It’s all going wrong for Celtic domestically as we currently sit sixth in the Premiership after seven games.
It feels as though Ange Postecoglou just can’t buy any momentum as we continue to slump from poor result to poor result. The latest – a 1-1 draw against Dundee United on Sunday – won’t even have surprised many.
Now, our attentions switch towards Thursday night’s massive second group stage game against Bayer Leverkusen. The Hoops need a victory after losing our opening match to Real Betis, who will travel to Ferencvaros themselves.
And unfortunately, it doesn’t look as though any of our rivals are slowing up the way we are domestically. Here, we take a look at how all three of them got on over the same weekend we dropped yet more points in:
Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Mainz
Bayer Leverkusen just keep rolling on in the Bundesliga with another big win to their name on Saturday against Mainz.
The only goal of the game came when Florian Wirtz expertly guided a right-footed strike into the far corner after a brilliant give and go between himself and Jeremie Frimpong.
However, it was clear that Bayer were leaving plenty of gaps at the back. This was anything but a dominant performance with Mainz getting plenty of joy down the flanks and managing to cause Leverkusen issues with cross-balls.
Their golden opportunity came in the last minute Marcus Ingvartsen powered a free header towards goal. However, a tremendous one-handed stop from Lukas Hradecky ensured the points stayed with Bayer. They’ll also be looking to put right the number of opportunities they created as they look to start firing in the goals once again.
The win was Leverkusen’s fifth in six games. They now sit only three points behind Bayern Munich at the top spot.
Real Betis 2-0 Getafe
Well, Real Betis are starting to look like a different beast from the one Celtic came so close to getting a result against in Andalusia only a fortnight ago.
That 4-3 win for Manuel Pellegrini’s side appears to have boosted their confidence massively. Successes against Osasuna and Getafe have followed, whilst they also should’ve beaten Espanyol after a 2-2 stalemate too.
Their latest result came against Getafe in a sound 2-0 success. Betis have been boosted massively with the introduction of Brazilian talisman Willian Jose. He missed the Celtic clash due to not yet being fully fit. However, he has been in inspired form since. He’s netted four goals in Betis’ last three games, including a superb brace yesterday.
Two predator-like finishes in the penalty area was enough for a dominant Betis to bag another three points. With Hector Bellerin also adding real pace down the right flank, the La Liga side look even more dangerous than they did a fortnight ago.
And in truth, this could’ve been a total rout. Betis hit the bar on two further occasions and forced Getafe’s David Soria into some great reaction stops.
The confidence is flowing through Betis, and it’s finally starting to show in their performances and results.
Ferencvaros 3-1 Ujpest
Total plain sailing for Ferencvaros as they took apart Ujpest 3-1 on home soil. It’s a result that takes them to within three points off top spot, and bags them their sixth consecutive domestic win.
You can’t not look at Peter Stoger’s side and their form whilst not being envious of it. They’re doing exactly what’s expected of them at home and managing it in efficient style.
Ujpest’s goal on Saturday was the first domestic goal Ferencvaros have conceded in their last five matches. They’re in confident mood, with their narrow 2-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen on matchday 1 clearly giving them some extra confidence.
An early penalty slotted home by the skillful Ryan Mmaee was followed by a red card for Ujpest’s Abdoulaye Diaby. From there, Ferencvaros cut them open at will through some fine combination play down either flank.
It was only a matter of time before they got their second, which arrived through Tokmac Nguen.
The visitors managed to bundle a goal back, but it was never going to be a contest after the red card. The third goal, inevitably, arrived via Myrto Uzuni who stabbed home from close-range.
Ferencvaros may be the pot 4 team in our UEL group, but the truth is they’re absolutely flying.
In other news, Celtic loanee Ross Doohan bags back-to-back clean sheets for first time in 18 months
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