Celtic without Kyogo Furuhashi face an uphill battle when Bayer Leverkusen and Moussa Diaby travel to Glasgow in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday (kick-off: 9 p.m. CEST).
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Leverkusen made a good start to the Bundesliga campaign under Gerardo Seoane. They have won four of their six league games, losing only to a Borussia Dortmund inspired by Erling Haaland, and sit second in the table. Although Leon Bailey left the club for England this summer, Diaby more than took on the additional responsibility on the wing with three goals and an assist. Patrik Schick continued his form of top scorer at UEFA Euro 2020, while teenager Florian Wirtz has followed up all-time performances. The 18-year-old became the youngest player to reach 10 Bundesliga goals as Leverkusen defeated stubborn Mainz on Saturday. The Germany international also scored the game-winning goal as Bayer came from behind to beat Ferencvaros in their Europa League opener, and have now found the net in five competitive matches on the spin. Given Die myselfPerformance levels of, roughly rotation are unlikely, although Paulinho is an option for winger Karim Bellarabi.
Celtic’s form is not a patch on Leverkusen’s. The Hoops were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee United over the weekend, dropping points for the fourth time in seven Scottish Premiership assignments so far this season – inconsistencies that extend to the continental scene. Last season’s domestic finalists, the Glasgow side lost their UEFA Champions League qualifier to FC Midtjylland, before edging out Jablonec and AZ Alkmaar on their way to the group stage of the Europa League. Despite a 2-0 lead over Group G rivals Real Betis, Ange Postecoglou’s side succumbed to a 4-3 defeat – their sixth in the 2021/22 competitive campaign. The continued absence of Japanese international winger Furuhashi does little to boost their hopes for a positive result against Leverkusen, while left-back Greg Taylor recently joined a long list of injury absentees.
To concern: Wirtz was the winner of Leverkusen’s match against Mainz
Match statistics
- Schick scored both goals, including the tournament-winning goal, as the Czech Republic beat Scotland 2-0 in their first Euro 2020 game in Hampden. He has since struck four times in eight outings for Leverkusen.
- Wirtz has scored five goals and as many assists in six competitive appearances so far this season.
- Jeremie Frimpong made 51 appearances in all competitions for Celtic before moving to Leverkusen in January.
- Leverkusen beat rivals Celtic Glasgow Rangers 4-1 overall in the 2019/20 Europa League round of 16.
- Die myself holds the all-time away record in the group stage of the Europa League (V7, D2, L3).
- Celtic have lost 15 of 24 matches with the German opposition (W4, D5).
Possible alignments
Celtic: Hart (c) – Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Bolingoli – Rogic, McCarthy, Turnbull – Abada, Ajeti, Jota
Outside: Dembele (knee), Forrest (hamstrings), Furuhashi (knee), Giakoumakis (calf), Johnston (hamstrings), Jullien (knee)
Doubtful: Juranovic (kick), McGregor (hamstrings), Taylor (shoulder)
Coach: Angel Postecoglou
Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) – Frimpong, Tah, Hincapie, Bakker – Aranguiz, Demirbay – Diaby, Wirtz, Paulinho – Schick
Outside: Baumgartlinger (knee), Fosu-Mensah (knee), Palacios (ankle), Tapsoba (ankle)
Doubtful: Kossounou (thigh)
Coach: Gerardo Seoane
