On a challenging night in Dortmund, Brendan Rodgers faced the grim task of reviewing his team’s humiliating 7-1 defeat.
The Celtic manager’s understated remark, “We weren’t quite at our best,” seemed an understatement, as Borussia Dortmund exploited their errors mercilessly. Rodgers’ team crumbled under pressure, allowing Dortmund to dominate in a match that could have easily ended 10-1.
Celtic’s defensive frailties were glaring, as Dortmund’s players, particularly Julian Brandt, roamed freely in midfield, facing little resistance. The absence of a player to contain Brandt or disrupt Dortmund’s play was evident. Mistakes from players like Daizen Maeda, Alastair Johnston, and Auston Trusty led to one of the many goals, with Celtic visibly losing composure under pressure.
Rodgers termed the match an “acid test,” but his refusal to adjust tactics, even after a second heavy 7-1 loss under his leadership, raises concerns.
His inability to implement pragmatic strategies against stronger European teams remains a significant issue. Until Celtic introduces some defensive realism, they risk further humiliations on the European stage.
