Sport Nation 2Champions League: Celtic vs Slovan Bratislava Preview
Celtic are set to face Slovan Bratislava in a highly anticipated Champions League match at Celtic Park on Wednesday, 17 September, with a kick-off at 20:00 BST. The Scottish champions are eager to kick off their campaign with a victory, especially against a side that many consider to be underdogs. This will be an important fixture not only for Celtic but for Scottish football, as the country’s UEFA coefficient is in desperate need of a boost.
A Look Back at Slovan’s European Glory
Slovan Bratislava’s finest moment in European football came in 1969 when they triumphed over the mighty Barcelona in the Cup Winners’ Cup final, claiming their only European trophy. That victory remains a significant achievement in Czechoslovakian football history, a moment the club and its supporters still cherish. In that season, Slovan also overcame Scottish opposition, defeating Dunfermline Athletic in the semi-finals. This year, they hope to recapture some of that past glory as they compete in the Champions League group stage for the first time.
Celtic’s Opportunities
Celtic, on the other hand, have a long history in European football. Most notably, they won the European Cup in 1967. While recent years have seen Celtic struggle to make deep runs in European competitions, this season represents an opportunity for Brendan Rodgers’ side to make a fresh impact. The Scottish champions are considered strong favorites for this match, especially at home, where the atmosphere at Celtic Park under the floodlights is notoriously intimidating for visiting teams.
Celtic have not won their opening game of the Champions League since the competition was rebranded in the 1990s, but many feel that Slovan Bratislava presents an ideal opportunity to break that streak.
Slovan Bratislava’s Road to the Group Stage
It has been a long and grueling journey for Slovan Bratislava to reach this point. They had to battle through four qualification rounds to earn a spot in the Champions League proper. Their biggest achievement during the qualification campaign was defeating Danish champions Midtjylland in the play-offs. This victory secured their place in the group stage, marking their debut in this phase of the competition after several failed attempts.
The Slovakian side may lack the pedigree of European giants like Bayern Munich or Barcelona, but they are no strangers to challenging matches. Under the guidance of head coach Vladimir Weiss, Slovan has been a dominant force in Slovak football, winning the domestic league title six consecutive times. However, their European performances have been inconsistent.
Vladimir Weiss: Celtic’s Old Foe
Slovan’s coach, Vladimir Weiss, has a history with Celtic. He was the mastermind behind Artmedia Bratislava’s shocking 5-0 victory over Celtic in 2005, which eliminated the Scottish side from European competition that year. Weiss now returns to Glasgow, hoping to cause another upset, although this time with Slovan Bratislava.
Weiss also has a personal connection to Scottish football. His son, Vladimir Weiss Jr., had a stint at Celtic’s arch-rivals Rangers during the 2010-11 season. He notably set up the winning goal in the League Cup final against Celtic. Vladimir Jr. is still an important figure for Slovan, and this will be his final campaign before retirement.
Key Players to Watch
Slovan Bratislava may be seen as underdogs, but they have several key players with experience in high-pressure situations. Among them are Robert Mak and Juraj Kucka, both veterans of the Slovak national team who have played in major international tournaments like the European Championship and the World Cup. Mak was instrumental in Slovakia’s 3-0 win over Scotland during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, scoring two goals in that match.
David Strelec, the young striker who played in all of Slovakia’s Euro 2024 matches, is another player to watch. He has already scored five goals in 13 appearances this season and could be a threat to Celtic’s defense.
On the defensive side, Guram Kashia, who captained Georgia at Euro 2024, and Kenan Bajric, recently recalled to the Slovenia national team, form a strong partnership at the back. They will be tasked with keeping Celtic’s forwards at bay.
Tigran Barseghyan, an Armenia international, is perhaps the most dangerous player for Slovan. He has been in excellent form this season, scoring eight goals in 12 appearances. Last season, he contributed to 29 goals, proving his ability to both score and create opportunities.
Slovan’s Domestic Dominance
Domestically, Slovan Bratislava has been the dominant team in Slovakia for several years. They comfortably won the Slovakian title last season, finishing 15 points ahead of their nearest rivals, Dunajska Streda. They currently sit at the top of the Slovak Fortuna Liga, although they suffered a surprising 5-0 defeat to Zilina just before the international break.
While their domestic form has been impressive, Slovan has yet to translate that success into European competitions. They have participated in the Europa League and Conference League in recent years, but the Champions League represents a much bigger challenge.
Celtic’s Expectations and the Pressure to Win
For Celtic, this match is critical. A win would not only set the tone for their Champions League campaign but also improve Scotland’s UEFA coefficient, which has been under threat in recent years due to poor performances by Scottish clubs in Europe. A strong performance in the group stage is essential if Celtic want to ensure Scotland retains its automatic Champions League spot.
The pressure is on Celtic to deliver, especially in front of their passionate home crowd. Manager Brendan Rodgers has emphasized the importance of making Celtic Park a fortress in Europe once again. While Slovan Bratislava may not be the toughest opponent Celtic will face this season, Rodgers will be keen to avoid any complacency.
Conclusion
Celtic’s Champions League opener against Slovan Bratislava is more than just a game; it is an opportunity for the Scottish champions to reassert themselves on the European stage. While Slovan Bratislava may be considered underdogs, their journey to this point has been impressive, and they have several players capable of causing problems for Celtic.
With a packed Celtic Park and the pressure to win mounting, this fixture promises to be an exciting contest. A victory for Celtic could be the perfect start to a successful Champions League campaign, while Slovan Bratislava will be hoping to spring a surprise and make their mark in Europe.
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