Continental class from the champions

UEFA Champions League

Tuesday, November 5 2024

Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC…3

(Kuhn 35 & 48, Hatate 72)

RB LEIPZIG…1

(Baumgartner 23)

It was a famous European night to remember in Paradise as Celtic defeated RB Leipzig in what was a enthralling performance in Paradise by the Celts and in particular Nicolas Kuhn who lit up Celtic Park against his former club.

The Hoops burst out of the gates with intent, pressing high and creating early pressure. Reo Hatate’s incisive pass to Daizen Maeda set the tempo in the opening minute, with Arne Engels’ goal-bound shot blocked by the Leipzig defence, signalling Celtic’s ambitions.

RB Leipzig, struggling to match Celtic’s intensity, saw Kuhn nearly break the deadlock in the fifth minute, his teasing cross cleared by Willie Orban. The German visitors’ reprieve was brief, as Kuhn’s relentless involvement continued to trouble their rearguard.

Despite Celtic’s strong start, Leipzig threatened on the break, with Benjamin Sesko forcing a deflection for a corner in the 18th minute. A misplaced pass from Auston Trusty in the 22nd minute allowed Antonio Nusa to feed Lois Openda, but Kasper Schmeichel—celebrating his 38th birthday—produced a vital save, tipping the ball away.

The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute when Leipzig capitalised on a corner. Kevin Kampl’s delivery was inadvertently flicked on by Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Christoph Baumgartner pounced, heading home to silence Celtic Park.

Celtic responded with resilience. In the 35th minute, Kuhn announced himself with a moment of brilliance. Receiving the ball from Engels, he weaved past his marker and curled an exquisite shot past Peter Gulacsi, off the post and in. The roar of Paradise was deafening as the former Leipzig man netted his eighth of the season.

Minutes later, Maeda had the chance to turn the game on its head following an outside-of-the-boot pass from Kuhn, but his shot flew over, leaving Celtic fans with heads in hands. Reo Hatate’s clever ball to Alistair Johnston just before half-time nearly gave the hosts the lead, but Gulacsi comfortably saved Johnston’s weaker left-footed effort.

Celtic’s relentless pressing bore fruit almost instantly. Kuhn struck again injury time after Taylor’s last ditch cross fell to him in the box. Kuhn’s composed finish sent Celtic Park into rapture and put the Hoops ahead 2-1. It was a masterclass in pressing from Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Celtic continued to push in the second half, with Callum McGregor leading by example. The captain surged forward in the 50th minute, skipping past three defenders before setting up Kuhn, who narrowly missed the target, trying to complete his hat-trick.

Leipzig, searching for an equaliser, were denied multiple times by Schmeichel. The Danish veteran pulled off a crucial save in the 64th minute, diving to his right to deny Sesko. Moments later, Christoph Baumgartner was again thwarted by Schmeichel’s sharp reflexes in the 71st minute.

Celtic’s persistence paid off in the 72nd minute. Kuhn and Johnston combined seamlessly on the right, with Johnston’s cross spilling from Gulacsi’s grasp. Hatate, ever-alert, slammed the rebound into the roof of the net, sealing a 3-1 lead and sending Paradise into jubilation.

The Hoops had the ball in the net in injury time when Maeda tapped the ball home but the linesman had his flag up on the far-side to deny Celtic their fourth.

The Hoops saw it out a famous victory in Paradise that puts them in an excellent position after matchday four in the UEFA Champions League. It’s the first time since 2007 that Celtic have won three home games in the Champions League in-a-row. After such a performance, excitement will build towards the visit of Club Brugge in three weeks' time.

Fixtures

Celtic Vs. RB Leipzig - Tue, Nov 5th 2024, 20:00