Celtic vs Slovan Bratislava

Celtic Park sets the stage for an exciting 2024/25 Champions League opener between Celtic and Slovan Bratislava.

It’s been a while since 1966/67 European Cup winners Celtic played a prominent role at Europe’s top table. However, they enter the new Champions League season in high spirits amidst a six-game winning start to 2024/25, looking to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 2012/13. The Hoops need a victory against the weakest opposition on paper to get their league phase off and running, something they’ve failed to achieve in all 12 previous opening games of a Champions League proper (D2, L10). As if that’s not concerning enough, Brendan Rodgers’ men have claimed just one win across their last 13 home outings in the competition’s group stage (D3, L9), fueling skepticism among the Glasgow faithful ahead of Slovan Bratislava’s arrival in town.

On the other hand, visiting Slovan Bratislava will likely perceive their hosts as their best chance of taking three points in the league phase as they take this trip as Slovak Super League leaders after six rounds (W5, L1). Slovan’s promising league start should inspire confidence within the traveling camp, with the Sky Blues seeking their first victory against British opposition since dispatching Derby County 1-0 in 1975. Their record against clubs from the island has since been abysmal (D2, L7), though there’s a reason for optimism. Vladimir Weiss’ charges have only lost two of their last seven European matches in foreign lands (W4, D1 – qualifiers excluded). Slovan will hope to build on that record in their maiden appearance in the Champions League proper.