RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose is anticipating a lively return to Celtic Park after last night’s hectic 3-1 win over Ange Postecoglou’s side in the Champions League.
The 46-year-old was Red Bull Salzburg manager when the Austrians bested the Hoops 2-1 in Paradise in the 2018-19 Europa League group stage, alongside current club Leipzig, who Celtic pipped to second spot on Matchday 6 courtesy of a late Rosenborg equaliser against the Bundesliga side.
Rose saw his team overcome the Scottish champions on a night when both sides lost their captains to injury in an oft-wild game that also saw VAR rule out two Leipzig goals for offside.
Speaking to Leipzig’s official website after last night’s game, he said: “I’m very pleased because we did well for long phases of the game against a good opposition.
“There was a high level of intensity, and it was a hectic game at some stages. As we gave them a lot to do, I think we deserved the win. It was a really good performance from us overall and picking up our second consecutive win can hopefully give us momentum into the upcoming weeks.
“We know that it will be a lively contest next week in Glasgow.”
Tuesday’s return fixture crucial for both sides
Although last night’s game was not must-win for Celtic as much as their German opponents, who picked up their first points of the group stage campaign, it heaps pressure on Tuesday’s return fixture in Glasgow with both sides likely needing wins to prevent requiring points against runaway group leaders Real Madrid.
Both sides can guarantee progression to the knockout phase with two wins from their two remaining games against each other and Shakhtar Donetsk assuming that Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos hold up their end of the bargain and win their remaining fixtures, so the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Whilst individual mistakes were at play certainly for the first two Leipzig goals for Celtic, last night’s game was one in which the Hoops struggled to consistently exert control over their Bundesliga opponents, with a more structed, compact press required in the next game if Postecoglou’s side are to find the precious win they require.
In other news: Report: Injured Celtic star makes specialist visit to determine timescale of first-team return
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