RODGERS SAYS BHOYS WILL BE AT THEIR BEST
BRENDAN RODGERS says his Celtic players are fully aware they need a result against Atletico Madrid tonight to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
The Spaniards denied the Bhoys a decade-long wait for a home group win last time out.
And while the daunting task of taking on Diego Simeone’s side at the Metropolitano leaves the Group E challenge looking considerably harder, Rodgers (above, with the Atletico boss) said: “We’ve played well in the three games and, as each game has gone on, the level of performance has been better.
“We haven’t had the breaks that we probably wanted from the games, but in terms of performance level – in particular the last game – we’ve been very, very good.
“But we’re under no illusions. We understand we’re coming to a fantastic stadium to play against a really good team. We’re really excited by that challenge. “We’re not daft either – we know this is a game we want to get a positive result in to take into the final two games.” In the other Group E clash, third-placed LAZIO are aiming for revenge over FEYENOORD after being beaten 3-1 in Holland.
Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri (circled) said: “It will be a very important match for the balance of the group. Feyenoord have changed a lot from last year, and they are stronger.”
AC MILAN keeper Mike Maignan is demanding perfection in their final three games, starting against Group F leaders PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN at the San Siro.
PSG top the ‘group of death’ despite being thumped at Newcastle 4-1, while AC Milan are bottom after failing to register a win.
The Italians were outclassed 3-0 in Paris, but France star Maignan said “PSG are a great team but so are we. We can still qualify, but we have to be perfect in the next three matches.”
With holders Manchester City running away with Group G, RED STAR BELGRADE need a win to keep the pressure on second-placed RB LEIPZIG.
BARCELONA are bossing Group H having picked up maximum points from their first three games. They can seal a last-16 spot but were pushed hard in their first meeting by SHAKHTAR DONETSK in the Catalan capital before holding on for a 2-1 win.