Matchday two of the Champions League pits Celtic against last season’s runners-up, Borussia Dortmund, as Brendan Rodgers bids to solidify the Hoops’ place at the top of the table.
The 5-1 opening group-stage win over Slovan Bratislava gave Celtic a massive shot of confidence as they made their mark on the new tournament setup in style with an emphatic performance against the Slovakian champions.
Now in Germany to face Dortmund at the Westenfallonstadion, Brendan Rodgers has a tough task ahead of him to guide Celtic into getting something from the Bundesliga giants.
However, it seems that the task ahead may not be as impossible as some believe as football pundit, James Horncastle, points out exactly why Celtic is ‘a dangerous opponent’ for Nuri Sahin tonight.
Celtic can threaten ‘chaotic’ Dortmund
Speaking about Dortmund’s 4-2 win over Bochum, Horncastle recalled a moment when Bochum botched the chance to go 3-0 up on Sahin’s side as he branded the Bundesliga giants ‘chaotic’.
Horncastle told The Totally Football Show, “It was just one of those moments you thought, that’s going to be relevant at the end of this. Because Dortmund were chaotic. They were creating chances, but attacking with at times five at the top of the pitch and every time they lost the ball, chaos.
“Huge vulnerabilities, so much space, very, very easy for Bochum to break into. And then, one goal back before halftime to an Emre Can penalty. And then from that point, you could feel this, not a sense of security, but a decent amount of momentum.
“With the ball, Dortmund have got some nice ideas. Remember, when Cahin came in as [Edin] Terzic’s assistant over the last winter break, it was to kind of renovate their attacking ideas and to make them better at moving the ball quickly, forward with precision, creating chances, being a little bit more original in possession.
“And they look it. It’s a little bit perilous at the moment because he’s pushing players so high that transition is going to be a problem for a while.
“I think Celtic are a little bit of a dangerous opponent, given the speed they’re going to have on the break.”
Celtic can exploit Dortmund
Listening to what Horncastle has just said, Celtic do have players in the squad that can ‘hurt’ Borussia Dortmund.
The pace and power of Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn on the wings will be complemented by the precision and deadly accuracy of Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah up front.
The nous of Arne Engels and either Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo will be supported by Callum McGregor in the heart of Celtic’s midfield.
And having the aggression of Alistair Johnston and the strength that Liam Scales is showing in defence, both are bolstered by Kasper Schmeichel who has looked solid in goal for Celtic this season.
Whilst Celtic will need to be wary of the Dortmund threat, the Germans will also need to be on their mettle for the challenge the current Scottish champions will pose.
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