Feyenoord v Celtic preview: Rodgers back with the Bhoys
Celtic are the visitors to Rotterdam, the same opponents Feyenoord defeated in the 1970 European Cup final. Boss Arne Slot may look to lean on the emotional significance of the occasion, even though that game predates his birth by eight years!
Slot has certainly got his players in the groove so far this season with Feyenoord undefeated in their five league matches (W3, D2), winning three on the spin heading into this clash.
Each of those victories were accompanied by 5+ goals, just the second time they’ve ever netted five or more in three successive league games, so they’ll certainly fancy their chances of making a positive start in Group E.
Celtic also enter the UCL in fine form, making an unbeaten start to the Scottish Premiership season (W4, D1) and leading the way after five rounds. A routine 3-0 win over Dundee saw the Hoops held scoreless for 50 minutes, leaving Brendan Rodgers satisfied with his side’s “patience” en route to victory.
Europe should be a much bigger challenge for Rodgers, who has a miserable record as Celtic boss in the UCL proper (W1, D3, L8).
His previous two group stage campaigns at the helm saw them concede 34 goals, an area they’ll certainly have to improve on if they’re to progress to the knockouts for the first time since 2012/13.
Drawn into a group that also includes Lazio and Atlético Madrid, this matchup will be crucial in determining if either side can upset the odds and progress out of the group.
Players to watch: Feyenoord winger Igor Paixão has been impressive this season, directly contributing to four goals in five league matches (G2, A2), with both goals arriving inside the opening 20 minutes. Opposite number Kyogo Furuhashi also likes to make his impact early, with three of his four goals this term arriving before half-time.
Hot stat: Before defeating Napoli in their last UCL match, Feyenoord had lost 12 successive games in this competition.
