Celtic’s campaign in the Women’s Champions League came to a disappointing end with a 3-0 defeat away to FC Twente on Tuesday night.
Following five successive European losses ahead of their trip to the Netherlands, Elena Sadiku’s side were searching for their first-ever points in the tournament but again came unstuck at the elite level.
A blitz of first-half goals – a result of both attacking quality and defensive error – ensured that Joran Pot’s team were comfortable in their quest for a second Group B win over Celtic.
Sadiku made four changes to the starting eleven soundly beaten 3-0 by Real Madrid last week with goalkeeper Lisa Rodgers and winger Mathilde Rodgers making their first Champions League starts.
After early set-piece pressure from Celtic, Twente ramped up their attacking threat and came close to opening the scoring in the 11th minute. Kayleigh van Dooren’s deflected effort looped onto the crossbar in the first moment of real danger.
Celtic showed teeth of their own five minutes later when Amy Gallacher found herself free in the box after a slick move involving Emma Lawton, only to see her shot smartly blocked.
With both teams already knocked out of the competition, there was an early sense of freedom to proceedings in an open, end-to-end game but the home side were more accurate in their passing combinations and took control.
Following a disallowed Danique Van Ginkel effort, Twente eventually scored through Van Dooren in the 20th minute. The Dutch international midfielder coolly slotted home from Alieke Tuin’s low left flank cross, giving Rodgers no chance.
Caitlin Hayes, often so reliable from set-pieces, had a glorious chance to get back on equal terms but couldn’t find the finish past Danielle de Jong from six yards after breaking free from markers and latching onto a searching free-kick.
The Twente dominance continued, however, and it wasn’t long before they found a two-goal cushion. Van Dooren was involved again. Her whipped corner was misjudged by Rodgers, who failed with her punched clearance and instead diverted the ball into the back of her own net.
Cruelly, there was another own goal before half-time. Natalie Ross attempted to track a back post runner from another devilishly delivered corner, this time from Tuin on the right, but the veteran bundled the ball past Rodgers.
To Celtic’s credit, despite the contest being effectively over by the interval, they didn’t let their heads drop in the second half. They continued to show ambition on the ball and energy off of it in an attempt to reduce the deficit.
Pot’s outfit enjoyed the majority of possession and, although Rodgers rarely further troubled in goal, they professionally navigated their way to a first home group stage victory.
Celtic’s six-game gauntlet in the Champions League has been bruising. Just a single goal was scored by Sadiku’s team, with 17 conceded in the six defeats.
There have been competitive spells in matches along the way, but the headline numbers don’t lie. Celtic have been outclassed and have a lot of progress to make to credibly challenge seasoned European sides.
It can’t be ignored that this is the club’s debut in the group stage of the tournament and that they’ve come up against much more established outfits. Besting Real Madrid or Chelsea was always going to be a tall order. This journey, as difficult as it has been, can only help Celtic make steps forward.
Sadiku will be quick to lean on the European run as being that learning experience, wary of letting the demoralising block of fixtures derail their domestic ambitions.
Having now bowed out of Europe, Celtic begin renewed focus on that SWPL mission this Sunday away to Spartans.
There’s little doubt that, so far, league form has suffered as a result of their midweek exertions. However, winning their two games in hand on Rangers and Glasgow City would see them stay in the hunt for another title. Achieve that and Celtic could well return to this stage next term to show any progress made.
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