Celtic win opening UEFA Youth League game emphatically against visiting Slovan Bratislava

The Hoops triumphed in a strong start to their UEFA Youth League campaign, comfortably securing a win over Slovan Bratislava.

Goals came from Daniel Cumming who bagged two as the striker’s positive form continued, as well as Francis Turely and Samuel Isiguzo getting on the scoresheet.

Both sides, having previously had up-and-down results in the UEFA Youth League, wanted a strong beginning to the newly structured tournament, and Celtic did just that.

The sun beamed down on Lesser Hampden, known as The City Stadium (Home of Queens Park), for a much-anticipated meeting at two o’clock on Wednesday.

The first five minutes were a case of both teams sizing each other up. Slovan Bratislava were extremely organised in their two banks of four trying to keep the Celtic attack at bay.

Bratislava’s  Alexej Maros gave the Celts a scare as he reacted sharply latching onto a loose ball at the edge of the box. Creating a one-on-one opportunity he was closely denied as Celtic Goalkeeper Aidan Rice was quick to make himself big.

Shortly after the opportunity for Bratislava to come out on top Celtic scored at minute nine in emphatic style. A quick combination from the midfielders created space on the right flank and Turley struck a firm pass across goal which Celtic’s Daniel Cummings netted confidently at point-blank range.

From the early breakthrough, Celtic were breeding confidence. A lovely floated ball over the top of the Bratislava defence caught them off guard as Turley found himself in an isolated area with Balog to face and the Slovakian keeper held his own strongly saving with his feet to tip the shot by the post.

Bratislava stayed organised and hard to play through as well as pressing high up the pitch when they could to try and squeeze Celtic, however, the left-hand side of Mitchel Frame and Thomas Hatton were difficult to contain as they two constantly linked together to open up their defence.

A lack of concentration at the back for Celtic led to Bratislava’s creative number ten Samuel Murar to nip in front of Lenny Agbaire who recovered well for his side clearing his lines to keep the danger clear.

The waves of attack kept on coming for Celtic. An intricate pass that broke through the lines of the Slovan Bratislava defence from Jude Bonnar found their talisman Cummings who calmly slipped a one-touch finish past Balog making it 2-0 in 23 minutes.

Slovan Bratislava never gave up in the first half. Winger Maros continued to try to create and cut back a lovely ball after going by two Celtic defenders but it was cut out before it could find Murar in the box.

The game began to settle after the two goals as Celtic became comfortable and enjoyed having the ball. For Bratislava, their very organised set-up stayed the same and continued to pounce high when there were any opportunities to break through.

Just before the half came to an end the first yellow card of the match was handed to Celtic midfielder Kyle Ure after fouling Sebastian Fronko. It was an attempt to win the ball in a sliding 50/50 but it was deemed dangerous by Danish referee Jacob Karlsen.

Half-Time: Celtic 2-0 SK Slovan Bratislava

And Celtic didn’t stop there. Straight from the half commencing a cutting-edge pass from Ure to break through the Bratislava midfield found Turley. The winger took a calm touch outside the box finding himself a half-yard cutting in and refiling a right-footed strike past Balog into the bottom left corner from range. A goal that displayed pure quality in the 46th minute.

Frustration took over Bratislava’s Simon Held who was booked for an uncontrolled challenge making it two yellows in the UEFA Youth League encounter.

Confidence was expressed in Celtic’s style of play as the ball was found wide to right back Josh Dede his low whip across the box was narrowly missed by a sliding Thomas Hatton who attempted to stab in a fourth.

Bratislava were holding on and defending their box extremely well to prevent a larger deficit. Substitute Peter Holocsy took matters into his own hands as he danced by Celtic’s midfield in an elegant manner covering a large distance and finding himself in a good area, but his effort went just over the bar.

Slovan Bratislava continued to fight on attempting to create and find an opportunity working hard to press and stay in their organised structure.

With five minutes to go Celtic substitutes Aiden Haddow and Samuel Isiguzo took advantage down the right-hand side as Isiguzo played a lovely weighted pass wide to Haddow whose pinpoint cross found the run of his fellow teammate who knocked a bullet header home to wrap things up at Lesser Hampden and make it 4-0.

Full-Time: Celtic FC 4-0 SK Slovan Bratislava

Celtic Player of the Match: Thomas Hatton

Hatton was always being creative and direct as a winger putting the full-back under pressure to create chances.

Slovan Bratislava Player of the Match: Maximillian Marko

Even though the game was tough for his side, the captain continued to try to be inventive and positive to claw back goals and showed great attitude in doing so.

Celtic Magic Moment:

Francis Turley’s goal for its technique and execution was of sheer quality and ruthlessness showing great talent.

Slovan Bratislava Magic Moment:

Alexej Maros dribbled past the Celtic defenders in the first half to create a good opportunity for his teammate he showed great speed and imagination to get his team an opportunity.