Category: Football, Sports

Celtic vs Borussia Dortmund: Crushing Champions League Defeat

Celtic’s unbeaten start to the season came to a crashing end as they suffered a devastating Champions League defeat against Borussia Dortmund. The German side, powered by the electrifying Karim Adeyemi, delivered a commanding 7-1 victory, leaving the Scottish champions reeling.

The game started in frantic fashion, with Emre Can converting an early penalty for Dortmund. Celtic quickly responded through Daizen Maeda, leveling the score and offering hope of a competitive contest. However, that hope was short-lived, as Karim Adeyemi took center stage, netting a lethal hat-trick, while Serhou Guirassy’s penalty helped Dortmund secure a 5-1 lead by halftime. Guirassy struck again after the break, and Felix Nmecha completed the dominant 7-1 result.

The win gives Borussia Dortmund a boost ahead of their next Champions League clash against Real Madrid, while Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic must regroup before taking on Atalanta in two weeks.

Celtic’s troubles began when Jamie Gittens showed incredible speed, drawing a foul from Kasper Schmeichel to earn Dortmund a penalty. Emre Can calmly slotted the ball into the net, putting the German side ahead early.

Celtic’s response was swift, with Arne Engels delivering a precise cross for Daizen Maeda to tap in from close range, bringing the Scottish side level. But any hopes of settling the match were dashed when Dortmund quickly reclaimed their lead.

Karim Adeyemi’s blistering pace was a constant threat to the Celtic defense, and he made the most of his opportunities. The young German international found the back of the net with a powerful shot, aided by a deflection off Auston Trusty. His second goal, a rocket from the edge of the box, showcased his incredible skill and left Celtic trailing 3-1.

Celtic’s situation worsened when Engels fouled Adeyemi, resulting in a penalty for Dortmund. Serhou Guirassy made no mistake, adding to Celtic’s misery by converting the penalty to make it 4-1. The raucous home crowd celebrated as Adeyemi completed his hat-trick just before halftime, striking another superb long-range goal.

Celtic managed to keep Dortmund at bay for the first 20 minutes of the second half, but their efforts were undone by an error from Alistair Johnson, which allowed Guirassy to net his second goal of the night. Felix Nmecha added a seventh shortly afterward, capping a miserable night for the visitors.

Celtic Lucky to Only Concede Seven Goals

Celtic entered this match full of confidence, boasting a perfect record of nine wins this season, including a dominant 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava on matchday one. Despite their strong form, Celtic’s hopes were shattered by Dortmund’s ruthlessness.

The defensive frailties of Brendan Rodgers’ side were evident, particularly without their defensive anchor, Cameron Carter-Vickers. Dortmund took full advantage, exploiting every opportunity to attack, and Celtic had no answers for their pace and precision.

If not for some last-ditch defensive efforts from Liam Scales and key saves by Kasper Schmeichel, the scoreline could have been even more one-sided, possibly surpassing Celtic’s worst-ever European defeat. Brendan Rodgers will be frustrated by the costly mistakes and defensive lapses that compounded his team’s problems.

This was always going to be Celtic’s toughest test, and they fell well short of the mark. Now, they must regroup and find a way to bring their best performances to the remaining Champions League matches.

Dortmund Prove They Are Champions League Contenders

Despite losing key players from last season’s Champions League run, Borussia Dortmund have shown they are still a formidable force. While Jadon Sancho, Mats Hummels, and Niclas Fullkrug have moved on, the current squad, featuring stars like Karim Adeyemi and Jamie Gittens, has what it takes to compete with the best.

Adeyemi’s electrifying speed, coupled with the vision and playmaking of Julian Brandt, was too much for Celtic’s defense to handle. Dortmund’s mix of pace, power, and tactical discipline makes them a difficult opponent for any team, and they are well-positioned to make another deep run in the competition.

Celtic, meanwhile, remain winless against German teams in the Champions League, having lost each of their last five such encounters (P9 D2 L7). Brendan Rodgers, who previously saw his side suffer heavy defeats against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, adds another disappointing result to his Champions League record.

Dortmund’s victory extends their unbeaten home streak in the Champions League to 12 matches (W8, D4), and Karim Adeyemi’s hat-trick was the first by a Dortmund player in a European match since Marcio Amoroso in 2002.

As Dortmund look forward to their next challenge, Celtic must find a way to regroup and improve if they want to progress in the Champions League.