Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers views the upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund as a crucial test for his squad, emphasizing the significance of competing against elite teams in the Champions League. The match is scheduled to take place at the BVB Stadion Dortmund on Tuesday, September 30, with a kick-off time of 20:00 BST. Live commentary will be available on BBC Radio Scotland, along with live text coverage on the BBC Sport website.
Rodgers acknowledges the challenge posed by Dortmund, particularly with their passionate “Yellow Wall” of fans, but remains optimistic about his team’s preparations and recent form. Celtic heads into the match on the back of a nine-game winning streak, including a commanding 5-1 victory against Slovan Bratislava in their Champions League opener in Glasgow. In contrast, Dortmund secured a convincing 3-0 win over Club Bruges but suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to Stuttgart before bouncing back with a 4-2 win over Bochum.
When asked if this match serves as an “acid test” for Celtic, Rodgers responded, “I think this level is about as much about the head as it is about the skill. I don’t doubt that with this team. I think we arrive in a great place. I am very relaxed and focused that we can get a result that builds on the first result.”
The Celtic squad demonstrated their attacking prowess in their recent 6-0 victory over St Johnstone, and Rodgers has emphasized the importance of their pre-season matches against top teams as preparation for facing opponents like Dortmund. He noted, “The games that we played there, played some big teams and how we wanted to play at this level. We got off to a very good start in the last round, so we come here to a stadium very much like Celtic Park in that they breathe football, and we’re very excited by the challenge.”
Rodgers is keenly aware of the strengths of the Dortmund squad, recognizing their attacking capabilities despite having lost some key players in the summer transfer window. He stated, “Offensively, Dortmund are very good. They lost some players in the summer, but I look at the team, and they have some fantastic players in that middle to top area, so will put you on the back foot at times. It is a top side with top players, and we have to be right on it to get a good performance and result.”
Dortmund’s head coach, Nuri Sahin, has also expressed respect for Celtic, indicating that they cannot be underestimated. “I don’t think it’s fair to call them underdogs, to be honest. You’re talking about a team that hasn’t lost for many games and hasn’t even lost a goal in their league. They were very dominant in their first match in the Champions League. They are a very prestigious club with amazing talent in their squad and a fantastic coach. It will be a challenge for us, but at the same time, a big challenge, a huge challenge, which they didn’t have this season, playing in our stadium.”
In terms of team news, Celtic will be without United States centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers due to injury. Meanwhile, Dortmund is hopeful that English winger Jamie Gittens and Norwegian full-back Julian Ryerson, both of whom were substituted due to injuries in the previous match, will be fit to play. Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, who missed the match against Bochum, has also returned to training, along with 19-year-old centre-back Filippo Mane and 18-year-old left-back Almugera Kabar, who trained with a mask after suffering a broken nose. However, United States midfielder Giovanni Reyna remains sidelined.
Dortmund’s coach Sahin has particularly praised Celtic striker Daizen Maeda, stating, “If you really want a name, I’m a big, big fan of your striker. Furuhashi is not a typical striker like we are used to, a big one. But he is very smart, and I really like how he moves off the ball, the timing of his runs. I see a very smart guy there tactically.”
Celtic midfielder Arne Engels also expressed excitement about playing in such an iconic stadium, highlighting the importance of confidence: “It’s always amazing to be here and also to come back because I played here a few times. It’s an amazing stadium, and it’s always positive to play here. If you can play at Celtic Park, you can play everywhere. If you don’t have the belief, then you are better not to come and say it’s 5-0 for them. We want to come here and win like every game.”
Historically, Borussia Dortmund has faced Scottish teams 16 times, winning six of those matches and losing four. Celtic’s record against German clubs is less favorable, having won only four of 28 encounters and suffering 19 losses, with no victories away from home. In their last meeting with a Scottish side, Dortmund was eliminated from the 2021-22 Europa League by Rangers after a 6-4 aggregate defeat. Celtic’s recent encounters with German opposition resulted in a 3-1 defeat to Leipzig and a 2-0 loss at home during the 2022-23 Champions League group stage.
The two clubs have met twice before in European competition, both times in the UEFA Cup, with Dortmund progressing on aggregate in both instances. Celtic won their first meeting 2-1 at home in the first round of the UEFA Cup in 1987, but Dortmund took the second leg 2-0. In their 1992 UEFA Cup meeting, Dortmund won both legs, with a 1-0 victory at home and a 2-1 win in Glasgow.
As the match approaches, Celtic aims to build on their impressive form, having recently won 17 consecutive games, including nine this season. Dortmund, on the other hand, is looking to maintain their strong home record, having gone unbeaten in their last nine home matches, winning the most recent eight.
Both teams recognize the stakes involved in this match, and the outcome will not only impact their standings in the Champions League but also serve as a significant measure of their respective abilities at the highest level of European football. The clash promises to be an exciting encounter, with both clubs eager to assert their dominance on the continental stage.
As the whistle draws near, players and fans alike are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling contest, full of skill, strategy, and the fervor that characterizes European football. With a blend of established stars and emerging talents, both teams are ready to make their mark and seek the crucial points that could define their Champions League campaign.
