GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: The scoreboard at full time during a UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and SK Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park, on September 18, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
With Matchday 1 of the Champions League completed Celtic remain in second place following their impressive win over Slovan Bratislava.
Bayer Leverkusen looked like ousting the hoops when they took a 4-0 half-time lead away to Feyenoord but with no scoring in the second half Celtic are ahead of Jeremie Frimpong’s team on goals scored.
Fifteen matches produced victories with just three draws to put Brendan Rodgers’ side in good company with Barcelona, RB Leipzig and AC Milan among the teams still to pick up a point.
How the new Champions League table looks after the first round of games ? pic.twitter.com/mBIYWylSxk
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 19, 2024
The new format looks like creating real interest, there is a novelty factor to it but game by game it should produce a fairer reflection on Europe’s leading clubs rather than groups which were often cut and dried after a couple of games.
Matchday 2 promises to be Celtic’s biggest test as they go away to Borussia Dortmund who opened up with a 3-0 win away to Club Brugge.
Following that match Celtic are away to Atalanta then home to RB Leipzig, if they add to their points tally from those matches they will be in good shape for a last 16 Play Off place with nine points the likely target.
Champions (League) again Ole,Ole !