Celtic are back in European action tonight as they make the pilgrimage to Madrid to face off against Diego Simeone’s Atleti side for the second time this season in the Champions League.
Many had identified this fixture as something of a free hit for Celtic when the draw was initially made, but the team’s incredibly encouraging display against Atlético Madrid in the home leg has inspired some hope that the team can attempt to go toe-to-toe with the Spanish giants once again.
Brendan Rodgers’ side were suffering from something of a European hangover following that hard-fought draw against the Spaniards, with the flat scoreless stalemate against Hibs at Easter Road following that match featuring a leggy display from the Hoops. Although that disappointing result was followed up by a win over St Mirren mid-week, it was far from a vintage performance by the champions.
Back to form
The form returned at the weekend in a dominant display against Ross County up in Dingwall. The score was 3-0 in the end, but that was flattering for the home side who, but for the goalkeeping exploits of Ross Laidlaw in the Highlanders net, would have been on the end of an annihilation.
Celtic’s rotation options had come under criticism in recent European games due to the lack of an impact player to really change the game from the bench, but over the last few weeks it has been the substitutes who have made the difference. It was a trio of changes that flipped the match on its head against St Mirren, with Oh, Yang and Holm all providing the necessary spark to win the game. Against Ross County at the weekend, it was the introduction of the in-form Luis Palma that helped the Hoops over the line, providing a goal and an assist.
Palma has been one of the stand-out performers for Celtic in Europe this season, being unlucky not to have bagged a goal against Lazio at Celtic Park but bouncing back and lashing home against Atlético Madrid in the next fixture to put Celtic back in front.
Something that stood out from this Celtic side in the first encounter with the Spaniards was the mental resilience from the team. Not only did they retake the lead after Antoine Griezmann’s first-half equaliser, but they also continued to take the game to them in the second-half. This is a quality that has been missing from Celtic teams in recent years in Europe, and they will have to remain mentally strong once again in what will be a hostile Wanda Metropolitano tonight.
Update on Atlético Madrid
The Spaniard have played two La Liga games since we drew 2-2 at Celtic Park. First up was a 2-1 home win over Deportivo Alaves, where captain and veteran midfielder, Koke, played a starring role as they prevented a late fight-back from the visitors.
Following that victory, Diego Simeone’s side suffered a surprise defeat as they lost 2-1 away from home against Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. They will be without World Cup-winning Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul for tonight’s game, and Celtic will be looking to call upon some of the strengths from our home performance against Atleti, as well as some of the keys to success from Las Palmas’ win over them at the weekend.
JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE
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