Celtic’s Europa League opponents and group leaders, Bayer Leverkusen are in the midst of an injury crisis in the lead up to their Group G game against Ange Postecoglou’s men. The Germans have as many as eight players all sidelined for various reasons at the minute – including Celtic torturer and golden boy, Florian Wirtz.
The growing list is a concern for manager Gerardo Seoane, who may have to do without several crucial stars in the upcoming fixtures after the International break is concluded this week. Wirtz has a problem with his hip-flexor, whilst Scotland’s destroyer Partik Schick is suffering from a torn ankle ligament. Others that are absent include; Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Mitchel Bakker, Charles Aranguiz, Julian Baumgartlinger, Lucas Alario and Karim Bellarabi respectively.
Celtic could be set to face a side that is seriously affected by the loss of their star players, also having only won one in their last seven games. Kicker report however, Bellarabi, Alario and Wirtz could all make an appearance against VFL Bochum on Saturday. The extent of their inclusion is merely conjecture at this point in time, but with a plethora of talent sidelined, Ange Postecoglou and Celtic should see this as a major opportunity to take a major scalp once again in European competition.
It has been a while since Celtic defeated any of the big boys – especially away from home – in Europe. A showdown in Germany definitely whets the appetite for more glory night’s even if it is in the so-called “weaker tournament”. With Kyogo and Jota in fine form, we must put our foot on the accelerator in Germany against Leverkusen and do what we did in the opening exchanges at Parkhead, with Kyogo coming so close to putting us ahead. We had more chances but their ‘ keeper, Lukas Hradecky was exceptional on the night and they were ruthless. Fine margins as always at this level. We must learn to be cut-throat and hurt teams when they are down.
With Bayer suffering, we should be looking inflict as much damage as possible. This would enable us to finish in second place in the group, if we manage to beat Betis at Celtic Park in December.
Paul Gillespie
