RB Leipzig blew a 1-0 lead in defeat to Celtic in the UEFA Champions League. - © Ian MacNicol
RB Leipzig blew a 1-0 lead in defeat to Celtic in the UEFA Champions League. - © Ian MacNicol
RB Leipzig slump to UEFA Champions League defeat against Celtic
Despite taking the lead in the first half, RB Leipzig suffered defeat for the fourth UEFA Champions League game in a row against a spirited Celtic side.
Celtic 3-1 RB Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Baumgartner 24’, 1-1 Kühn 35’ (assist: Engels), 1-2 Kühn 45’+1 (assist: Taylor), 1-3 Hatate 72’
After riding the early wave of Celtic pressure, Leipzig grew into the game and found early success from a set-piece. Kevin Kampl sent in a corner, which caused Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers real problems, with the centre-back only able to flick it into the path of Christoph Baumgartner, who headed home. Their lead would only last ten minutes, however, as former Leipzig academy player Nicolas Kühn drew his side level with a fantastic left-footed curling effort from outside the box. The home crowd responded and fired their team forward, and the tide began to turn in Celtic’s favour. After Leipzig lost possession on the edge of their own box, the Hoops worked it into the centre of the six-yard box, where Kühn was on hand to tap home his second of the night with the last kick of the first half.
Leipzig searched for an equaliser after the restart, but apart from a long-range attempt which drew a good save out of Kasper Schmeichel in the Celtic net, the visitors were unable to create any clear-cut chances at the start of the second half. Baumgartner then fired a volley towards the bottom corner, but a brilliant Schmeichel stop prevented Marco Rose's side from levelling the scores once again. The hosts’ third goal, which came from a cross into the box that was spilled by Péter Gulácsi and fell to Reo Hatate to tap home, made it a real uphill battle for RBL in the final 20 minutes. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough from Leipzig on the night, and a fourth consecutive defeat in the Champions League means that they need to start picking up results soon should they wish to progress into the next stage of the competition.
Match stats
- Leipzig have also lost to Atlético Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool in this season's Champions League.
- The Saxony club have faced the Scottish champions five times in Europe, winning three and losing two (both in Glasgow).
- Baumgartner scored his second competitive goal of the season.
- Kühn spent three years in Leipzig’s youth system and played three UEFA Youth League games. He was also part of the Bayern Munich reserves team that won the 3. Liga title in 2019/20 under Sebastian Hoeneß.
- Celtic had managed only two wins in their last 14 Champions League games at home (D3, L9).
- The Scots had lost their last five fixtures against Bundesliga opposition, including 7-1 in Dortmund last month, and five of the last six at home.
Teams
Celtic: Schmeichel - Johnston, Carter-Vickers (Scales 73'), Trusty, Taylor (Valle 67') - Engels (Bernardo 67'), McGregor (c), Hatate - Kühn (Yang 73'), Furuhashi (Idah 81'), Maeda
Unused subs: Sinisalo, Palma, McCowan, Nawrocki, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh
Out: -
Coach: Brendan Rodgers
Leipzig: Gulácsi - Geertruida, Bitshiabu, Orbán (c), Henrichs - Baumgartner (Ouédraogo 76'), Haidara (Seiwald 76'), Kampl, Nusa (Elmas 68') - Šeško (Poulsen 68'), Openda (Silva 81')
Unused subs: Vandevoort, Elmas, Poulsen, Seiwald, Klostermann, Vermeeren, André Silva, Ouedraogo, Gebel
Out: Castello (thigh), Raum (ankle), Schlager (knee), Xavi (ankle)
Coach: Marco Rose
3 - 1
(2 - 1)
Celtic
FINAL
Leipzig
Champions League
League phase, Matchday 4 League phase, Matchday 4 Celtic Park, Glasgow
League phase, Matchday 4 League phase, Matchday 4 Celtic Park, Glasgow
Full-time: Celtic 3-1 RB Leipzig
© IMAGO/Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Full-time
90'
+ 5
Offside flag denies a fourth
Maeda thinks he's made it 4-1 to Celtic, but the assistant has his flag up due to the striker standing in a clear offside position.
90'
+ 3
Ouédraogo dispossessed by Scales
Leipzig string a few neat passes together in Celtic's half, but the young Ouédraogo is tackled by substitute Scales just as it was starting to look threatening for RBL.
90'
+ 1
Second half injury time
Five additional minutes have been indicated at Celtic Park.
89'
Celtic keeping the ball off Leipzig
The game has lost some of its early tempo, with Celtic passing it around as they try to manage the game. The clock is ticking for Marco Rose and Leipzig.
85'
Geertruida receiving treatment
RBL are currently playing with ten due to Lutsharel Geetruida receiving some medical attention on the side of the pitch.
81'
Silva on for the last ten
Rose brings on the striker to try and make an impact in the last knockings of the game, with Leipzig in need of two goals, and fast.
81'
Substitution
81'
Substitution
77'
UCL debut for Ouédraogo
Rose brings on young talent Assan Ouédraogo for his Champions League debut, after making his first league appearance for RBL on Saturday.
77'
Substitution
77'
Substitution
74'
Substitution
74'
Substitution
72'
Hatate pounces to score a third
Gulácsi spills Johnston's cross into the box, and it falls straight to winger Hatate who finds the back of the net.
71'
So close from Baumgartner!
The Austrian does well to chest it down and fire a left-footed volley towards the bottom-right corner, and if not for a strong save from Schmeichel, it would have found the back of the net.
68'
Both managers change things up
A pair of subs from either side as Leipzig bring on fresh legs in attack in their hunt for the next goal of this game.
68'
Substitution
68'
Substitution
68'
Substitution
68'
Substitution
67'
Gulácsi on hand again
A great piece of goalkeeping from Gulácsi: as the ball comes into the box from the right-hand side, the Hungarian positions himself well and gets the vital touch before it lands to a Celtic player.
66'
Gulácsi denies Hatate
The Leipzig 'keeper gets down low to block Hatate's driven effort from the edge of the box and prevent Celtic from going two goals in front.
62'
Šeško into the book
The striker is shown the yellow card for a foul on Engels.
62'
Yellow card
61'
Haidara heads over
Another dangerous Kampl cross, this time from a free kick, finds the head of his fellow Leipzig midfielder Haidara, but the headed effort goes well wide of the target.
60'
Henrichs returns to the pitch
Despite hurting himself with that latest tackle, Henrichs receives some treatment on the sideline and makes his return to the pitch, to the relief of RB Leipzig.
58'
Great tackle from Henrichs
The Germany international nicks the ball off the lively Kühn with a well-timed tackle. He's hurt himself in the process, but with Celtic on the counter, the importance of the intervention cannot be understated.
55'
Šeško beaten at the far post
Nusa wins back possession and sends a cross towards Šeško at the far post, but the striker is beaten in the air with what turned out to be a crucial intervention. Šeško would have fancied his chances from close range.
52'
Referee wants a word
The referee Benoit Bastien brings in Henrichs and McGregor for a chat following a foul by Engels on the Leipzig full-back. We are certainly watching a feisty Champions League tie tonight.
47'
Nusa's cross punched clear
Leipzig's number seven sets about his side's quest for an equaliser, but his ball into the box from the left flank is punched to safety by Schmeichel. A good indicator of RBL's intent in this second half.
46'
Work to do for RBL in second half
This Champions League match has resumed at Celtic Park, with RB Leipzig looking to get back into it after letting a 1-0 lead slip.
Kick-off!
Half-time: Celtic 2-1 RB Leipzig
© IMAGO/Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Half-time
45'
+ 1
Kühn taps in just before the break
RBL lose the ball just outside the penalty box, and Celtic work it into the middle before Kühn pokes the ball home from inside the six-yard box to score his and Celtic's second.
45'
Brilliant block from Orbán
Heroic defending from the Leipzig skipper who slides in to block Kyogo's effort and put the ball out for a corner. A brilliant intervention from the Hungarian!
43'
A real contest
Both sides have had their periods of dominance in the game, and as a result, the sides are currently level with half-time soon approaching...
38'
Maeda spurns a great chance
Kühn plays a great left-footed pass into striker Maeda, who shoots first time but skies his effort.
35'
Kühn curls in an equaliser
From outside the penalty box, Nicolas Kühn sends a left-footed curling effort into the top corner via the post, giving Gulácsi no chance and drawing the hosts level.
31'
Nusa blazes over
Leipzig launch a counterattack after Haidara wins back possession. It ends up at the feet of Nusa, who fires a left-footed effort high and wide from the left side of the box.
29'
Kampl's corners causing chaos
The Leipzig midfielder sends in another dangerous in-swinging corner, which is causing all sorts of trouble for the Celtic defence. They manage to clear on this occasion, but RBL's set-pieces are posing a real threat to the Scottish champions.
26'
Almost an identical second
Leipzig almost double their lead from another Kampl corner! This time, it is Orban who has a free header from close range, but he directs it just wide.
24'
Leipzig lead!
Kampl sends in the corner before it is flicked on to the far post by Carter-Vickers of Celtic. Christoph Baumgartner is waiting patiently at the back post and nods it in from close range to give Marco Rose's side the advantage!
23'
Openda tests Schmeichel
The Belgian finds space for a shot on the left-hand side of the edge of the box and sends a curling effort towards the bottom-left corner. Schmeichel is equal to the effort and parries it behind for another Leipzig corner.
19'
Šeško earns a corner
A deflected long-range effort from the Leipzig attacker goes out and wins a corner for the visitors. After the initial set piece is headed clear, Leipzig try to work it into the box a couple of more times but are denied by the resolute Celtic defence.
16'
Leipzig facing a high Celtic press
The hosts are refusing to give RBL a moment's peace on the ball with a high-pressing strategy, which is leading to a lot of changes of possession in the Leipzig half. This hasn't led to any goalscoring opportunities for the Scottish side thus far, though.
11'
Henrichs relieves the pressure
The Germany international draws a foul out of Kühn to stifle the Celtic attack. The battle between Kühn and the full-back is certainly one to keep an eye on.
7'
First real bit of possession for RBL
The away side have finally got their foot on the ball after absorbing the hosts' early pressure. They are unable to fashion a chance from it, but will be grateful to have settled into the game after a lively start.
5'
Kühn causing problems
A bright start from the former Leipzig academy player, who puts a teasing cross into the box which is cleared for a corner for Celtic which ultimately comes to nothing.
1'
End to end in the first minute!
Both sides get their first sight on goal within the opening 60 seconds! Engels had the first attempt of the game as his shot was blocked before Leipzig get straight down the other end before Baumgartner's shot is blocked by Trusty. Getting straight down to business!
1'
Kick-off!
RB Leipzig get things underway on Matchday 4 of the Champions League!
Kick-off!
Almost ready to go...
As 'You'll Never Walk Alone' rings around Celtic Park, the teams are in the tunnel and are ready to take to the pitch. Not long to go now!
Past success at Parkhead
© IMAGO/Stuart Wallace/Shutterstoc/IMAGO/Shutterstock
Šeško looking to add to his UCL tally
© IMAGO/motivio
More on those teams
© DFL/ Getty Images/ Leonhard Simon
Celtic starting XI
Schmeichel - Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor - Engels, McGregor (c), Hatate - Kühn, Maeda, Furuhashi
Celtic subs
Sinisalo, Valle, Ralston, Scales, Nawrocki, Welsh, McCowan, Bernardo, Idah, Yang, Forrest, Palma
RB Leipzig starting XI
Gulácsi - Geertruida, Bitshiabu, Orbán (c), Henrichs - Nusa, Haidara, Kampl, Baumgartner - Šeško, Openda
RB Leipzig subs
Vandevoort, Klostermann, Seiwald, Ouédraogo, Gebel, Vermeeren, Elmas, Poulsen, Silva
Former Augsburg man Arne Engels on Leipzig
“We are expecting a really good team. We are really prepared for it, we did some tactical things this morning and everybody is really excited for the game, and everybody is really ready.”
One to watch: Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn
© Grant Halverson
Christoph Baumgartner on Celtic Park
"We have just played in Dortmund and in general there are many great stadiums with cool atmospheres in the Bundesliga. Celtic Park will definitely be something special again, it will be my first time here. But in the end it is a football game and it is about being better than the opponent and ignoring the rest."
Rodgers on Leipzig
© Marco Luzzani
Rose on Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers
"Brendan is known for having a clear plan. Celtic's game is very wing-heavy. They don't have a big, strong header centre-forward, but they have a lot of players who are quick in the box. If they lose the ball, they are good at counter-pressing. Celtic are in good form, they have a good team with a clear idea of football. They play intensely against the ball, have fast players on the wings. This is a Champions League team."
Rose admits he's a fan of Celtic
"I already know a lot of the players because I've played against them here before, and many of them are still here. I've always enjoyed coming here, I appreciate the club's history, I appreciate the fan culture. I remember my first game here with Salzburg, we won. The Celtic fans showed us respect. After the game, some fans gave me a scarf and a hat, that's what brings us together. I'm definitely a fan of this club, and I like the coach too."
Without key men
If Leipzig are to collect their first three points of the competition against Celtic, they'll have to do so without key men such as David Raum (ankle) and Xavi Simons (ankle), both of whom were also missing from their loss to Dortmund.
Marco Rose: "We weren't at our best"
© IMAGO/Irina R. Hipolito
Mixed bag
Their opponents, Celtic, have won one, drawn one and lost one in the tournament so far and would love to add another win to their belt against Leipzig. Dortmund, who inflicted Leipzig's first league loss of the season on the weekend, did beat them 7-1 on week two of the tournament, and Leipzig will hope they can replicate their Bundesliga rivals' performance.
Searching for that first win
Leipzig have been on fire in the league, but are yet to pick up a point in the UCL. While they have faced incredibly tough opponents in Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, they'll be disappointed to have walked away empty handed from their first three games of the tournament.
1:03
Watch: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 RB Leipzig - highlights
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