The Champions League, the pinnacle of European club football, is just around the corner, and the draw for the revamped league phase has left fans on the edge of their seats. This season’s campaign promises to be one of the most thrilling yet, with some of the biggest names in football facing off against each other. Among the teams vying for the coveted title is Celtic, the Scottish champions, who will travel to face last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa as part of their Champions League campaign.
The Road to the Knockout Stages
Celtic’s recent record in the Champions League has been less than impressive, with the team failing to reach the round of 16 since the 2012-13 campaign. In the past two seasons, they have finished bottom of their group, with just one victory. However, this season’s draw presents them with a fresh opportunity to turn things around. The team will face a tough test away from home, with trips to the Westfalenstadion to face Dortmund and Villa Park to face Aston Villa, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season. However, on paper, Celtic’s more favorable fixtures all come at home, where they will face RB Leipzig, Young Boys of Switzerland, and Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia.
The new league phase format, which replaces the traditional group stage, sees the 36 teams divided into six groups of six teams each. The teams will play each other in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the knockout stages. The remaining teams will drop down to the Europa League. With this new format, Celtic will need to finish in the top 24 places of the 36-team table to give themselves a chance of reaching the last 16 for the first time in 12 years.
A Look at the Opposition
One of Celtic’s biggest challenges will come in the form of Borussia Dortmund, who finished second in the Bundesliga last season. The German giants are now under new management, with Nuri Sahin taking the reins after Edin Terzic’s departure. Dortmund’s home form is notoriously strong, and Celtic will need to be at their best if they are to come away with a positive result. Another tough test awaits them at Villa Park, where they will face Aston Villa, who have a strong home record. Unai Emery’s side finished fourth in the Premier League last season and will be looking to make a mark in the Champions League.
Key Fixtures and Dates
The date and times for the fixtures are expected to be confirmed on Saturday. The first round of games is scheduled for the 17-19 September, with the final round of matches taking place on 29 January. Celtic’s home fixtures against RB Leipzig, Young Boys, and Slovan Bratislava will be crucial in determining their chances of progressing to the knockout stages. With the revamped league phase format, every game counts, and Celtic will need to be at their best if they are to succeed.
The New Format: A Fresh Start for Celtic
The new league phase format offers Celtic a fresh start and a chance to put their recent European struggles behind them. The team has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, and with the right mindset and approach, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League. The Scottish champions have a proud history in European competition, and their fans will be hoping that they can replicate some of the successes of the past.
According to Wikipedia, the new format is designed to provide more competitive matches and a more exciting competition for fans. With the top two teams from each group qualifying for the knockout stages, every game counts, and Celtic will need to be at their best if they are to succeed.
A Boost for Scottish Football
Celtic’s participation in the Champions League is a boost for Scottish football, which has struggled to make an impact on the European stage in recent years. The team’s success could have a knock-on effect on the Scottish Premiership, attracting more fans and investors to the league. With the likes of Rangers and Aberdeen also competing in European competition, there is a sense of optimism surrounding Scottish football at the moment.
The Importance of European Competition
European competition is crucial for Celtic, not just in terms of the financial rewards but also in terms of the prestige and exposure it brings. The Champions League is one of the most-watched and most-followed sporting competitions in the world, and Celtic’s participation in it is a chance for the team to showcase their skills on the biggest stage of all. With the new format providing more competitive matches and a more exciting competition, Celtic’s fans will be eagerly anticipating the start of the campaign.
The BBC’s Coverage of the Champions League
The BBC will be providing extensive coverage of the Champions League, including live text commentary and radio coverage for all matchweeks. There will also be match-by-match highlights available on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app from 22:00 on the Wednesday of Champions League matchweeks. A highlights show will air on BBC One on the Wednesday, running from 22:40 to 00:00.
With the BBC’s coverage, fans will be able to keep up-to-date with all the latest news, analysis, and fan views from the Champions League. Whether you’re a Celtic fan or just a fan of football in general, the BBC’s coverage is not to be missed.