Austrian football Expert, and he told us:
“It is only Oliver Christensen who went off at the weekend, but that’s a big blow because he’s the only senior goalkeeper fit.
“So if Bignetti starts, and I presume he will, you’re talking about a 21-year-old who’s only played three times for Sturm Graz’s senior side.
“That could be a weak spot. He looks talented, but it’s massive pressure. Kudyakov, the other main keeper, was injured before the season, so they brought in Christensen to cover. With him out, it’s definitely an issue for Sturm Graz.”
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The keeper has impressed in limited minutes for Sturm’s second team and has been tipped internally as one for the future.
It’s a daunting stage for any goalkeeper, let alone one still learning his craft. Celtic Park can be unforgiving, especially with the home side desperate to end their lack of goal scoring.
Celtic supporters will be hoping this isn’t another one of those nights where an untested keeper decides to have the game of his life. But as history has shown, that feeling of it’ll be our luck is rarely far away when European football comes to Paradise.
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One Response
I doubt it, first Celtic Park is usually packed,it won’t be tomorrow,and second you need to shoot at goal to involve the goalkeeper ( something Celtic don’t do this season), they want to walk the ball into thd net.