CELTIC – REAL MADRID | Tuesday 9pm
Where were we? Ah, yes: Paris, Stade de France, Vinicius chastising Liverpool, Courtois’ saving saves, the 14th, Carlo Ancelotti becoming the most successful coach ever and Benzema, the great protagonist of the Blancos’ ride to the knockout stage, effectively ‘booking’ the next Ballon d’Or. It was just over three months ago when Real Madrid climbed to the roof of Europe for the umpteenth time, confirming their extraordinary feeling with this competition. Now the reigning champions, back to lift the cup with the big ears after four years of fasting, are about to embark on a new exciting continental adventure.
Repared to last season, there is no Casemiro, finished at Manchester United, but Rudiger and Tchouaméni have arrived, experience and youth at the service of the Emilia coach. On the other hand, the Mbappé dream has vanished, as he has decided to stay at the Psg. In any case, Real Madrid seems to have started with the same hunger as always. Five victories in as many official matches played and their first title in the bag (European Super Cup). In La Liga, they are already in the lead after four rounds: the successes against Almeria, Celta Vigo, Espanyol and Betis allow them to remain on full points and keep Barcelona at a distance (+2). In these matches it was mainly the attack that shone, led by Benzema: eleven goals scored by the Merengues, who continue to win and convince.
Such a roster that allows Ancelotti to face the first Champions League away match without any particular pressure. Real will make their debut at Glasgow’s fascinating Celtic Park against Ante Postecoglou’s green-and-white side, fresh from a 4-0 victory over bitter rivals Rangers. The enthusiasm of the Celtic environment, consequently, will be sky-high. Amazing, so far, the Hoops’ journey in their homeland. Not only have they started the season with six wins out of six, they have also scored a staggering 25 goals.
Ange Postecoglou
The Prediction
Ancelotti will come to Scotland with a full squad: the only change from the Paris XI is the presence of Tchouaméni in place of the departing Casemiro. The objective is to collect the first three points and make things clear from the start in a group that is anything but hostile (the other teams are Shakhtar Donetsk and Leipzig). Real Madrid are favourites, but conquering a historically hot stadium like Celtic Park will not be a walk in the park for the European champions. They will risk leaving too many spaces – in La Liga the Blancos have always conceded goals – to a Celtic side that, since the Australian coach has been on the bench, is used to shining from midfield up. The Scots should ultimately manage to score at least one goal.
Celtic v Real Madrid likely line-ups
- CELTIC (4-3-3): Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Jenz, Taylor; O’Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Abada, Giakoumakis, Jota.
- REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouaméni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
