Sadiku’s swagger message to Celts in Madrid – “Respect them, yes, but fear no-one” | OneFootball

Elena Sadiku insists her players should not fear Real Madrid as they face the Galacticos Femeninos in tonight’s UEFA Women’s Champions League match in the Spanish capital…

Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium in Madrid where Celtic will play Real Madrid in the UWCL this evening. Kick-off 5.45pm CPT. Photo Celtic FC Women

A disappointing result on Sunday

Following a winless run of three matches, Celtic will be looking to pull off a huge shock in Madrid as they battle it out with Liga F runners up at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

Meanwhile, a disappointing 1-0 defeat in the league to Hearts on Sunday leaves Celtic six points off theRangers who are at the  top of the table Sadiku’s side are currently fifth in SWPL but have a game in hand and an upcoming Glasgow Derby against theRangers. The SWPL1 is certainly more entertaining and competitive with five sides all eyeing mounting a realistic challenge this season.

Celtic FC Women make history this evening

Tonight’s clash with Real Madrid will be Celtic FC Women’s inaugural fixture on the continent in the UWCL Group Stages, where Celtic are one of 16 elites clubs from across the continent competing. There are English clubs complaining about missing out on the Champions League and moaning about Celtic being in the group stages. Fact is Celtic qualified, they didn’t, end of story.

READ THIS…Real Madrid v Celtic – No fear Ghirls, play with a swagger and a little ‘gallusness’

Gulf in class not as big as some thought

Celtic were beaten 2-0 by Dutch Champions FC Twente in their opening game at New Douglas Park last week, in a match that the opening goal was going to be decisive. The Dutch deserved their win in the end but the gulf between the sides wasn’t a wide as many thought.

Likewise, Real Madrid will be looking to pick up their first three points in the competition having lost 3-2 to WSL champions Chelsea in their opening Champions League match.

Real Madrid’s a tough opponent

Celtic”s opponents are two points off league leaders Barcelona after six games in their domestic league. Last season, Alberto Torli’s side finished a whopping 15 points behind title-winners Barcelona, who seem to be a class apart.

Amongst the Real Madrid stars is Scotland international Caroline Weir who has just returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury which sidelined her for a year.

Celtic FC Women v FC Twenty. UEFA Women’s Champions League, New Douglas Park, Hamilton on 8 October 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

‘We need to show some swagger’

Celtic’s astute Swedish manager Elena Sadiku is looking forward to matching-up against the best in Europe’s elite club competition, “it was Kelsey [Daugherty] who said that we need to show some swagger. I don’t know if it’s a Scottish word, but I think that we need to come with confidence as well because we are the champions of Scotland, we’ve done something really great.

“Obviously, if you look away from the result this weekend, I think we’ve been doing well domestically. We need to know that we’re a great team and that’s something I want to see tomorrow.”

Sadiku insists despite competing against a top opponent, her team are in the competition for a reason and should not fear anybody.

“Yesterday we had a meeting talking about the gameplan, and talking about what we want to do in the game. For me, the most important message to the Ghirls was, seriously the badge is huge, we know what Real Madrid stands for, we know the experience they have had in the group stage, but for us we need to go into the game and try to do our very best to get points and think about how we can win it. Our gameplan is to respect them, yes, but fear no-one.”

Best of luck to Elena and the Ghirls this evening. COYGIG!

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. ORDER NOW!

More Stories / Latest News

Sadiku’s swagger message to Celts in Madrid – “Respect them, yes, but fear no-one”

Oct 17 2024, 12:55

Goldilocks and the Three Bears – “They couldnae even beat us in court,” Macca

Oct 17 2024, 11:11

Real Madrid v Celtic – No fear Ghirls, play with a swagger and a little ‘gallusness’

Oct 17 2024, 9:31