Celtic endured an evening to forget against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night (October 1), when the German giants swept the Scottish champions aside 7-1.
After a 5-1 victory two weeks prior, Brendan Rodgers' men went into Mathcday Two of this season's UEFA Champions League in second-place of the league-phase table. Only Bayern Munich placed higher following their 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb.
Losing 7-1 has, of course, taken its toll on Celtic's goal difference, however their four-goal margin from the first game somewhat softened the blow.
With all of Matchday Two's fixtures having now taken place, Celtic sit in 20th position – four places inside the new format's play-off qualification zone.
Here's how the table stands after two games:
The league phase standings after matchday 2 ⚽️ #UCL pic.twitter.com/gOXqGsaN3v
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 2, 2024
Read more:
- Celtic 'sobered' by Dortmund battering admits McGregor
- Rodgers 'proud' of Celtic players for second-half showing
From here, Celtic face Atalanta away on October 23, RB Leipzig at home on November 5, Club Brugge at home on November 27, Dinamo Zagreb away on December 10, Young Boys at home on January 22, and Aston Villa away on January 29.
As outlined above, the top eight teams after all eight games will automatically qualify for the competition's last 16 knockout, whereas those placed 9-24 will enter a play-off round in order to progress.
Those teams who finish 25th and above face elimination, with parachuting into the UEFA Europa League no longer available in this new-look Champions League league-phase format.
