RB Leipzig 2-0 Celtic: Europa League defeat for Brendan Rodgers' side

PT KONTAK PERKASA FUTURES - Celtic's Europa League hopes suffered a setback as they were beaten 2-0 by RB Leipzig on Thursday.

PT KONTAK PERKASA FUTURES - Missing several first-team players, including captain Scott Brown, Celtic started positively at the Red Bull Arena and Odsonne Edouard spurned a decent early chance.

PT KONTAK PERKASA FUTURES - However, Leipzig seized control of the game when Matheus Cunha finished in the 31st minute and then Bruma added a second shortly afterwards.

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RB Leipzig: Mvogo (6), Saracchi (7), Orban (6), Upamecano (7), Klostermann (6), Sabitzer (6), Laimer (6), Kampl (7), Bruma (7), Cunha (7), Augustin (6) Subs: Ilsanker (5), Majetschak (5), Poulsen (5) Celtic: Gordon (6), Simunovic (5), Gamboa (5), Boyata (5), Tierney (5), Morgan (6), Ntcham (6), McGregor (5), Kouassi (6), Christie (6), Edouard (5) Subs: Lustig (5), Sinclair (5), Hendry (5) Man of the match: Kevin Kampl

Celtic could not respond to the quickfire double - managing just one shot on target all match - and now surely must avoid defeat against Leipzig in the return fixture in a fortnight to have a chance of qualifying from Group C.

Before that, Celtic face Hearts in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup on Sunday.

It remains to be seen how many of Celtic's injured players will return for that match, but Brendan Rodgers' depleted side made an encouraging start against Leipzig and could have taken the lead in the eighth minute when Edouard controlled in the box and shot just wide of the post.

The visitors enjoyed some good possession and limited Leipzig's threat on goal until the half-hour mark.

However, after Cunha blazed over from inside the area, the Brazilian took advantage of some slack defending to break the deadlock - finishing past Craig Gordon after Eboue Kouassi and Dedryck Boyata both missed a cross.

Bruma added a second in the 35th minute, firing past Gordon after Marcelo Saracchi's cross deflected into his path.

Gordon then saved from Cunha as Leipzig threatened a third.

Source : skysports.com