Ange Postecoglou praised after historic Champions League night
Ange Postecoglou has become the first Australian coach to manage a team in the Champions League group stage after a historic match at Celtic Park against Real Madrid.
The Aussie has been receiving plaudits from all over the football world after leading Celtic to six wins from six games in the domestic league.
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Postecoglou helped Celtic earn Champions League qualification for the first time in five years and they opened the group stage account against title holders Real Madrid.
Despite Postecoglou making history for Australian football, Celtic were unable to hold off the 14-time CL winners after falling 3-0 at home.
The Scottish giants' fan base created an electric atmosphere as they watched on as Celtic squandered a number of first half chances.
Madrid came out in the second half a different team and were clinical with Vinicius Jnr, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard cementing the Spanish outfit's spot as the groups favourites.
Postecoglou said his team will learn from the defeat after their first major European night in years.
Ancelotti: "We suffered like I expected to suffer. Because, here at Celtic Park, you suffer. Against this team, you suffer."
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) September 6, 2022
"You know at this level you're not going to dominate the whole game, you get a certain amount of opportunities to punish the opposition," Postecolgou said after the game.
"Unless you experience it, it's probably the hardest way to learn but the best way to learn."
Celtic fans praise Ange Postecoglou after amazing night
Despite a tough loss, Celtic fans were full of praise for Postecolgou.
The Australian has implemented a fast-paced possession game plan for the Scottish Giants, which will bode well for Champions League group stage progression.
Celtic outclassed in the second half but take yourself back a year and it’s a team and a club who have made so much progress under Ange Postecoglou. Real Madrid were ruthless that’s the difference at this level🍀
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) September 6, 2022
Celtic can be immensely proud of their first half display. Real showed their class in the second. Ange Postecoglou’s name rings around the ground despite the 3-0 result at full time. We should take great confidence and learn lessons from a game against the European champs. pic.twitter.com/hleYbJ06Rz
— Craig (@CraigCelt) September 6, 2022
Head to head with the european champions, players gave their all for the support and the manager, overall pleased with the performance and proud of how far we’ve come, the ange postecoglou revolution✊🏼 pic.twitter.com/QzIpmzbCBv
— dylan (@DG7__2) September 6, 2022
Big nights are back! Went toe to toe with one of the best teams on the planet and just came up short! Ange Postecoglou has transformed this team! What a man! 💚 pic.twitter.com/WyTQyqHjbC
— Aaron Connolly (@aconnolly91) September 6, 2022
Goosebumps at the end there.
The appreciation and respect the support showed Ange and the players. We can all see the progress and efforts. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/pLWFkDtL8w— Ronnie Postecoglou (@RonnieJM67) September 6, 2022
Class act 👏👏👏
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 6, 2022
Ancelotti was also full of praise for Celtic and their style after the match.
"We suffered like I expected to suffer. Because here, at Celtic Park, you suffer," the Real Madrid coach said.
"Against this team, you suffer."
In other games, Dinamo Zagreb claimed a shock victory over Chelsea as they beat the 2021 European champions 1-0 at home thanks to a blistering solo run from Croatian forward Mislav Orsic.
In the other early game in this season's opening round Australia's Maty Ryan was beaten three times as Borussia Dortmund eased to a comfortable home victory over his Copenhagen side.
In Germany Marco Reus put Dortmund ahead in front of 81,000 in the 35th minute (UEFA having allowed 25,000 standing spectators as a trial). Ryan got a hand to the shot but he was well beaten by the other two goals, scored by Raphael Guerreiro just before the break and Jude Bellingham seven minutes from time.
Copenhagen captain Zeca hit the post after 20 seconds and the visitors had a consolation narrowly chalked off for offside late on, but after the early scare Dortmund were always in control.
However, for all their approach work their finishing was poor and Ryan only made one save.
with AAP
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