In a nail-biting encounter, Celtic’s European aspirations were dashed in the most agonizing fashion possible as Ciro Immobile, Lazio’s supersub, struck twice in the dying minutes to deny the Scottish team a hard-fought draw.
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic needed nothing less than a victory to keep their hopes alive in the Champions League or secure a consolation Europa League spot. Despite displaying resilience in the heart of Rome, opportunities were scarce for the Scottish Premiership side.
The Serie A outfit, Lazio, had an equally exasperating evening but found solace in the brilliance of Ciro Immobile. The Italian striker first deflected a Gustav Isaksen cross into the net past a helpless Joe Hart in the 82nd minute. Then, just three minutes later, he seized on a misjudgment by Liam Scales, slalomed past Cameron Carter-Vickers, and calmly slotted in a second goal.
This victory propelled Lazio to the top of Group E, sitting two points ahead of Atletico Madrid, who were set to face Feyenoord later on Tuesday. However, for Celtic, their upcoming clash with the Dutch team in Glasgow will be their final European outing this season.
As they reflect on their campaign, Celtic will lament red cards and lapses in concentration that undermined their efforts. While they avoided the former in Rome, the latter continued to haunt them. Promising scenarios too often fizzled out due to sloppy passes or moments of indecision.
Their brightest moments came early in the second half, with Kyogo Furuhashi narrowly missing the target and Yang Hyun-jun inexplicably heading away from goal when a shot on target seemed more promising.
Nevertheless, even a late penalty award, which could have offered a glimmer of consolation, was overturned. Lazio, struggling in domestic competition, mirrored Celtic’s sloppiness for much of the match. However, their attacking prowess in the final third proved the difference.
Players like Felipe Anderson, Taty Castellanos, Gustav Isaksen, and Luis Alberto squandered excellent chances before Immobile stepped up to show them how it’s done with his late heroics.
Ciro Immobile, undoubtedly the star of the match, once again demonstrated that Lazio with him in the lineup are a formidable force. His goals were more painful for Celtic than any others he’s scored against them in the past.
In summary, Lazio’s performance was far from perfect, and Celtic had opportunities to secure a draw or even a win to extend their European campaign. However, it was late lapses that cost them dearly. Brendan Rodgers’ Champions League record with Celtic now stands at 23 games played, four wins, and 11 losses in their last 14 appearances in the competition. While this season’s European journey has come to an end, there’s hope for a stronger showing in the future.
Match Stats:
- Celtic has been eliminated from the Champions League group stage for the second consecutive season.
- Lazio has won back-to-back Champions League matches for the first time since October 2001.
- Celtic has failed to win any of their last 15 matches in the Champions League.
- Ciro Immobile has scored eight goals in his last 10 Champions League matches.
- Celtic has lost all seven of their away matches against Italian sides in the Champions League.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers lamented the late goals, stating, “This group has gained more experience and shown they can compete in some games – but we need to add quality. That’s the glaring thing that stands out.”
As for what’s next, Celtic will host Feyenoord in their final Champions League game, but first, they face St Johnstone in a domestic clash.
In conclusion, it was a night of heartbreak for Celtic as Immobile’s late heroics sent Lazio soaring while Celtic’s European journey ended on a bitter note.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Immobile’s Heroics
Q: What were Celtic’s hopes in the Champions League before this match?
A: Celtic needed a victory in this match to keep their hopes alive in the Champions League or secure a spot in the Europa League.
Q: How did Ciro Immobile make an impact in this match?
A: Ciro Immobile, Lazio’s star striker, scored two late goals, including a deflected effort and a precise finish, to secure victory for Lazio and end Celtic’s European campaign.
Q: What were some of the key moments in the match for Celtic?
A: Celtic had promising moments, including Kyogo Furuhashi’s near miss and Yang Hyun-jun’s headed attempt. However, they were unable to capitalize on these chances.
Q: What are the match statistics that stand out?
A: Celtic has been eliminated from the Champions League group stage for the second consecutive season. Lazio won back-to-back Champions League matches for the first time in nearly two decades. Ciro Immobile continued his impressive Champions League goal-scoring streak.
Q: What does Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s manager, say about the team’s performance?
A: Brendan Rodgers mentioned that the team needs to add quality to compete at this level despite gaining valuable experience in the competition.
Q: What’s next for Celtic in European competition?
A: Celtic’s final European game this term will be against Feyenoord, but they will first face St Johnstone in a domestic match.
Q: How would you summarize the impact of Ciro Immobile in this match?
A: Ciro Immobile’s late goals were the decisive factor, showcasing his importance to Lazio and proving to be particularly painful for Celtic.
More about Immobile’s Heroics
- Lazio 2-0 Celtic Match Report – Detailed match report and analysis from BBC Sport.
- Ciro Immobile’s Player Profile – UEFA’s official profile of Ciro Immobile with statistics and career highlights.
- Celtic’s Official Website – For official news and updates on Celtic FC.
- Champions League Official Website – The official website of the UEFA Champions League for comprehensive coverage of the tournament.
- Brendan Rodgers’ Coaching Career – BBC Sport’s overview of Brendan Rodgers’ coaching career and achievements.
