SALZBURG can make history tonight by being the first team to win all six group stage games in the Europa League. It’s probably not been done before because teams that get off to a great start and qualify as. result tend to take the foot of the gas after the job is done.
It took Salzburg, because of the way results went elsewhere in the group – mostly due to Rosenborg getting zero points – until their fifth win before they could be sure of qualification, never mind winning the group.
Their 1-0 home win over RB Leipzig last time out achieved both objectives for the Austrian side and they will be able to relax and an enjoy the very special occasion this evening at Celtic Park, probably the best arena to play football in Europe at the moment.
Celtic can create their own little piece of history this evening if they can secure at least a draw. That would mean that they qualify and in doing so knock out a side from one of the so-called elite European league – RB Leipzig from Germany’s Bundesliga – from the group stages.
Celtic’s record against German sides has never been that great – Martin O’Neill had a triumph on the road to Seville against Stuttgart but there’s not been too much joy elsewhere.
A draw or even better, a win tonight and RB Leipzig’s name can be added to that list.
Brendan Rodgers, while the focus yesterday was mostly on Leigh Griffiths – remember applause for Super Leigh on the 9th minute tonight folks – also pondered these football matters.
“I think when you look at it and all the sides to it – which I tend not to – I look at it as enriching our football experiences and getting into the next stage.
“It has never been done because it is so difficult to do.
“You look at the power of Leipzig and where they sit in their league, and look at Salzburg with the power that whole Red Bull organisation have, we’ve put ourselves in a really good position.
“You only want it to be in your hands, it is in our hands and we want to grab that.
“We know it’s a tough test for us, but with everything and knowing we need a result it’s not workable to play for a draw.
“It has the feel of a big game, a game that we are really, really looking forward to. And rightly so because of our form, and not just how we have been playing in the last 2-3 months.
“In European competition, we have got better and better as the competitions have gone on. We maybe start off a bit slow, but we have always got better.
“We know it’s tough test for us but we know we need a result. It’s not workable to play for a draw.
“That doesn’t happen in football. You go out to win and see how the game evolves and take it from there.
“People say play for a draw, that’s unworkable. The mentality for us is we go to win and see where we go from there. And that’s how we play a game. We play a game to not concede a goal, be aggressive and this is a similar idea.
“There comes a point in a game, five or 10 minutes to go, it’s slightly different.
“It should be an incredible atmosphere, the wall of noise that comes from the stadium. The Salzburg guys, some of them won’t have experienced it before and for us it’s a great energy for our team and how we play. So we look to get the job done.
“They come into it having won five games, they have a great record, but our focus is just to continue with our game and how we have been playing, knowing they are a good side, and show our true face.
“We didn’t do that in Salzburg, but the Leipzig game at home we showed our true selves and this is an opportunity for them.
“They could relax themselves a wee bit. Salzburg could think that way as well, so they could actually play with more freedom knowing that they are qualified.
“I can’t control that. What I can control is how we play. And we arrive in to the game with confidence and belief and we have to keep rolling that out, and hopefully get the job done, which would be a fantastic achievement for us, given the level of team in the group.
“Our focus, and that of the supporters, is on the football,” Brendan said.
