Celtic prepare to face RB Leipzig in Group F of Champions League
Celtic travel to Germany to take on RB Leipzig in what is a significant clash in the Champions League group stages. The Scottish champions have one point from their opening two fixtures after securing a draw with Shakhtar Donetsk and can take a huge step closer to reaching the knockouts if they win this evening.
RB Leipzig are bottom of Group F having lost both of their opening Champions League fixtures, but they come into the game on the back of a 4-0 victory over VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga. This season’s Champions League campaign has been disappointing for the German side but they can get back on track by picking up three points against Celtic.
However, the Hoops have impressed in Europe so far even though their performances have not brought them the desired rewards. Manager Ange Postegolou was left frustrated that his side only managed to collect one point against Shakhtar but they are slowly building a belief that they can compete in Europe’s top competition. Will they earn their first Champions League win of the season?
Follow all the action as Celtic visit RB Leipzig in the Champions League group stages:
RB Leipzig 3-1 Celtic
81 mins: James McCarthy comes on for Reo Hatate in another Celtic change. The game has gotten away from the Hoops in this second half which has probably been their worst performance so far in the Champions League this season.
Into the final 10 minutes and Jota wins the visitors a corner. Can they score?
GOAL! RB Leipzig 3-1 Celtic (Andre Silva, 77’)⚽️
77 mins: It’s three! This is a beautiful goal from RB Leipzig.
Christopher Nkunku receives the ball on the left wing and brings it inside by shifting it around Oliver Abildgaard. He spots Mohamed Simikan out on the far wing and delivers a lovely diagonal over to him.
Simikan’s touch is exceptional and he volleys a pass across the box to pick out Andre Silva who brings the ball under control the pokes it past Joe Hart to score!
RB Leipzig 2-1 Celtic
75 mins: Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda are the two men hooked off for Celtic with Saed Haksabanovic and James Forrest the men tasked with turning around Celtic’s fortunes.
A lofted ball comes over to Jota who has a shy at goal and sends it straight into the arms of Janis Blaswich.
RB Leipzig 2-1 Celtic
72 mins: The home side have been the dominant force in the second half, ever since Celtic managed to net their equaliser. They just seem to have more energy and more belief at the minute.
Ange Postecoglou is going to make a couple of changes of his own.
RB Leipzig 2-1 Celtic
69 mins: Kevin Kampl and Timo Werner make way as RB Leipzig make a couple of changes. Emil Forsberg and Amadou Haidara come on to replace them.
Just over 20 minutes to play. Can Celtic can back in this one? RB Leipzig are controlling the game at present.
GOAL! RB Leipzig 2-1 Celtic (Andre Silva, 64’)⚽️
64 mins: They’re back in front! What a crazy game.
Joe Hart won’t want to watch this back. Leipzig keep men high up the pitch as the ball come back to the Celtic goalkeeper. He tries to play out from the back but passes it straight to Dominik Szoboszlai who’s just had a goal disallowed.
He gives it to Andre Silva in the penalty area and he guides it past Hart’s right hand to score off the inside of the post!
NO GOAL! RB Leipzig 1-1 Celtic
63 mins: The goal is ruled out! VAR gets involved and says that Andre Silva was blocking Joe Hart’s view and the officials have chalked off Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal!
That’s so unlucky for the home team!
GOAL! RB Leipzig 2-1 Celtic (Szoboszlai, 61’)⚽️
61 mins: Leipzig go in front again! The last five minutes have absolutely belonged to RB Leipzig who earn their reward thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai.
He brings the ball to the tip of the ‘D’ then cuts back inside of Oliver Abildgaard before smoking a shot into the far bottom corner. Andre Silva ducks underneath the shot and Joe Hart leaps to his left but there’s no way he’s getting there!
What a strike.
RB Leipzig 1-1 Celtic
57 mins: Off the post! Lovely play from Leipzig to burst through Celtic’s defence with some excellent one-touch passing.
Timo Werner starts the move with a pass into Dominik Szoboszai. He gives it to Christopher Nkunku who returns the pass as Szoboszlai heads into the box.
He shoots and gets the effort past Joe Hart only to be denied by the upright!
RB Leipzig 1-1 Celtic
54 mins: Matt O’Riley twists in midfield and tries to find a way around Kevin Kampl who takes him out and picks up a yellow card. This is good from the visitors who look composed on the ball.
That equaliser seems to have given Celtic a new burst of confidence. Reo Hatate flicks an aerial pass over the top and sends Daizen Maeda chasing after it.
He gets to the bouncing ball but can’t control it before it rolls out of play.
