UEFA Women’s Champions League – Round 1, Group 3 Final – FC Gintra v Celtic Preview | OneFootball

Celtic FC Women take on FC Gintra tomorrow afternoon in the Round One final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League…

A victory against our opponent, whose ground the game is being played at, would see us through to another round of qualifiers, playing a home and away leg.

We progressed from the first round on Wednesday despite going a goal down early on. Super sub Saoirse Noonan came off the bench, equalised to send it to extra time, before netting two more after the ET to win it for the Celts. What a sensational hat-trick! You can watch the highlights below.

FC Gintra thrashed Anenii Noi 5-0 in their first qualifier to secure their place in the final. They also top their domestic league with 29 points after 12 games. However if you watch the highlights to both games then you’ll notice that Anenii Noi looked a very poor side indeed.

Last season, Fran Alonso’s Celtic side had victory in their sights, making it to the final of Round One for the first time in the history of the club after a Kelly Clark goal in the first game. The Hoops went out on penalties that night, and will be looking to avoid a repeat of that fate.

Elena Sadiku spoke to the media, including The Celtic Star, before the game. She said: “I think we’re in a good place. Confident. Excited. Happy.

“I just think that for me, the final message is go all in. If we look at the opposition we have, with all respect, I’m more confident in my players than the opposition. I’m very confident and looking forward to the challenge tomorrow.

“They saw our game and I know that they’re going to fear us a little bit. The mentality for them is that they are the underdogs. They’re putting the pressure on us. I know that they’re going to make sure they give us the hardest challenge they can give us. There are some technical players in that team that can do threats, but overall, I think the quality of my team is higher.

“I was very satisfied [with the impact that the players made off the bench]. I feel like I’ve said it enough and I keep saying it but the players that come in and make that big of an impact in the game, and that have that quality and energy says everything about our squad this season.”

Celtic Team News

We found out today that Chloe Craig has suffered a ruptured ACL that will see her out for quite some time. There were concerns when she was left out of the travelling squad and now we know the reason. Speedy recovery Craigy! Luana Muñoz and Chloe Logan are also out injured.

Both Saoirse Noonan and Kit Loferski made a major impact for Celtic in midweek and should be rewarded by getting a starting slot against FC Gintra.

Player’s View from Caitlin Hayes

Caitlin Hayes spoke to the media as well and spoke to The Celtic Star about the incredible band of Celtic supporters who have travelled to back the team in these Champions League matches, meaning the team Never Walk Alone.

Caitlin said: “It’s a massive opportunity. We’ve never quite got out of this section of the Champions League so there’s always that. We all went down as a team to watch the first half [of the FC Gintra game]and like Elena says, there will be respect there but there will be no fear. We know what we bring to this group and we know what we bring moving forward into hopefully the next stages.

“This is the first test and like I said, we respect all but fear none when it comes to what this team can do and where we can take ourselves throughout this competition.

“There’s no competition like the Champions League. It’s something that every little boy and girl grows up and dreams to play in. It’s a competition like no other and it’s a competition that the men’s side have done very well in the past, obviously the star sits above the crest. That’s just something the women’s side wants to emulate. It’s something the women’s side strives to also gain success for the overall club in general and I think we have an opportunity this year and so far, it’s an opportunity we’ve taken and we’ll take it on Saturday and see where we end up.

“[The fans] epitomise what the club is all about. They travel near and far and they’re always heard. I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it but they wear the badge unapologetically and are proud of it no matter where we fly to. We’ve bumped into them in the streets and they’ve got their green and white hoops on and it’s something that makes somewhere so far away from home feel like home. That’s because of them and ultimately, the fight comes for them and for the club’s success. I can’t speak highly enough of them all. They’re all incredible and like I said, we feel their support and it pushes us over the line when the game isn’t going our way necessarily. They’re loved by us.

“It holds challenges [having the Champions League games so early in the season]. There’s part of this group that are still getting to know each other and obviously, we have the momentum but momentum comes with progression each game. There’s areas always to improve ultimately, but we just keep getting better and better.

“We work on what we don’t do well at but we can only play who’s in front of us and only play as well as the stage we’re at and thankfully, we’re doing as well as we are. There’s definitely room to improve and we’ll do that moving forward as we move on to different challenges. We’re focusing on progression and enjoying the moments.”

UWCL Match Officials

Merima Čelik is the referee for this fixture. She will be assisted by Tamara Došen and Melissa Lejear. Jana Van Laere has been named as the fourth official.

FC Gintra vs Celtic FC Women Kick-off Time

FC Gintra vs Celtic FC Women kicks off at 4:00pm Celtic Park Time as the Ghirls look to progress to the next round.

Where to Watch FC Gintra vs Celtic FC Women

This match will be shown on PPV. You can purchase it here for £8.99. This has proved to be a controversial decision by the club to charge or PPV but the team is attempting to be self sufficient and the revenue from the PPV will help cover the costs of the trip to Lithuania to participate in the Champions League.

Score Predictions

I predict a 2-1 victory for Celtic while our Editor, who correctly called a 3-1 Celtic win in midweek, has had a look at FC Gintra and is confident that with both Saoirse Noonan and Kit Loferski starting, Celtic will be way too strong for the Lithuanian side and will run out comfortable 4-0 winners. Now that’s a prediction!

My view is that the game is being played at Gintra’s home ground and so advantage is in their favour, and with their 5-0 victory in the first game, you can’t rule out them scoring. I don’t see us not progressing though.  Elena Sadiku and the Ghirls seem confident and look the more likely winners. Fingers crossed!

The vibe at the two semi-final games on Wednesday

Remember, the game kicks off at 4pm Celtic Park Time on Saturday afternoon.

COYGIG!

Jessica Elliott

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