Celtic’s Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund holds no fears for Arne Engels, it is a match that he is relishing. The young midfielder thrives on high-pressure environments and has shown that he can handle the intensity of the biggest stages. For Engels, playing in such iconic stadiums is not just a challenge, but an opportunity to elevate his game and prove his worth on the European stage.
Arne Engels Ready for Dortmund Challenge
After ticking off Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium two years ago Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park is probably the final iconic stadium for Celtic to tick off in their 23 year Champions League adventure.
Away wins are few and far between with Anderlecht and Spartak Moscow the only scalps that the hoops have taken on their travels, there is however a different feel to things this season with the tide turning since the final days in September.
Watching the Champions League draw this term was certainly different but almost out of nowhere the SPFL champions were handed the most favourable draw possible.
It felt like hitting the jackpot or finding the best casino bonuses a rare opportunity that could be a game-changer for Celtic’s Champions League prospects
There will be no double-header against any of the giants of the game, this time it might be about more than collecting the appearance fee with the draw followed by a spectacular day of activity as the transfer window came to a close.
Luke McCowan and Auston Trusty filled gaps in the squad but it was the signing of Engels that excited supporters, the club seems to be getting serious in the transfer business with an £11m signing from Bundesliga club Augsburg.
The new boy hasn’t disappointed- far from it. After a cameo appearance in the Glasgow Derby just two days after signing, Engels picked up his first full international cap then started and scored in the home wins over Hearts and Slovan Bratislava.
Hammering the Slovaks was the ideal start to the new look Champions League but Dortmund away will be a completely different challenge with Engels able to draw on his Augsburg experiences in that match
“I made my debut there, it was directly in front of 80,000 people,” the 21-year-old recalled of a high scoring defeat. “It was crazy, but it did bring the best out of me.
“It was a 4-3 defeat that day in Dortmund. It was a crazy game. Every time 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3. It was amazing to play in. I was 19. I grabbed an assist, so it was a perfect night for me.
“Augsburg were already a long time in the Bundesliga, they were in the middle table, or a bit below. So it’s obvious that Dortmund was expected to win easily, but it wasn’t like that. It was a good game.”
Building Momentum in the Champions League
With Engels settling into life at Celtic almost instantly there is realistic hope for Matchday 2 against last season’s Champions League runners-up.
Dortmund suffered a 5-1 loss away to Stuttgart after opening their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 win away to Club Brugge, Matchday 2 could be telling for Engels and Celtic’s prospects for progress in the Champions League.
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