Brendan Rodgers is calling for a big performance from Celtic as they gear up to face Atletico Madrid in a crucial UEFA Champions League encounter.
Having endured painful defeats against Feyenoord and Lazio in the group stage, Rodgers acknowledges the imperative need to take some points against the Spanish heavyweights, especially if they want to progress in European football.
Celtic’s journey in Europe has been a challenging one this season. Their outing against Feyenoord saw both Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm shown red, severely denting their chances. Lazio’s last-minute strike at home further deepened the wound in Group E, just after Luis Palma thought he had scored the winner, just for VAR to intervene.
As the domestic form seems promising, Rodgers hopes to channel this momentum into the European stage. While acknowledging Atletico Madrid’s prowess under Diego Simeone, Rodgers remains confident that they are not invincible.
He asserted that to have any realistic shot at European football post-Christmas, securing points against Atletico is paramount.
He said: [Celtic TV]
“We play every game to win. We want to be intense, we have to press the game with an intelligence as well because they have top-level players.
“We will always go into every game to win, whatever stage the game is at that’s always our idea.
“If we’re going to progress in any of the competitions, we have to take something from tomorrow, otherwise it’s a hugely difficult challenge for us. We’re excited about that challenge and I’m looking forward to see us take that challenge on.”
The Parkhead showdown promises to be an intense affair, and Rodgers, along with the Celtic faithful, will be hoping for a night to remember that could change the course of their European campaign.
