Celtic certainly have had a baptism of fire back amongst the big boys again in European competition. After competing with Bayer Leverkusen, Real Betis, and Ferencvaros last year in the Europa League, the step-up was palpable as we were paired with reigning Champions, Real Madrid, German cracks RB Leipzig, and old foes at that level in Shakhtar Donetsk.
In fairness, it was as good a group as we could have hoped for being absent for so long, and we managed to compete strongly throughout our last five games. But the Champions League is the arena where mistakes are costly and a lack of cutting edge is decisive. Such has been our fate this year in Europe’s premier club competition.
Just two points are accredited to our name following identical reverse scorelines against Ukranians, Shakhtar Donetsk. In most games we gave as good as we got and were desperately unfortunate not to get all three points in Warsaw. Real Madrid whethered the onslaught at Celtic Park, going onto win a comfortable 3-0 in the end after the legs had gone.
And it is this onslaught that we reined down upon the Galacticos of Madrid that has had arguably the world’s finest attacking talent, Vinicius Junior, to question why we are at the foot of the table. He said: “I am not sure Celtic’s position in the group reflects their quality, as reported by Record Sport.
“In the first game, they gave us a difficult first half and it was a tight game. Eventually our quality showed, but the way they played for 60 minutes, I was sure they would pick up more points than they have. Maybe they have just been unlucky.”
Despite the fact that the Hoops are categorically out of the competition and Los Blancos are already into the Round of 16, both teams will be vying for some respectability. Celtic will want to finish on a high and getting something from the grandeur of the Santiago Bernabèu will go some distance in softening the blow of not qualifying for the Europa League knockouts.
Meanwhile, Real haven’t taken anywhere near enough points from the last six, after succumbing to defeat in Germany last week 3-2 at the hands of RB Leipzig, and dropping two points to Shakhtar on Matchday four. Vini Jnr knows the score and what is fully expected of the mighty Madrid club.
He added: “It is a game where there is still much to play for. We are qualified, but our aim was to always win the group, so it is still important for us. Even if Celtic’s journey in the Champions League this season is over, they are a proud team and will want to get a positive result in their last game.”
There you have it. If Real’s golden boy superstar from Brazil reckons we’ve underachieved because of our performances, we must be doing something right. It can be a daunting place to go the Bernabèu, but we must remember it is achievable.
Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol caused a shock a few years back and with the greatest of respect, they are nowhere near Celtic in stature. We must face the task head on and play our game. Who knows, we could just have a night to remember…
Paul Gillespie
