Connect with us

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Celtic’S Europa League Troubles Deepen After Chaotic Loss To Braga

European nights at Parkhead are supposed to be magical — but for Celtic, the 2-0 defeat to Sporting Braga was another chapter in what’s becoming a frustrating European campaign.

Following their Champions League exit to Kairat Almaty and a laboured draw with Red Star Belgrade, this result leaves Brendan Rodgers’ men with just one point from a possible six in the Europa League — and more questions than answers.

A Night To Forget For Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel had a night to forget in goal. He misjudged a long-range strike from Ricardo Horta early on, letting the ball sneak past him and silencing the Celtic faithful.

In the dying minutes, a disastrous clearance attempt saw the ball rebound off teammate Gabri Martinez and into the net, sealing all three points for Braga — and Celtic’s fate on the night.

While Schmeichel did pull off a solid save late on, it couldn’t mask the earlier errors that set the tone for a chaotic evening.

VAR Drama And Denied Hope

Celtic thought they’d pulled one back when Kelechi Iheanacho calmly slotted the ball into the net after a defensive lapse from Braga. The stadium erupted — but the celebrations were short-lived. Referee Tobias Stieler spotted a handball in the buildup, a call confirmed after a lengthy VAR check.

The frustration was palpable.

Rodgers Rings The Changes

Credit to Brendan Rodgers — he tried everything. After watching his side get outplayed in the first half, he abandoned his trusted 4-3-3 setup in favour of a back three with wing-backs.

It brought improvement. Celtic looked sharper, more composed, and began carving out chances. Lukas Hornicek, Braga’s goalkeeper, had to make two stunning saves to keep out a Kieran Tierney header and a curling effort from Sebastian Tounekti.

Late substitutions, including Reo Hatate and James Forrest, couldn’t turn the tide. Celtic pushed but lacked the cutting edge.

Analysis: Trouble In Paradise?

Celtic were ruthless in front of goal last season — now they can’t buy one. This toothless run in Europe is damaging more than just morale; it’s casting doubt on their credentials to compete at this level.

The broader sports market will be watching closely. European competition isn’t just about pride — it’s a gateway to global exposure, broadcasting revenue, and commercial growth. A strong run could elevate the club’s brand; an early exit does the opposite.

And the timing couldn’t be worse. With the Scottish Premiership heating up and the pressure of Europe mounting, Rodgers must find solutions — fast.

What’s Next For Celtic?

Celtic return to domestic action this Sunday, hosting Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership. All eyes will be on Rodgers’ selection, tactics, and whether this squad can rediscover the spark that made them so dangerous last season.

Post Views: 282
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Champions League Top Scorers 2025-26: Mbappe, Haaland, Osimhen Lead The Golden Boot Race

Champions League Top Scorers 2025-26: The Battle For Europe’s Most Ruthless Finisher

The race for the 2025-26 Champions League Golden Boot is shaping up into another heavyweight shootout, with Europe’s most lethal forwards firing at full throttle.

Last season, the scoring chart exploded as Raphinha and Serhou Guirassy both finished with 13 goals, one of the highest tallies in modern UCL history. It was a reminder that Europe’s attackers aren’t just competing — they’re breaking barriers.

Now, the 2025-26 campaign is delivering more fireworks as big names like Kylian Mbappe, Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane battle for the crown.

Below is the updated top scorer ranking after matches played on Wednesday, November 26.

UEFA Champions League Top Goal Scorers 2025-26

Updated After Matches Played On November 26

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid 9
2 Victor Osimhen Galatasaray 6
3 Harry Kane Bayern Munich 5
=3 Erling Haaland Manchester City 5
5 Anthony Gordon Newcastle United 4
=5 Harvey Barnes Newcastle United 4
=5 Marcus Rashford Barcelona 4
=5 Gabriel Martinelli Arsenal 4
=5 Vitinha PSG 4
=5 Lautaro Martinez Inter Milan 4

At the moment, Mbappe is setting the pace with nine goals as Real Madrid push for another deep run in Europe. Right behind him is Victor Osimhen, whose red-hot form at Galatasaray has shocked the continent.

Meanwhile, serial scorers Haaland and Kane remain firmly in the race, proving yet again why they are two of the most reliable forwards in world football.

Who Won Last Season’s Champions League Golden Boot?

The 2024-25 Golden Boot ended in dramatic fashion — and with two winners.

Both Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund) and Raphinha (Barcelona) finished tied on 13 goals, with UEFA refusing to use tie-breakers such as assists or minutes played.

The result?
A shared Golden Boot, and a season remembered for its goal-scoring chaos.

Want To Advertise With Us?

📩 sales@ventolitemarketing.com

Sports Market International — one of the best sports blogs for global football, sports business, and performance analytics

Post Views: 221
Continue Reading

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Hansi Flick Defends Lamine Yamal After Chelsea Clash And Calls For Teen Star To Step Up

Lamine Yamal looking frustrated during Barcelona’s Champions League defeat to Chelsea.

Flick Backs Yamal After A Rough Night In London

Barcelona’s Champions League setback at Stamford Bridge has dominated headlines, and one storyline took center stage — Lamine Yamal vs Marc Cucurella. The 18-year-old starlet struggled to break free from Cucurella, whom Hansi Flick boldly labelled “one of the best full-backs in the world.”

Despite the tough showing and the teenager’s visible frustration when he was subbed off late in the match, Flick stepped in with both support and a challenge.

“Lamine is fine. Many players aren’t happy when we substitute them,” Flick said. “Cucurella is one of the best in the world… but now it’s Lamine’s turn to step up.”

A firm hand. A soft landing. Classic Flick.

Barcelona Need A Reaction After The Chelsea Collapse

Barca’s 3-0 loss featured an own goal from Jules Kounde and clinical finishes from Estevao and Liam Delap. The defeat leaves Barcelona sitting in the playoff zone of their group instead of the automatic qualification spots — not exactly the Blaugrana standard.

Flick admitted it was “tough” and the team was “feeling down,” but he pushed back against the idea that the defence alone should carry the blame.

Barcelona’s high line makes headlines every season, but Flick made the tactical demand crystal clear:

“It’s not just the defenders. If we don’t all press effectively, we’ll have problems.”

Translation?
If one gear misses, the whole Barca machine stutters.

Injury Updates: More Problems, Some Solutions

Ahead of the weekend clash against Alaves, Barcelona’s squad news is mixed:

❌ Ronald Araujo

Out with a stomach virus — and coming off a red card vs Chelsea.

❌ Fermin Lopez

Experiencing discomfort after the Chelsea match. Flick joked that sometimes even “new boots with new monthly colors” can cause issues.

✔️ Pedri

Expected to return in the second half.
Barcelona fans exhaled collectively.

✔️ Marc Bernal

Will get minutes after recovering from injury.

✔️ Andreas Christensen In Midfield?

Yes — Flick is seriously considering it alongside Eric Garcia.

✔️ Raphinha

Flick says he’s “one of the most focused players” and admits he has missed the Brazilian’s spark.

Spotlight: Yamal Must Answer The Call

Cucurella may have won the duel at Stamford Bridge, but Flick’s message is clear:

This is not about one bad night.
It is about how the young star responds.

Barcelona need energy, leadership, and bravery — and Flick believes Yamal can provide it.

For an 18-year-old carrying expectations this huge, the next match will be more than just another LaLiga fixture.
It’s a character exam.

Want Your Brand Seen By Thousands Of Daily Sports Readers?

Advertise with Sports Market International.
sales@ventolitemarketing.com

Where sports meets business — and your brand meets its audience.

Post Views: 54
Continue Reading

Ballon d’Or

Thomas Frank Backs Vitinha For Ballon d’Or After Spurs’ 5-3 Thriller Loss To PSG

Tottenham gave Paris Saint-Germain a real scare in Paris but ultimately fell 5-3 in a thrilling Champions League clash. Spurs twice led the defending champions, but a stunning second-half display from PSG, led by Vitinha, proved decisive.

Despite the defeat, Tottenham boss Thomas Frank praised his side’s performance, highlighting their grit, personality, and aggressiveness. “I’m pleased with the performance. It was the reaction I wanted from the players, from the team. Much more character, personality, aggressiveness… Today we saw it, and I’m pleased with that,” Frank told reporters.

Frank also reserved high praise for PSG midfielder Vitinha, who scored a hat-trick and finished third in this year’s Ballon d’Or. “When we played against a decent team where they have one Ballon d’Or winner and I think the next one is playing in midfield… Vitinha. Wow, what a player,” said Frank. “Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world. He will be the next Ballon d’Or winner.”

The match saw Tottenham showing signs of life after their 4-1 drubbing by Arsenal, with strikers scoring two goals and promising performances from Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Midfielder Gray reflected positively on the game, noting that Spurs faced “probably the best team in Europe at the moment” and that there were valuable lessons to take forward.

While Spurs now face back-to-back heavy defeats, Frank’s words underline that the team’s identity and fighting spirit remain intact. For Tottenham fans, there are positives to build on even in defeat, and lessons from facing Europe’s elite could prove invaluable.

Want to advertise with us?
Contact sales@ventolitemarketing.com to reach the best sports audience and showcase your brand.

Post Views: 66
Continue Reading

Trending