Celtic FC endured a tough lesson in European football as they suffered a staggering 7-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. Under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers, the Scottish champions experienced a night to forget, highlighting the significant disparity between the two teams. Last season’s Champions League runners-up, now managed by Nuri Sahin, displayed their dominance from the outset, overwhelming Celtic and establishing a commanding 5-1 lead by halftime.
The match began on a disheartening note for Celtic when goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel conceded a penalty for a foul on Jamie Gittens just seven minutes in. Emre Can confidently converted the penalty, giving Dortmund an early advantage. However, Celtic quickly responded, leveling the score within two minutes thanks to Daizen Maeda, who capitalized on a well-placed pass from Arne Engels. Unfortunately for Celtic, this equalizer was short-lived, as Dortmund regained control almost immediately through Karim Adeyemi, whose deflected shot put them back in front.
As the first half progressed, the situation worsened for Celtic. Adeyemi struck again with a stunning long-range effort, and another penalty was awarded to Dortmund after Engels fouled Adeyemi in the box. Serhou Guirassy converted the penalty, extending the lead to 3-1. Just before the break, Adeyemi completed his hat-trick after capitalizing on a mistake by Maeda, leaving Celtic in a deep hole at 5-1. The second half saw Celtic in a defensive posture, desperately trying to limit further damage as Dortmund continued to apply pressure, ultimately adding two more goals to their tally.
The defeat raised serious concerns for both Rodgers and his players, with this heavy loss adding to a troubling trend for Celtic in European competitions. The team entered the match with hope but left with their spirits crushed, aware of the formidable challenge posed by their opponents. Schmeichel, in particular, faced a difficult night, struggling to cope with the relentless attacking threats from Dortmund, and it was evident that the level of competition was far beyond what he faced in the Scottish Premiership.
Dortmund’s attacking prowess was on full display, showcasing the qualities that took them to the finals last season. Celtic’s defensive frailties were laid bare, as they repeatedly gifted possession to a team quick to exploit any mistake. Despite the humiliation, there were glimpses of promise, especially from Maeda, who scored again, bringing his total to six goals this season. However, the overarching narrative of the match was one of disappointment for Celtic, reinforcing the need for