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Man City vs FC Copenhagen LIVE: Champions League result, final score & reaction as Haaland nets twice in rout

Manchester City hope to continue their winning streak in the Champions League group stages as they come up against FC Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium tonight. Pep Guardiola’s side have already recorded comfortable victories over Sevilla (4-0) and Borussia Dortmund (2-1) with the Danish side now in their sights. City sit top of Group G and should have no trouble from third placed Copenhagen.

Copenhagen’s only point of the campaign came in a goalless draw with Sevilla back in September and the Danish club are also struggling domestically with three defeats and two wins from their last five games leaving them sixth in the Danish Superliga.

Meanwhile, City come into the fixture in brilliant form following a 6-3 win over rivals Manchester United with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scoring hat-tricks. Haaland now has 17 goals in 11 matches since joining the Premier League champions and continues to be City’s biggest threat in front of goal. “At his age no-one can compete with him. The numbers speak for themselves. We see things not in the stats that make us feel happy to have him here," said Guardiola when asked about the impact Haaland has made on his team.

Follow the action from the Champions League group stages as Manchester City host FC Copenhagen:

Manchester City vs FC Copenhagen

Manchester City FC 5 - 0 FC København

GOAL! Man City 5-0 Copenhagen (Alvarez, 76’)⚽️

21:35 , Michael Jones

76 mins: Julian Alvarez is off the mark in the Champions League. They step up the tempo and send Riyad Mahrez bombing into the box down the right side. He squares the ball into the six-yard area where Alvarez is free to guide it home!

Man City 4-0 Copenhagen

21:32 , Michael Jones

73 mins: Chance! FC Copenhagen finally have an opportunity as substitute Paul Mukairu is played into the right side of the box in behind City’s high line.

Rico Lewis sprints back and gets ahead of the forward as he checks back onto his right side. He shoots but the teenager deflects the ball over the crossbar!

Man City 4-0 Copenhagen

21:29 , Michael Jones

70 mins: 20 minutes to play at the Etihad Stadium and it very much remains a one-sided affair. City’s dynamic has taken a hit with the introduction of the youngsters but not at the expense of their dominance. There just aren’t as many chances being created.

Man City 4-0 Copenhagen

21:23 , Michael Jones

67 mins: Gundogan takes it and whacks his effort straight into the wall. Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden have been sent out to warm-up. That’s not a sight you want to see if you’re a Copenhagen fan.

Bernardo Silva’s night is over and Pep Guardiola hands out another Champions League debut by bringing on Josh Wilson-Esbrand to replace him.

Man City 4-0 Copenhagen

21:20 , Michael Jones

64 mins: If Manchester City win this game - which they should - then beat FC Copenhagen in Denmark - which they should - then they will qualify for the knockout stages with two games in the group left to go.

Jack Grealish is taken out about six-yards from the penalty area and City win a free kick. Gundogan and Mahrez both fancy this.

Man City 4-0 Copenhagen

21:19 , Michael Jones

61 mins: Manchester City are dominating possession. Lewis loses it with an attempted run down the right but Gundogan is covering and wins it back immediately.

The tempo of the game has slackened, ever so slighty, but Copenhagen are still struggling to find a foothold.

Man City 4-0 Copenhagen

21:14 , Michael Jones

58 mins: Joao Cancelo is given a rest by Pep Guardiola who brings on 17-year-old Rico Lewis to finish this game. It’s a Champions League debut for the youngster.

GOAL! Man City 4-0 Copenhagen (Mahrez, 55’)⚽️

21:13 , Michael Jones

55 mins: Mahrez converts from the spot! He guides the ball into the bottom left corner as the goalkeeper dives the opposite way. City have their fourth.

Penalty to Man City!

21:11 , Michael Jones

Man City 3-0 Copenhagen

54 mins: Marko Stamenic pulls down Aymeric Laporte as the cross comes into the Copenhagen box from the right wing and it’s a clear penalty.

The referee blows the whistle immediately and points to the spot. Riyad Mahrez is going to take this one.

Man City 3-0 Copenhagen

21:08 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Save! Cole Palmer receives the ball and brings it inside from the right, he takes a glance at goal and unleashes a curling effort with his left foot forcing another sharp save out of Kamil Grabara who pushes it over the crossbar.

Man City 3-0 Copenhagen

21:04 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Gundogan picks up where City left off and has a shot from outside the box. He runs down the inside left channel and checks to the right before fizzing his effort into the arms of Kamil Grabara.

Second half: Man City 3-0 Copenhagen

21:02 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Pep Guardiola does take Erling Haaland off at the break and brings on local lad Cole Palmer in his place. That’s the only swap for Man City who will look to add to their already impressive tally.

The home side get the ball rolling for the second half.

HT Man City 3-0 Copenhagen

20:56 , Michael Jones

Erling Haaland is the third player to score in each of his first three Champions League appearances for an English club, after Marouane Chamakh for Arsenal and Ferran Torres for Manchester City.

HT Man City 3-0 Copenhagen

20:52 , Michael Jones

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (Action Images via Reuters)
(Action Images via Reuters)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Half-time: Man City 3-0 Copenhagen

20:48 , Michael Jones

45 mins: No added minutes at the end of the first half. City are cruising. They’ve dominated from kick off and haven’t even got out of first gear to pump three goals past Copenhagen.

Erling Haaland has added another two to his impressive tally and will want to finish off his hat-trick in the second half. Providing Pep Guardiola doesn’t take him off at the break that is.

Man City 3-0 Copenhagen

20:45 , Michael Jones

42 mins: Chance! Alvarez tries to weave his way into the right side of the box but runs into trouble and lays the ball off to Joao Cancelo. He floats a cross into the box which drops to Bernardo Silva who brings it turn then lifts a shot over the crossbar!

GOAL! Man City 3-0 Copenhagen (Khocholava OG, 39’)⚽️

20:42 , Michael Jones

39 mins: City have their third! They move the ball quickly over to the left side where Jack Grealish lays it off to Sergio Gomez. He shoots from the front edge of the box and the effort takes a deflection.

It’s heading towards Haaland which forces David Khocholava to try and deal with it. He sticks out a leg and turns the ball into his own net.

Man City 2-0 Copenhagen

20:37 , Michael Jones

35 mins: Jack Grealish looks determined to get on the scoresheet tonight. He was quality in the Manchester derby though Phil Foden and Erling Haaland rightly took the plaudits. A goal for him tonight would be a good reward for some fine recent performances.

Another shot from the inside left part of the box gets blocked and Copenhagen scramble it away.

GOAL! Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (Haaland, 32’)⚽️

20:35 , Michael Jones

32 mins: Haaland again! City double their lead. The corner kick is whipped into the box and gets headed out to Sergio Gomez. He meets the dropping ball on the volley and smokes a shot at goal.

Kamil Grabara dives low to push it away but sends the ball straight to Haaland who pokes it into the open net.

Man City 1-0 Copenhagen

20:33 , Michael Jones

31 mins: It’s been all Manchester City in the first half an hour. They’ve thrown everyone forward more of less with only Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias hanging back by the halfway line.

City have created at least four great chances of note but Kamil Grabara is having a fantastic game. Jack Grealish fizzes another shot at goal from the edge of the box but the goalkeeper palms the effort over the crossbar.

Man City 1-0 Copenhagen

20:31 , Michael Jones

28 mins: Sergio Gomez makes an overlapping run and whips a cross in towards Erling Haaland but Denis Vavro leaps in front of the striker and nods the ball clear.

Man City 1-0 Copenhagen

20:27 , Michael Jones

25 mins: Chance! Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish combine on the left side once more with Bernardo taking the ball into the box this time.

He knocks it back to Grealish who rolls it onto his right foot and lines up the far corner with a shot. Grabara shuffles across and gets his hand to the ball managing to push it over the crossbar.

Man City 1-0 Copenhagen

20:25 , Michael Jones

22 mins: Save! Grabara comes to the rescue to deny Haaland.

Gundogan sends the ball out to Grealish on the left wing and he carries up down the line before slipping Bernardo into the box. He pulls it back and Alvarez leaves it be.

Haaland takes it off Mahrez then blasts a shot at goal that Grabara keeps out with a strong right hand.

Man City 1-0 Copenhagen

20:21 , Michael Jones

19 mins: Shot! Man City are moving the ball beautifully. They play the ball through the middle of the pitch with Ilkay Gundogan passing the ball on to Riyad Mahrez. He cuts inside and curls a shot at goal but the goalkeeper grabs hold of the ball to keep it out.

Man City 1-0 Copenhagen

20:19 , Michael Jones

16 mins: Chance! Aymeric Laporte whips a diagonal pass over to the right wing where the ball is nodded down to Riyad Mahrez.

He rolls the ball onto his left foot and curls a cross into Erling Haaland who guides his headed effort straight into the hands of Kamil Grabara.

Man City 1-0 Copenhagen

20:14 , Michael Jones

13 mins: Off the woodwork!

Haaland slides the ball to Jack Grealish who knocks it into the left side of the penalty area to match Bernardo Silva’s run. He gets to the ball and sends it towards goal but is denied by the near post!

So close to a second goal.

Man City 1-0 Copenhagen

20:12 , Michael Jones

10 mins: Riyad Mahrez takes the ball off Mohamed Daramy and drives inside before getting brought down by Viktor Claesson. City take the free kick quickly and work the ball over to the left where it’s crossed straight into the hands of Kamil Grabara.

GOAL! Man City 1-0 Copenhagen (Haaland, 7’)⚽️

20:08 , Michael Jones

7 mins: That man again! In what could possibly be his first touch of the game Erling Haaland gives Manchester City an early lead. Only seven minutes have been played but that goal has been coming.

Joao Cancelo bombs down the right side before sliding a square pass into the box. Haaland is wide open and he curls his effort into the near bottom corner.

Man City 0-0 Copenhagen

20:06 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Alvarez looks to pick out Erling Haaland but a block from David Khocholava knocks the ball down to Joao Cancelo. He drills an effort towards goal but it’s heading wide.

Haaland sticks out a leg to try and guide it back on target but there’s too much pace on the shot and the big forward misses it.

Man City 0-0 Copenhagen

20:05 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Joao Cancelo and Julian Alvarez combine on the right side to get into space wide of the penalty area. Alvarez sends in a cross and wins a corner when the ball is deflected out of play.

The corner is sent into the box but the visitors manage to get it clear.

Kick off: Man City 0-0 Copenhagen

20:02 , Michael Jones

FC Copenhagen get the game started and boot the ball over to the right side before it’s knocked softly into the box for Ederson to claim.

Man City then attempt to play out from the back and Copenhagen immediately drop back.

Man City vs Copenhagen

19:57 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams.

Man City have two wins from their opening two games and on paper look set to extend that this evening. Erling Haaland starts again after his hat-trick heroics in the Manchester derby but Phil Foden is given a rest for tonight’s match.

Kick off is next...

Man City vs Copenhagen

19:50 , Michael Jones

Kick off is just 10 minutes away at the Etihad Stadium so here’s a reminder of how the two teams line-up tonight:

Man City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Gomez, Gundogan, Bernardo, Mahrez, Haaland, Alvarez, Grealish

Copenhagen XI: Grabara, Diks, Vavro, SKocholava, Kristiansen, Stamenic, Lerager, Johannesson, Claesson, Daramy, Karamoko

FT RB Leipzig 1-1 Celtic

19:49 , Michael Jones

Celtic are now down to fourth in Group F with one point from three games. Their Champions League campaign will come down to the return leg against RB Leipzig next week.

If the lose that there’s not chance of qualifying but if they win they’ll still have hope of reaching the knockouts.

Reaction and report to come from Celtic’s defeat but the focus now moves over to Manchester where Pep Guardiola’s men are preparing to host FC Copenhagen.

Full-time: RB Leipzig 3-1 Celtic

19:44 , Michael Jones

90+5 mins: A valiant first half performance from Celtic made it seem as though they could take something out of this clash in Germany and those feelings were backed up when Jota equalised immediately after the restart.

However, RB Leipzig stepped up the tempo and quality from that point on and are deserved winners. They’ve put three past the Hoops and have had two more goals disallowed.

Celtic’s problem is their defence, they’re too open too often and that doesn’t win you games in the Champions League. Ange Postecoglou’s men are still searching for their first win of this campaign.

RB Leipzig 3-1 Celtic

19:40 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play in Germany. Celtic are dropping to fourth in the group with Leipzig getting themselves back into the mix.

Real Madrid face Shakhtar Donetsk later on and both these teams will be hoping Madrid win that one.

RB Leipzig 3-1 Celtic

19:39 , Michael Jones

87 mins: Leipzig are controlling this game nicely now. Celtic look tired and resigned to defeat. The home side a passing it around quite comfortably.

RB Leipzig 3-1 Celtic

19:33 , Michael Jones

84 mins: No they can’t. It’s played short to Haksabanovic who looks to cross but sees his pass blocked. The ball is eventually recycled out to Greg Taylor and he wins the visitors another corner.

This is good pressure right at the end of the game.

RB Leipzig 3-1 Celtic

19:32 , Michael Jones

81 mins: James McCarthy comes on for Reo Hatate in another Celtic change. The game has gotten away from the Hoops in this second half which has probably been their worst performance so far in the Champions League this season.

Into the final 10 minutes and Jota wins the visitors a corner. Can they score?

GOAL! RB Leipzig 3-1 Celtic (Andre Silva, 77’)⚽️

19:26 , Michael Jones

77 mins: It’s three! This is a beautiful goal from RB Leipzig.

Christopher Nkunku receives the ball on the left wing and brings it inside by shifting it around Oliver Abildgaard. He spots Mohamed Simikan out on the far wing and delivers a lovely diagonal over to him.

Simikan’s touch is exceptional and he volleys a pass across the box to pick out Andre Silva who brings the ball under control the pokes it past Joe Hart to score!

RB Leipzig 2-1 Celtic

19:24 , Michael Jones

75 mins: Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda are the two men hooked off for Celtic with Saed Haksabanovic and James Forrest the men tasked with turning around Celtic’s fortunes.

A lofted ball comes over to Jota who has a shy at goal and sends it straight into the arms of Janis Blaswich.

RB Leipzig 2-1 Celtic

19:23 , Michael Jones

72 mins: The home side have been the dominant force in the second half, ever since Celtic managed to net their equaliser. They just seem to have more energy and more belief at the minute.

Ange Postecoglou is going to make a couple of changes of his own.

RB Leipzig 2-1 Celtic

19:20 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Kevin Kampl and Timo Werner make way as RB Leipzig make a couple of changes. Emil Forsberg and Amadou Haidara come on to replace them.

Just over 20 minutes to play. Can Celtic can back in this one? RB Leipzig are controlling the game at present.

GOAL! RB Leipzig 2-1 Celtic (Andre Silva, 64’)⚽️

19:14 , Michael Jones

64 mins: They’re back in front! What a crazy game.

Joe Hart won’t want to watch this back. Leipzig keep men high up the pitch as the ball come back to the Celtic goalkeeper. He tries to play out from the back but passes it straight to Dominik Szoboszlai who’s just had a goal disallowed.

He gives it to Andre Silva in the penalty area and he guides it past Hart’s right hand to score off the inside of the post!

NO GOAL! RB Leipzig 1-1 Celtic

19:13 , Michael Jones

63 mins: The goal is ruled out! VAR gets involved and says that Andre Silva was blocking Joe Hart’s view and the officials have chalked off Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal!

That’s so unlucky for the home team!

GOAL! RB Leipzig 2-1 Celtic (Szoboszlai, 61’)⚽️

19:10 , Michael Jones

61 mins: Leipzig go in front again! The last five minutes have absolutely belonged to RB Leipzig who earn their reward thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai.

He brings the ball to the tip of the ‘D’ then cuts back inside of Oliver Abildgaard before smoking a shot into the far bottom corner. Andre Silva ducks underneath the shot and Joe Hart leaps to his left but there’s no way he’s getting there!

What a strike.

RB Leipzig 1-1 Celtic

19:09 , Michael Jones

57 mins: Off the post! Lovely play from Leipzig to burst through Celtic’s defence with some excellent one-touch passing.

Timo Werner starts the move with a pass into Dominik Szoboszai. He gives it to Christopher Nkunku who returns the pass as Szoboszlai heads into the box.

He shoots and gets the effort past Joe Hart only to be denied by the upright!

RB Leipzig 1-1 Celtic

19:04 , Michael Jones

54 mins: Matt O’Riley twists in midfield and tries to find a way around Kevin Kampl who takes him out and picks up a yellow card. This is good from the visitors who look composed on the ball.

That equaliser seems to have given Celtic a new burst of confidence. Reo Hatate flicks an aerial pass over the top and sends Daizen Maeda chasing after it.

He gets to the bouncing ball but can’t control it before it rolls out of play.

RB Leipzig 1-1 Celtic

19:01 , Michael Jones

51 mins: The game is very much alive once again. It’s been an open affair throughout these 50 minutes and either side can take this win.

There will be a winner, this match has the feel of being decided by some late drama. Lots of time to go until then of course.

GOAL! RB Leipzig 1-1 Celtic(Jota, 47’)⚽️

18:58 , Michael Jones

47 mins: Oh yes they can!

Reo Hatate recovers the ball in midfield and slides a great through ball up to Kyogo Furuhashi who carries it in behind the defence and into the penalty area.

Jota arrives on the left side of the box and receives the squared pass before calmly guiding it across Janis Blaswich and earning Celtic an equaliser!

Second half: RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic

18:57 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Celtic get the ball rolling once again for the second half of this clash in Germany. Can the Hoops get themselves back into this game?

Man City vs Copenhagn line-ups

18:56 , Michael Jones

Coming up at the conclusion of Celtic’s match against RB Leipzig is Manchester City’s Champions League game against FC Copenhagen.

Here’s a look at the two line-ups for that one:

Man City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Gomez, Gundogan, Bernardo, Mahrez, Haaland, Alvarez, Grealish

Copenhagen XI: Grabara, Diks, Vavro, SKocholava, Kristiansen, Stamenic, Lerager, Johannesson, Claesson, Daramy, Karamoko

HT RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic

18:43 , Michael Jones

Christopher Nkunku’s finish is the only difference between the teams at the halfway stage of this game.

 (PA)
(PA)
 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Half-time: RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic

18:38 , Michael Jones

45+7 mins: RB Leipzig take a lead into the break after what has been a very open 45 minutes of football. The difference has been the class of Christopher Nkunku who has given Leipzig the clinical edge on front of goal.

Celtic have created plenty of chances though and they won’t be too disheartened by going into half-time just one goal behind.

RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic

18:35 , Michael Jones

45+3 mins: Abildgaard gives the ball away and allows Leipzig to fly up the pitch and try to work the ball into the penalty area. Greg Taylor holds his ground and deflects the cross behind for a corner that then comes to nothing.

RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic

18:33 , Michael Jones

45 mins: There’s going to be seven minutes of added time to play. A chipped pass from Timo Werner comes over the top to Andre Silva who brings the ball under control before checking to the right and drilling a low effort straight at Joe Hart.

RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic

18:28 , Michael Jones

42 mins: Nearly! Celtic feed the ball to Jota on the left wing and he dribbles his way down the line before lifting a good cross over to the middle of the box.

Kyogo leaves his marker and leaps towwards the ball but his headed effort loops just over the top of the crossbar.

RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic

18:24 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Callum McGregor gave it another go but he goes to ground off the ball once more and needs to come off. Both Celtic and RB Leipzig captains have had to come off the pitch now.

Oliver Abildgaard is the midfielder brought on to replace McGregor.

RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic

18:22 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Both Celtic players are back on their feet and playing on. There’s going to be a fair chunk of stoppage time added on at the end of this half.

Can the visitors get themselves back on level terms before the break?

RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic

18:21 , Michael Jones

33 mins: More bad news fo Celtic as captain Callum McGregor goes down in midfield and needs a bit of treatment. He’ll be okay though but the same can’t be said of Josip Juranovic who comes off worse from a heavy tackle.

He’s down on the wing and is been checked over by the medics.

RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic

18:17 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Celtic shouldn’t get too disheartened. They’ve shown that they can cause Leipzig plenty of trouble if their finishing becomes more clinical.

Christopher Nkunku has shown again why the big clubs in Europe want to sign him. He’s scored two fine goals with two beautiful finishes but only one of them has counted.

Will he add more before the end of the game?

GOAL! RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic (Nkunku, 27’)⚽️

18:14 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Leipzig lead! This one will definitely stand too.

A Celtic corner resulting from Kyogo’s deflected shot is won and cleared by the home side who throw men forward in the counter-attack.

There’s four attackers over-running Celtic’s defence and they play the ball to Christopher Nkunku. He runs into the left side of the box, shifts the ball away from Joe Hart then squeezes it into the back of the net from a tight angle.

Lovely finish.

RB Leipzig 0-0 Celtic

18:13 , Michael Jones

26 mins: Close! Kyogo Furuhasi very nearly gives Celtic the lead after receiving the ball just outside the box. He shifts it inside and shoots but a slight deflection takes the ball wide of the left-hand post!

RB Leipzig 0-0 Celtic

18:11 , Michael Jones

23 mins: Save! A fantastic move from Celtic sees them work the ball over to the right side of the pitch before it’s played down the wing for Daizen Maeda.

He whips in an early cross and perfectly picks out Kyogo Furuhashi who powers a header at goal and forces Janis Blaswich into a leaping save to his left!

NO GOAL! RB Leipzig 0-0 Celtic

18:07 , Michael Jones

19 mins: Reprieve for Celtic as the replays show that Nkunku started his run too soon and just strayed offside. The goal is chalked off and Celtic are gifted a lifeline.

Can they make use of it?

GOAL! RB Leipzig 1-0 Celtic (Nkunku, 18’)⚽️

18:04 , Michael Jones

18 mins: RB Leipzig strike first! The home side work the ball over to the right wing where Mohamed Simakan sweeps up the pitch. He curls a pass around the back of the Celtic defence and plays in Christopher Nkunku.

Joe Hart charges off his line but Nkunku keeps his composure and lifts the ball over to goalkeeper to send the German ahead.

But was he offside? There’s a VAR check going on...

RB Leipzig 0-0 Celtic

18:02 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Yeah, the RB Leipzig goalkeeper and captain is taken off the pitch with Janis Blaswich replacing him. That’s a big blow early on for the home side.

When play restarts there’s a few battles in the middle of the pitch with neither side managing to get on top of the other.

RB Leipzig 0-0 Celtic

17:58 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Peter Gulasci is panicked after a blind pass back leaves him chasing after the ball. He manages to clear it but twists his knee as he boots the ball away.

Afterwards he stays down and isn’t going to be able to continue. The physios have called for a stretcher.

RB Leipzig 0-0 Celtic

17:56 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Stephen Welsh fouls Andre Silva after Mortiz Jenz gives the ball away cheaply.

Leipzig attempt to play on a feed Timo Werner into the box but Joe Hart is quick to respond and scoops up the ball. The referee then pulls plays back as Leipzig didn’t get any advantage.

The resultant free kick is then taken by Dominik Szoboszlai who belts his effort straight into the wall.

RB Leipzig 0-0 Celtic

17:54 , Michael Jones

6 mins: End to end stuff here! Celtic work the ball nicely into the Leipzig box and there’s a mad scramble that ends with the home side booting the ball clear.

Jota then wins it high up the pitch and cuts inside onto his right-foot. He shoots but a deflection takes all the sting out of the effort and the ball loops kindly to Gulacsi.

RB Leipzig 0-0 Celtic

17:50 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Chances! Christopher Nkunku has started brilliantly for Leipzig. The home side first catch Celtic on the break and send the forward in on goal. His effort is stopped before a rebound lands in the safe hands of Joe Hart.

Less than a minute later Leipzig fly down the right wing and whip a low cross into the six-yard area where Nkunku darts in front of Mortiz Jenz and turns his effort wide of the near post.

Kick off: RB Leipzig 0-0 Celtic

17:47 , Michael Jones

Leipzig kick off the match and work the ball over to the right wing. They try to move it quickly but Callum McGregor wins the ball in midfield and sends an early pass into the box for Daizen Maeda.

Maeda sprints over to the but Peter Gulacsi is off his line in a hurry and beats the winger to the loose ball.

RB Leipzg vs Celtic

17:42 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams.

Can Celtic get their first win on German soil or will Leipzig pick up their first points of this Champions League campaign?

Nkunku struggling in front of goal

17:40 , Michael Jones

Since the start of last season, Christopher Nkunku has been directly involved in eight goals in the Champions League (seven goals and one assist), twice as many as any other RB Leipzig player (4, Emil Forsberg and André Silva).

He is, however, yet to score or assist in the competition this term.

Celtic’s key man?

17:36 , Michael Jones

Through the first two matchdays, only Vinicius Junior (11) completed more take-ons in the Champions League than Celtic’s Jota (9).

The Portuguese completed eight in his last appearance against Shakhtar Donetsk. Only Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski has created more chances from open play.

‘We have to be prepared’

17:32 , Michael Jones

RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose spoke about what is expecting from tonight’s game and was complementary of Celtic’s style of play before adding that it will be "very difficult" for his side to qualify for the knockout stages if they lose this evening.

"Celtic are a team that is very attacking with a clear identity," he said. "They are active on and off the ball, they have a lot of pace.

"It’s really fun to watch them. A team that loves to play is coming to Leipzig and we have prepared for it."

Celtic’s away record

17:27 , Michael Jones

Celtic have only won one of their previous 13 away games in the Champions League with three draws and nine losses.

That victory came at Anderlecht in September 2017 under Brendan Rodgers but they have avoided defeat in four of their most recent six on the road, however, winning one and drawing three.

RB Leipzig vs Celtic

17:22 , Michael Jones

RB Leipzig haven’t kept a clean sheet in a Champions League home game since the opening matchday of the 2020/21 edition (2-0 vs Istanbul Basaksehir).

They have conceded an average of two goals across their seven games since then which is 14 in total.

Celtic facing Uefa action for fans’ ‘F*** the Crown’ banner

17:17 , Michael Jones

Celtic face disciplinary proceedings over an anti-monarchy banner displayed during a Champions League match on Wednesday night, but Rangers will not be punished for singing the national anthem before their game.

A banner in the Celtic section of the crowd at their game against Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw read ‘F*** the Crown’ while another said ‘Sorry for your loss Michael Fagan’, a reference to the intruder who broke into the Queen’s Buckingham Palace bedroom in 1982.

A Uefa statement read: “Please be informed that proceedings have been opened against Celtic FC regarding a banner displayed during their UEFA Champions League match against FC Shakhtar Donetsk played on September 14 in Warsaw.

“The Uefa disciplinary bodies will decide on the matter in due course.”

Celtic facing Uefa action for fans’ ‘F*** the Crown’ banner

‘It’ll be a tough match’

17:12 , Michael Jones

Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor is expecting a difficult game ahead of tonight’s Champions League match against RB Leipzig in Germany.

“We know it’ll be a tough match. It’s a very high level of opponent.” he said, “All we can do is prepare a game plan to win the game and go and be aggressive and try to implement our style.

“We’ve got to take our chances when we get them and do a lot of things right defensively as well."

Jenz returns to Germany

17:07 , Michael Jones

Celtic’s Moritz Jenz returns home to Germany after a career that so far has taken him to England, Switzerland, France and Scotland.

“It’s nice to be back in Germany because I haven’t been here in a long time,” said the 23-year-old. “I have played a lot of my football abroad, so I’m a bit of an unknown in Germany.”

RB Leipzig vs Celtic

17:02 , Michael Jones

Celtic have never won an away European match in Germany in 13 previous attempts with three draws and 10 defeats. They have failed to score in nine of those games and scored just six goals in total.

RB Leipzig vs Celtic

16:57 , Michael Jones

RB Leipzig have faced Celtic twice previously, doing so in the 2018/19 Europa League group stage. Leipzig won 2-0 at home but lost 2-1 away.

Who will come out on top tonight?

European Super League can revive ‘sick’ football says Real Madrid president

16:52 , Michael Jones

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez believes football is “sick” and claimed resurrecting the European Super League project would be one way to restore its health.

The Spanish giants were one of a dozen clubs in April last year who signed up to a proposed breakaway league, which collapsed following backlash from supporters once the idea came into the public domain.

While the six English sides withdrew, Real, along with Barcelona and Juventus, refused to renounce the ESL, which Perez reiterated his support for at his club’s annual general meeting on Sunday.

European Super League can revive ‘sick’ football says Real Madrid president

‘We’ll give it 100%'

16:46 , Michael Jones

RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai spoke in the build-up to tonight’s match and promised that his team with give it their all this evening.

"We’ll give 100% tomorrow.” he said, “Even though we don’t have any points on the board yet, we still have a chance of progressing.

"What happened against Shakhtar [a 4-1 loss] is behind us now. That taught us that we have to be fully committed in every game, regardless of who the opposition is. We want to show that tomorrow."

Celtic in Germany

16:41 , Michael Jones

Celtic have failed to win any of their 13 games on German soil. Can they end that torrid run tonight?

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Celtic team changes

16:36 , Michael Jones

Ange Postecoglou sticks with the same side that started against Motherwell at the weekend, with Stephen Welsh continuing at centre-back for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

There are two changes from their last Champions League game against Shakhter Donetsk with Welsh and Daizen Maeda starting instead of Carter-Vickers and Saed Haksabanovic.

RB Leizig vs Celtic confirmed line-ups

16:30 , Michael Jones

RB Leipzig XI: Gulacsi; Simakan, Orban, Gvadriol, Raum; Kampl, Schlager; Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Werner; Andre Silva

Celtic XI: Hart; Juranovic, Welsh, Jenz, Taylor; O’Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Maeda, Furuhashi, Jota

RB Leipzig vs Celtic

16:28 , Michael Jones

Tonight’s venue is the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany. Celtic really need to pick up three points if they have any hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Carter-Vickers absence doesn’t change anything

16:23 , Michael Jones

Ange Postecoglou says that Cameron Carter-Vickers’ absence tonight due to injury isn’t going to change the way the team plays despite the American defender being one of the best players in the squad this year.

"It doesn’t change the way we play," said the Celtic boss. "But they all have their own strengths and different ways of contributing to the team.

"But from our perspective, the structure stays the same. [Carter-Vickers] He’s been out for a few games now. Our concentration has been on the guys ready and fit to go.”

RB Leipzig vs Celtic

16:18 , Michael Jones

These sides have contrasting histories in Europe’s elite club competition. Celtic’s Lisbon Lions famously lifted the trophy in 1967 and the Scottish side have 216 games under their belts.

Leipzig on the other hand did not make their Champions League bow until 2017 and this is the German side’s fourth campaign in all. They reached the semis in 2019/20.

Cameron Carter-Vickers to miss Celtic’s clash with Leipzig, confirms Ange Postecoglou

16:13 , Michael Jones

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed star defender Cameron Carter-Vickers will miss Celtic’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.

The United States international was a doubt for the Group F clash at the Red Bull Arena after pulling up in training before the St Mirren defeat in Paisley before the international break.

Carter-Vickers missed the weekend win over Motherwell and – with his regular partner Carl Starfelt out since early September with a knee injury – Stephen Welsh and Moritz Jenz are expected again to deputise in the centre of the Hoops defence.

Postecoglou arrived in Germany also without winger Liel Abada and midfielder Aaron Mooy.

Carter-Vickers to miss Celtic’s clash with Leipzig, confirms Postecoglou

RB Leipzig vs Celtic team news and predicted line-ups

16:07 , Michael Jones

Dani Olmo remains absent for RB Leipzig due to a knee issue, with Konrad Laimer and Lukas Klostermann also unavailable due to ankle injuries. Marco Rose is unlikely to make major alterations.

Celtic forward Liel Abada could miss the encounter due to the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur - the club have let the player decide. Cameron Carter-Vickers, who has a knock, and James McCarthy, who has been struggling with illness, will be assessed ahead of kick-off, but both Carl Starfelt and Georgios Giakoumakis are likely not to feature.

Predicted lineups

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi (c); Simakan, Orban, Diallo, Raum; Kampl, Schlager; Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Werner; Silva

Celtic: Hart; Juranovic, Jenz, Carter-Vickers, Taylor; McGregor (c), Hatate; Haksabanovic, O’Riley, Jota; Furuhashi

RB Leipzig vs Celtic

16:02 , Michael Jones

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action.

Celtic travel to Germany in one of the early kick offs as they take on RB Leipzig in a crucial Group F clash. The Hoops have one point from the opening two fixtures but put in decent performances against Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk. They sit third in the group with only tonight’s opponents below them. The German side have lost both of their group games but will see this game as an opportunity to get their Champions League campaign back on track. Will Celtic be able to keep them quiet?

Then later this evening, Manchester City host FC Copenhagen at the Etihad. They come into the match on the back of a 6-3 trhrashing of Manchester United in the Premier League and Pep Guardiola will want to continue their winning streak. That’s before mentioning Erling Haaland’s imperious form in front of goal. He has 17 goals in 11 games for City and will want to improve on that record this evening.