Celtic faced a challenging night in the Champions League, suffering a staggering 7-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund. The team, under Brendan Rodgers, arrived in Germany aiming to extend their unbeaten streak across competitions. The match began with a setback when Emre Can converted a penalty, putting Dortmund ahead. However, the Hoops quickly leveled the score with a goal from Daizen Maeda, who finished off a brilliant cross from new signing Arne Engels. Initially, the match seemed poised for excitement, but the situation soon deteriorated for Celtic as Dortmund took control, with Karim Adeyemi netting a hat trick in the first half.
After the match, Rodgers remained steadfast in his philosophy, refusing to alter his team’s strategy moving forward. He acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We cannot simply sit back and wait. We know there will be challenges, but we made too many errors tonight and were punished.” The manager expressed that while the team had entered the game with confidence, their execution was lacking, leading to avoidable goals. He emphasized the need to learn from such high-level competition and the importance of resilience in inspiring the players for future matches.
The media’s scrutiny fell heavily on Greg Taylor, Celtic’s left-back, who was replaced at halftime after a dismal first 45 minutes. His performance was rated poorly, with one outlet giving him just 2 out of 10, highlighting the struggles of a defense that was continuously breached. Another source rated him slightly higher at 3 out of 10, but both agreed that an upgrade in the left-back position is necessary for Celtic to compete effectively in Europe. Taylor’s lack of impact was evident, as he lost possession 11 times before halftime and was unable to contribute defensively, failing to make any tackles or interceptions.
The stats were unforgiving for Taylor, who recorded a meager match rating of 5.6/10, making it clear that he struggled to keep pace with the dynamic Dortmund attack. His matchup against Adeyemi, who scored three goals, highlighted the defensive frailties that Celtic exhibited throughout the match. Given his performance, many are left wondering if Taylor will maintain his spot in the starting lineup for the upcoming fixture against Ross County.
Celtic fans are left grappling with the implications of this heavy defeat. While it serves as a harsh reminder of the challenges faced at this level, there is a glimmer of hope for the team. The focus now shifts to how Rodgers and his squad can recover from this setback, learn valuable lessons, and find a way to strengthen their defense in future matches. The upcoming game against Ross County presents an opportunity for redemption, and it will be crucial for Celtic to bounce back and demonstrate their ability to compete at a higher level.