Outclassed Celtic, ruthless Real- Chris Sutton’s Champions League verdict
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group H - Celtic v Real Madrid - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - September 6, 2022 Celtic's Liel Abada shoots at goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
After a thrilling 45 minutes Celtic went down 3-0 at home to Real Madrid, the current holders of the Champions League.
Ange Postecoglou lived up to his promise, sticking to plan A and and almost got off to a flier when Liel Abada had a first minute chance.
Chris Sutton called the first half correctly with Celtic on the front foot, unfortunately his scoreline prediction of 2-2 proved to be overly optimistic.
Celtic outclassed in the second half but take yourself back a year and it’s a team and a club who have made so much progress under Ange Postecoglou. Real Madrid were ruthless that’s the difference at this level?
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) September 6, 2022
Callum McGregor struck woodwork but that was as close got although early in the second period Daizen Maeda shot at Thibaut Courtois from eight yards out.
Those chances counted for nothing in the 56th minute when Vinicius Junior put the visitors in front, four minutes later the lead was doubled through Luca Modric.
Going 2-0 down took the wind from Celtic, the atmosphere dropped with Real going further ahead in the 77th minute through Eden Hazard.
Of equal interest was the shock of the night in Leipzig where Shakhtar Donetsk won 4-1 with Marian Shved scoring their first two goals. Next Wednesday Celtic face Shakhtar in neutral Warsaw.