Celtic Progress in the Champions League was on full display as they dominated Slovan Bratislava 5-1 in their group stage match. Fans of the Hoops are ecstatic about the team’s chances of advancing to the knockout rounds, and rightfully so. The 5-1 victory marked the club’s biggest ever in the competition and the first time they had opened a league phase or group campaign with three points.
The win catapulted Celtic to second place in the 36-team table, as one of 10 teams on three points. A top-eight finish would earn Celtic an automatic last-16 place, with a play-off to reach that stage the prize for teams who end up between ninth and 24th place. According to analysis by Opta, 16 points would almost certainly secure a top-eight place, and 10 would be good enough for a play-off spot.
Breaking Down Celtic’s Champions League Chances
Celtic’s Champions League campaign is off to a flying start, but how likely are they to advance to the knockout rounds? Based on Opta’s analysis, Celtic are probably just four wins and a draw away from advancing directly to the knockout rounds, or two wins and a draw away from securing a play-off.
Captain Callum McGregor believes that Celtic fans should be optimistic about their chances. “Let them think everything,” McGregor told BBC Scotland. “That’s what we want. We want pure positivity. We want that.” McGregor also emphasized the importance of goal difference, stating that “there’ll be a lot of teams sitting on similar points so we have to keep an eye on that as well.”
Tough Road Ahead for Celtic
While Celtic’s 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava was impressive, they face a much tougher test in their next match against Borussia Dortmund in Germany. Dortmund is a formidable opponent, and Celtic will need to be at their best to come away with a positive result.
“We know it’s a long road,” said Brendan Rodgers. “Our next three games are tough but exciting.” Celtic will also face RB Leipzig, Club Bruges, and Young Boys in Glasgow, as well as trips to face Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb, and Aston Villa.
Champions League Schedule
Here is Celtic’s upcoming Champions League schedule:
* Borussia Dortmund (away) – 2 weeks
* RB Leipzig (home)
* Club Bruges (home)
* Young Boys (home)
* Atalanta (away)
* Dinamo Zagreb (away)
* Aston Villa (away)
What’s Behind Celtic’s Success?
So what’s behind Celtic’s success in the Champions League this season? According to Brendan Rodgers, it’s the team’s “greed, hunger, and mentality.” Rodgers praised the team’s performance against Slovan Bratislava, saying “that’s the level, we want to keep showing it.”
Celtic’s intensity and work rate were also key factors in their victory. The team’s high press and quick counter-attacks were too much for Slovan Bratislava to handle.
Key Players Stepping Up
Several key players were instrumental in Celtic’s victory over Slovan Bratislava. One of the standout performers was **Kyogo Furuhashi**, who scored a brace and was a constant threat to the Slovan Bratislava defense.
Another key player was **Jota**, who provided several assists and was a creative force in midfield. **Joe Hart** also made several key saves to keep Slovan Bratislava at bay.
Statistical Analysis
According to Opta, Celtic had 22 shots on goal against Slovan Bratislava, with 11 of those shots on target. The team also had 58% possession and completed 432 passes.
Here are some key statistics from the match:
* Goals: Celtic 5, Slovan Bratislava 1
* Shots on goal: Celtic 22, Slovan Bratislava 7
* Possession: Celtic 58%, Slovan Bratislava 42%
* Passes completed: Celtic 432, Slovan Bratislava 325
What’s Next for Celtic?
With their victory over Slovan Bratislava, Celtic have set themselves up nicely for the remainder of the group stage. While the road ahead will be tough, the team is confident that they can continue to make progress in the Champions League.
As Brendan Rodgers said, “we know it’s a long road, but we’re excited for the challenge.” With their sights set on the knockout rounds, Celtic will need to continue to play at a high level to achieve their goals.
Will Celtic be able to advance to the knockout rounds of the Champions League? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, the team has the talent and determination to make a deep run in the competition.