The Real Deal – Johnny Orr

6th September 2022

Celtic beaten by Real Madrid in a lively encounter with the current holders showing their class.

In Celtic’s return to the champions league for the first time since 2018, they hosted the tournament holders in a much-anticipated match under the lights at Parkhead.

Real Madrid were seemingly stunned by the start of the Scottish champions, with high pressing, fast build-up, and a series of chances including a shot that hit the woodwork from captain Callum McGregor. The first half was a tightly contested affair with Celtic more than showing that they belong on the big stage and could put up a fight against any opposition.

After the break, Real showed their class and took their chances to put the game to bed with goals from Vinicius Jr, Luka Modric, and Edin Hazard sinking the hearts of the believers in the crowd. The Man of The Match award went to the maestro, Luka Modric, who throughout was the heartbeat of the Madrid side, showing why he is one of the world’s best players with a fantastic range of passing, great awareness, and a superbly taken goal.

A lesson learned for Celtic is that against opposition such as Real Madrid they must take their chances when they get them, but a sense of belief is now with the support that under Ange Postecoglou the team has a chance in Europe, a feeling that the Celtic support has not felt for a very long time.

Celtic took the game to one of the best teams in world football, and for that, they should be proud. The team will take confidence from this performance into the next game in the group stage, away to Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw next Wednesday where they will be looking to pick up their first points of the group stage with a win.