This newly revamped Champions League format has worked a treat for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers.
Before a ball was kicked, many were looking towards Celtic and how they could use this format to progress into the knockout stages after years and years of faltering at the group stages.
It has worked very well because Celtic are into the play-offs and it was achieved with a game to spare.
That meant that the trip to Villa Park on Wednesday night was far more relaxing and the first meeting between the two European giants generated an outstanding atmosphere and game of football.
Even though Villa raced into a 2-0 lead inside five minutes, Adam Idah’s comeback goals added drama to the occasion and put extra pressure on the hosts.
Before Villa’s quality shone through and they secured a top-eight finish, as Micah Richards was complimentary of the Scottish giants.
Micah Richards hails Celtic and Kasper Schmeichel after Champions League showing
Kasper Schmeichel replaced Joe Hart in the summer and the Premier League title-winner had big shoes to fill in between Celtic’s sticks.
Richards hailed the performances of Schmeichel and how he has been ‘at his best’ during Celtic’s Champions League journey this season.
The former right-back, who shared a dressing room at Manchester City with Schmeichel, wanted to give Celtic a ‘shoutout’ for their displays on Europe’s biggest stage, as he told The Rest is Football Podcast.
“A quick shoutout to Celtic as well,” said Richards. “We talked about the format at the very start. Normally, Celtic wouldn’t have a chance, I wouldn’t say they have been exceptional, but they have given themselves a chance.
“I think they have played well at the right times. I think Kasper Schmeichel has had to be at his best as well within the tournament. They are in the next round. It’s a testament to them, the squad and the belief for the fans because that Villa-Celtic atmosphere was electric.”
Who remains in the Champions League?
The Champions League was revamped this season and it has benefited the Bhoys, who are in the knockout stages for the first time in over a decade.
Celtic are set to play a two-legged play-off next month against Bayern Munich – and there is a chance there will be no away fans at the Allianz Arena.
That’s the negative side to it, but on the plus, a tournament that started with 36 teams, has now been whittled down to 24 and the champions of Scotland are amongst those great sides.
- Celtic
- Liverpool
- Barcelona
- Arsenal
- Inter
- Atletico Madrid
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Lille
- Aston Villa
- Atalanta
- Borussia Dortmund
- Real Madrid
- Bayern Munich
- AC Milan
- PSV
- PSG
- Benfica
- Monaco
- Brest
- Feyenoord
- Juventus
- Manchester City
- Sporting Lisbon
- Club Brugge
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