A brace from Andre Silva handed RB Leipzig a deserved win over Scottish Champions Celtic to propel them into contention with their first victory of the group stages, and leaving Celtic staring at an exit from European football as it stands.
The game began in frenetic fashion, with chances at both ends as Timo Werner went closest. After a short restbite for a worrying injury that forced Leipzig no.1 Peter Gulasci off on a stretcher, the pair began their end-to-end duel once more.
Celtic pushed on and created plenty of chances, but it was the hosts that thought they had taken the lead when Christopher Nkunku slotted home, only to be adjudged offside, handing the away side a precious lifeline.
The Scottish side did not get the same fortune the second time however, as Nkunku rounded Joe Hart before firing in to hand his side the lead just before the half-hour.
Nothing can stop Christopher Nkunku!! 🔥
Leipzig hit Celtic on the counter and get from one end to the other in a flash! ⚡
A man in form, a man in demand 👀#UCL pic.twitter.com/eOunMhuMMw
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 5, 2022
Losing captain Callum McGregor to injury, Celtic continued to give away chances as the first half faded, but headed into the break just one goal down, and with hope of a comeback still on the cards.
That hope turned into belief when they levelled just moments into the second half, as Kyogo held off three RB Leipzig players before squaring the ball to Jota to tap in and level the scores.
Oh dear, Joe Hart… 🫣
The pass from the Celtic captain is intercepted by Szoboszlai and tucked away by André Silva 👊#UCL pic.twitter.com/yzfNqjBu8G
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 5, 2022
It knocked the stuffing out of a Celtic side who had battled bravely until that point, and they were cut open with increasing regularity as the evening wore on in Germany, with Andre Silva adding a third goal for the hosts.
Celtic, out on their feet, continued to chase shadows as RB Leipzig prodded and probed, but despite late efforts from Emile Forsberg and Andre Silva, it ended 3-1, leaving Celtic bottom of their group and without a win in three attempts.
Here’s how 101 rated the two teams.
📰 Table Of Contents
Player ratings:
RB Leipzig
GK- Péter Gulácsi – 5
Only lasted 12 minutes before a knee injury forced him off.
RB- Mohamed Simakan – 8
A brilliant assist for Leipzig’s third capped a fantastic night for the Frenchman, who looked a threat all evening.
CB- Joško Gvardiol – 6
Looked comfortable on the ball but will be disappointed with the space left for the Celtic equaliser.
CB- Willi Orbán – 6
The veteran defender continued to showcase his talents with another solid performance in the heart of the Leipzig defence.
LB- David Raum – 6
His wicked left foot was on show but lacked a little defensively.
CM- Xaver Schlager – 6
Hardworking and helped his side wrestle control from the Scottish champions.
CM- Kevin Kampl – 6
Solid but unspectacular in the RB engine room, Kampl did well to break up attacks and find his forward players to let them get on with it.
RM- Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
Had one fine strike seemingly harshly ruled out early in the second half, before teeing up Andre Silva just moments later.
CAM – Christopher Nkunku – 9
Two really well-taken first-half goals (although only one counted) demonstrated just why Chelsea were so keen on getting his signature wrapped up early. Ran the show for RB Leipzig.
LM- Timo Werner – 5
Looked ill-at-ease with his side’s quick interplay in the front-line and fired two efforts straight at Joe Hart when handed opportunities. Withdrawn after 70 minutes.
ST- André Silva – 8
Showed his clinical ability to take his two goals, and was involved across the pitch to link up play.
Substitutes
Janis Blaswich – 6
Could do nothing about the Celtic goal, and was otherwise largely untroubled in goal for the hosts.
Amadou Haidara – 5
Did little wrong as he came on with his side cruising.
Emile Forsberg – 6
Tidy in midfield when coming on, and set up the move for the Leipzig third.
Youssef Poulsen – 5
Didn’t see much of the ball but made some dangerous runs in behind.
Marcel Halstenberg – 5
On for the final ten minutes as injury forced David Raum off with ten minutes to go.
Celtic
GK-Joe Hart – 5
Impressed with a few saves in the first half but then made one catastrophic error passing straight to the opposition after Celtic had just been handed a lifeline in the second. Ended the tie.
RB- Josip Juranović – 6
The better of Celtic’s fullbacks, he was solid in both directions and kept the explosive Timo Werner relatively quiet.
CB- Stephen Welsh – 5
Made one brilliant block but the defence were often left exposed and struggled to deal with the cute interchanges.
CB- Moritz Jenz – 5
Like the rest of his team, looked slightly below the level required to win Champions League games.
LB- Greg Taylor – 5
Caught out by Leipzig for the third goal and struggled to get into the game in an offensive sense.
CM- Reo Hatate – 6
Did well to set away Kyogo for the Celtic equaliser and worked hard, but faded as the game went on.
CM- Callum McGregor – 4
Lasted just 37 minutes before injury forced him off. Gave the ball away for Leipzig’s opener in a game to forget.
CM- Matt O’Riley – 5
Struggled to get into the game and faded as Leipzig began to dominate in the second half.
RW- Daizen Maeda
Ran the channels well but squandered opportunities in the first half and looked much less of a threat in the second.
ST- Kyogo Furuhashi – 7
Wasteful in the first half, Kyogo did well to set up Jota for the equaliser and continued to work hard throughout the game.
LW- João Jota – 6
Looked dangerous but could not get on the ball as much as Celtic would have liked. Showed good composure to slot home the equaliser.
Substitutes:
Oliver Abildgaard – 5
Replaced McGregor but did little to impress and is a clear step down from the Celtic captain.
Sead Haksabanovic – 5
Did nothing positive of note when he came on, and could not help his side retain the ball.
James Forrest – 5
Came on to help his side while they looked dead on their feet, but could only chase shadows. One air kick when he should have done better 18 yards out.
Giorgos Giakoumakis – 6
Did nothing of note after coming on.
James McCarthy – 6
On for the final 10 minutes when the game as a contest was over, he was solid.
Fan Reaction:
The most Celtic in Europe 3 minutes I’ve ever seen. 3 chances squandered then concede straight away. Class.
— ceern. (@NotoriousBAG_) October 5, 2022
The difference between Celtic and Leipzig is a £72m rated forward that’s off to Chelsea – ripping the behind out of our 3rd and 4th choice CBs. Not bad all things (money spent, sporting cultures defaced) considered 🤷♂️
— Hamill (@CPHamill) October 5, 2022
Miss a handful of good chances get caught on the break go 1 nil down then lose your captain to injury, the most Celtic 45 minutes away in Europe I’ve ever clapped eyes on that.
— Boyle (@Boyle_67) October 5, 2022
I’m actually gutted about that.
No excuses whatsoever, Joe Hart a seasoned professional that’s genuinely embarrassing & inexcusable.
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) October 5, 2022
Expert reaction:
HT! #RBLCEL 1-0! #RBLeipzig score twice through the excellent Nkunku but only one goal stands. Celtic had an incredible spell after the offside goal and should have taken the lead but were overrun on the counter. Leipzig have been the better side after scoring.
— Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) October 5, 2022
Christopher Nkunku’s movement and pace is an unstoppable combination — he’s been a thorn in the side of Celtic’s defense. Not only is he making the right decision with his runs but he’s timing them to perfection.
Chelsea have secured a top-class talent.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) October 5, 2022
’26 – Costly mistake leads to RB Leipzig’s opener
’37 – Goes off injuredA first half to forget for Celtic skipper Callum McGregor 😣#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/iGuc6sOlGN
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) October 5, 2022
Chelsea, are you watching 👀
A ridiculously good first half from Christopher Nkunku 👏#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/UuP6xgDhmU
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 5, 2022
