Celtic’s Strategy to Defeat Stuttgart in the Europa League

Navigating a Challenging Season

Celtic has faced ups and downs this season, yet they’ve successfully reached the Europa League knockout phase play-off. On Thursday, they are set to confront a formidable Stuttgart team competing for Champions League qualification in the Bundesliga.

Andreas Hinkel, a former defender for both clubs and now offering insights from his coaching experience, predicts two closely contested matches. The big question remains: how can Celtic secure a significant victory?

Disrupting Stuttgart’s Rhythm

To gain an advantage, upsetting Stuttgart’s game flow could be crucial. Hinkel describes the German team’s penchant for control: “Stuttgart often aims to dominate possession, making it tough to press them effectively. Their manager, Sebastian Hoeness, prioritizes controlling the game, which will be vital at Celtic Park.”

He emphasizes, “Celtic must press effectively and disrupt Stuttgart’s game plan. If they can inject energy into the match with the crowd behind them, they could create significant opportunities.”

Stuttgart’s abilities are highlighted by their performance in the league phase, finishing just one point shy of the top eight teams that advanced directly to the round of 16.

Individual Threats within a Solid Team

Stuttgart boasts a robust collective, but Celtic will need to keep an eye on specific players. Hinkel points out that while he doesn’t want to focus on a single individual, striker Deniz Undav is currently in excellent form. He mentions other players like Jamie Leweling and Chris Fuhrich, who are motivated to showcase their talents as they aspire to represent the German national team.

Starting Strong to Defy Expectations

Hinkel believes Stuttgart may have a slight edge due to their home advantage in the second leg. However, Celtic might find encouragement in Stuttgart’s shaky away record during this competition, having lost three out of four away matches.

Not only have they struggled, but they also faced heavy defeats in some situations, such as a notable 5-1 loss in Belgrade. “The first leg is crucial; Celtic Park can produce unpredictable outcomes if the atmosphere lifts the team and propels them into a strong rhythm,” Hinkel adds.

Stuttgart is a quality team fighting for Champions League positions, yet Celtic has been resilient since Martin O’Neill’s return, managing to clinch results even in challenging scenarios. Their ability to win tight matches shows promise as they prepare for this highly anticipated face-off.