Celtic’s European campaign faces a severe test of depth and character as they prepare to march into Rome without key wingers Daizen Maeda and Luis Palma for their crunch match against Lazio on Matchday five. The Hoops’ aspirations for continental competition beyond Christmas hang precariously in the balance after a torrid outing against Atletico Madrid.
The fallout from the bruising encounter in Madrid continues, with Maeda’s red card indisputably ruling him out of the upcoming clash. To compound Celtic’s troubles, Palma’s accumulation of yellow cards, notably picked up for dissent in a match that saw Atletico players escape similar censure, means manager Brendan Rodgers is now without both of his first-choice wingers for a fixture that could define their European destiny.
Celtic’s resilience will be thoroughly tested, as the prospect of deploying James Forrest and possibly Yang from the start looms large. Rodgers will have to conjure a masterclass in tactical nous and motivational leadership to keep Celtic’s hopes alive.
With the pressure mounting, the Hoops are acutely aware that victory in the Eternal City is non-negotiable. A win would keep the dream of European nights at Parkhead in the New Year alive. However, doing so without Maeda’s dynamism and Palma’s creativity adds a significant layer of complexity to the task at hand.
