Celtic’s head coach, Elena Sadiku, has issued a call to her team to exhibit “swagger” as they prepare to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League Group B encounter. The Scottish champions are set to face the Spanish giants at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano following defeats in their opening fixtures.
Acknowledging that Real Madrid will be considered the favourites, Sadiku concurs with goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty’s assessment on the approach needed for the game. The coach emphasised the importance of confidence and self-belief, highlighting Celtic’s status as the reigning champions of Scotland and their past achievements.
Reflecting on their previous match against FC Twente which ended in a 2-0 defeat, Sadiku believes that the experience gained from that game will better prepare her team for the challenges they will face in Spain. She emphasised the importance of focusing on executing their game-plan effectively to secure a positive result.
Striker Amy Gallacher expressed her excitement at the prospect of facing fellow Scotland international Caroline Weir, who has recently returned to the Madrid squad after a lengthy injury layoff. Gallacher acknowledged Weir’s abilities as a key attacking player for Real Madrid and highlighted the importance of nullifying her impact on the game to enhance Celtic’s chances of success.
Looking ahead to the match, Gallacher shared her admiration for Weir as a role model in her footballing journey, citing her playing style and accomplishments as sources of inspiration. The Celtic team will be aiming to put in a strong performance against Real Madrid and secure a positive result in their Champions League campaign.
As the anticipation builds for the clash between the two sides, Celtic will be looking to tap into their inner strength and play with the confidence and belief that their coach, Sadiku, has instilled in them. The showdown promises to be a thrilling encounter as the Scottish champions look to make their mark against the formidable opponents from Spain.