Celtic F.C

“It was a cruel one for us,” Slovan Bratislava coach explains four reasons why Celtic were ‘difficult’ to stop

Published

9 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Zillah Kelvin

Celtic have had a number of Champions League defeats over the years.

Slovan Bratislava manager gives his honest thoughts on Celtic ahead of Champions League tie

Bayern Munich. Paris Saint Germain. To name three, a 6-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid last season.

But, as a Celtic side inspired by their Japanese stars slayed Slovan Bratislava on an instantly legendary European night at Parkhead, Brendan Rodgers was relieved to be on the other end of a crushing, lopsided result.

Celtic not only won their Champions League opener for the first time. They blitzed it. They pureed, mashed, and sliced Slovan Bratislava, and the resulting 5-1 triumph perhaps favoured the struggling visitors more than their enticing hosts.

Arne Engels, the £11 million summer addition, began repaying his club-record transfer fee with a fizzing corner that set up Liam Scales’ opener. After Kyogo Furuhashi extended the lead in the 47th minute, thanks to some outstanding effort from Nicolas Kuhn, Engels opened his Hoops account from the penalty spot.

A stunning finish against the run of play from Slovan’s Kevin Wimmer threatened a comeback, but Celtic quelled any doubts almost immediately, with Kyogo, Reo Hatate, and the indefatigable Daezen Maeda combining for the fourth.

A goal manufactured in Japan but built in Scotland.

Substitute Adam Idah then added the icing on the cake with a stunning one-touch finish late in the race. Celtic secured their biggest-ever Champions League group-stage win in style.

“Of course, I congratulate Celtic on a well-deserved victory, even if it was a cruel one for us,” sighs Vladimir Weiss Sr, the Slovan Bratislava head coach speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel.

“It was played in a fantastic atmosphere. We managed the first-half well, Vlado (Weiss Jr, the manager’s son) had a chance to equalise. Ufortunately, we didn’t score.

“In the second-half, two quick goals decided the course of the match.”

“We lost 1-5. Of course, I can’t be satisfied with the result, but I’m not disappointed with performance. Celtic were very effective. We wanted to play football and I think we left a decent impression, even though we lost by a margin of class.”

Weiss Sr. was, however, dissatisfied with how simple his Slovan side made it for Celtic at times.

Slovan lost possession several times in their own half, playing into the hands of Rodgers’ high-pressing team, with Callum McGregor and his teammates springing into tackles for a Hoops side who never let up in their pressure.

Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Arne Engels shine

Brendan Rodgers praises 'absolutely sensational' second-half display from Celtic - Offaly Live

“You have to appreciate the quality of the opponent, the excellent players and the excellent coach in Rodgers,” Weiss adds. “In the three and a half years with Slovan, it was definitely the most difficult match in terms of intensity.

“It was very instructive for us. We were ready for everything, but that quality showed.”

Weiss then identified four aspects of the game in which Slovan simply couldn’t compete with the reigning Scottish Champions.

“Their pressing, passing speed, (their ability to) open the game, (their) one-touch play. They were better at that. They should be congratulated,” the former Slovakia and Georgia manager says.

“At home, we would have a better chance for a better result. It was practically impossible in this atmosphere.

“They have typologically smaller but fast players. We have taller ones. They were faster, more accurate (with their passing), better quality in many phases of the game.

“Celtic deservedly won – but you won’t hear any criticism of my players. I am proud that they are here, the emotion they have given to this club.”