Rodgers: Celtic Showed Character in Leipzig
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised his team's character after a hard-fought 3-1 defeat to RB Leipzig in the Champions League group stage. Despite going down early to a Timo Werner goal, Celtic fought back and even equalised through a stunning strike from Liel Abada. However, two late goals from Leipzig sealed the win for the German side.
"I thought we showed great character tonight," said Rodgers after the game. "We went behind early, but we didn't let our heads drop. We got back into the game and created some good chances."
"It's always tough to come to a place like this and get a result, but I'm proud of the players. They gave everything they had."
Despite the loss, Rodgers was encouraged by his team's performance. He highlighted the positive aspects of the game, focusing on their ability to create chances and their resilience in the face of adversity.
"The players are learning all the time, and I think you saw that tonight," he said. "We're a young team, but we're growing all the time. We've got to keep working hard, and we'll get better and better."
The result leaves Celtic with a mountain to climb in Group F. They now sit bottom of the group after two matches, with only one point. However, Rodgers remains optimistic about their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages.
"We've got a lot of games to play," he said. "We've got to focus on the next game, and we'll see where we are. We know we have the quality in this team to compete at this level."
Key Takeaways:
- Rodgers praised Celtic's character and resilience despite the loss.
- He highlighted the positive aspects of the game, including their ability to create chances.
- He emphasized the team's learning process and growth.
- He expressed optimism about their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Looking Ahead:
Celtic will be looking to bounce back from this defeat when they face Real Madrid in their next Champions League match. The match against the Spanish giants will be a real test of their character and abilities. However, based on their performance in Leipzig, it's clear that Celtic are not afraid of a challenge and are determined to make their mark on the European stage.