“I was surprised myself. The players were GREEDY” – Brendan Rodgers speaks on Celtic players’ performance in the UCL Opener game, reveals that THAT WASN’T WHAT WAS PLANNED.

Celtic’s Stunning Champions League Opener: 5-1 Victory Over Slovan Bratislava

Celtic began their 2024/25 Champions League campaign with an emphatic 5-1 win over Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava. Brendan Rodgers’ men delivered a commanding performance, demonstrating their “greed, hunger, and mentality” as they dismantled their opponents. The win marked a strong start for Celtic in the newly expanded 36-team competition.

First-Half Dominance

The game started brightly for Celtic, who took control from the outset. Their efforts were rewarded when Liam Scales headed in a goal midway through the first half. This goal set the tone for the match, and while Celtic had several opportunities to extend their lead, they couldn’t capitalize on them before the break.

Rodgers expressed his pride in the team’s performance, particularly noting how they dominated the game: “We played well in the first half, got the early goal, had more opportunities to be more clinical, but I just felt we were taking one touch too many,” he said. He encouraged his players to remain calm and confident in their approach: “We reiterated we don’t need to do anything special, we just have to be us. Just don’t overthink it.”

Second-Half Explosion

If the first half showcased Celtic’s control, the second half was nothing short of a masterclass. Right from the start, the Scottish champions pressed with intensity and precision. Their relentless attacking paid off as Kyogo Furuhashi, Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda, and Adam Idah all found the back of the net in a dazzling display of football.

Celtic’s five-goal haul marked a historic achievement for the club. The last time they had five different goal scorers in a European Cup or Champions League match was over 50 years ago, against TPS Turku.

Rodgers was particularly impressed with the team’s hunger and drive in the second half, stating: “The players were absolutely sensational. We could’ve had more than five.” He lauded their performance as one of the finest starts to a Champions League campaign that Celtic has had in years.

The Road Ahead

While this win gave Celtic a much-needed confidence boost, tougher tests lie ahead. Celtic’s next fixture is against Borussia Dortmund in Germany, followed by matches against RB Leipzig, Club Brugge, and Young Boys. Celtic will also face Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb, and Aston Villa in what is expected to be a challenging group stage.

Rodgers acknowledged the challenges to come but expressed excitement about the opportunities: “Our next three games are tough but exciting. We know it’s a long road, but the first steps are important, and the steps we made tonight were fantastic.”

According to Opta’s analysis, 16 points should guarantee a top-eight finish, securing an automatic place in the last 16, while 10 points are likely enough to secure a play-off spot. The expanded Champions League format now features a single league table with teams playing eight matches. A top-eight finish would see Celtic progress automatically, while finishing between 9th and 24th would require a play-off.

Rodgers’ Vision: Fortress Celtic Park

Rodgers highlighted the importance of turning Celtic Park into a fortress, a place where opposing teams struggle to get results. “The supporters were sensational. We won the last game of last campaign and the first of this, so we’re trying to make this place a fortress,” he said.

The energy from the fans was evident throughout the match, and Celtic’s players fed off that passion to deliver a memorable performance. As they look ahead to the rest of their group stage matches, maintaining this momentum at home could be crucial to their success in Europe.

Player Performances

Several Celtic players stood out in the game, with midfielder Arne Engels making a particularly strong impression. Engels, who scored one of Celtic’s five goals, proved his worth on the big stage, and his performance was lauded by pundits and fans alike. Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart praised the team’s overall energy, stating: “To start how they did, that energy, that passion from the crowd, the players, Brendan Rodgers… an incredible game.”

James McFadden, a former Scotland international, was equally impressed: “It’s so good to see a Scottish team the more technical in a game. They looked faster and fitter and played the better football.”

Pat Bonner, another former Celtic goalkeeper, emphasized the team’s hunger and quality: “Every single player looked hungry, and that’s the making of a good team. Keep that up, with the quality they showed tonight, and they’ll be a threat to some of the bigger teams.”

Celtic’s overall performance was dynamic, relentless, and confident. Sports writer Tom English summed it up by saying: “They scored five, they could’ve had eight, and that would have been a fairer reflection of their dominance. Great confidence, hunger, and edge collectively. That is the story of the night.”

Pundits Weigh In

The consensus among pundits and analysts was overwhelmingly positive. Celtic’s dominance was clear, and many remarked on how much the team had evolved under Rodgers. The tactical approach, the fitness levels, and the sheer determination displayed by the players made a lasting impression.

Joe Hart also pointed out that Celtic haven’t always taken advantage of such opportunities in recent times, but their performance against Slovan Bratislava was different. “From the first moment, they were on the front foot. Slovan Bratislava must have thought, ‘What has hit us?’”

Looking Forward

With Borussia Dortmund next on the fixture list, Celtic will need to build on their strong start. The German side will undoubtedly pose a far greater challenge, but Rodgers and his players will be buoyed by their performance in this opener.

Rodgers emphasized that his team is aware of the road ahead, but he remains optimistic: “The first steps are important, and the steps we made tonight were fantastic.”

The Celtic fans, too, are excited for what lies ahead. Their impressive start has boosted confidence, but there’s also a sense of caution as they know the toughest challenges are yet to come. Nonetheless, if Celtic can maintain the form they showed in their 5-1 victory, they will be a force to be reckoned with in this year’s Champions League.

As the tournament progresses, Celtic’s ambition will be to secure a top-eight finish and qualify for the knockout stages. With the talent, drive, and hunger on display, they certainly have the potential to achieve that goal.