Andre Silva says RB Leipzig MUST beat Celtic to keep their hopes alive.
The Portuguese striker says they’ll need a miracle to qualify from Group F if they don’t pick up three points against the Hoops on Wednesday night. The Bundesliga outfit lost their opening two European games to Shakhtar and Real Madrid but yesterday had the perfect warm-up to the Celtic showdown with a thumping 4-0 home win over Bochum.
Silva insists they can’t afford another slip-up against Ange Postecoglou ’s side if they want to progress in the competition. With Celtic on one point after a draw with Shakhtar on match day two, the 26-year-old claims it’ll be a scrap for second spot in the section behind the Spanish giants. Silva said: “After our first two Champions League games, this is like a final for us. If we want to have a chance of qualifying, we’re obliged to beat Celtic.
“They’re a good team, very similar to us in terms of level. But they have one point and we have zero.
“So this is the moment to change how the group looks. A victory for us on Wednesday would be so important.
“This group is very strong but we haven’t shown our true level yet. In the next four matches, we need to win the two at home and then fight on our travels.
“Celtic’s draw with Shakhtar shows they’re a good team. So we’re prepared for a difficult game. We need our supporters and a big atmosphere because our European future depends on this match.
“If we go into the last three games with zero or one point, we’ll need a miracle to continue in the Champions League. Real Madrid are strong but there is a battle for second place. The chances are open for Shakhtar, Celtic and ourselves.
“But we have to win our home games to have a chance. We’ve had physical problems in our squad which have damaged performances so far this season.
“But we have the character and quality to fix this situation.”
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