Sports
Weir ‘impossible to stop’ as Celtic cling to positives
Weir’s goal set the tone for what turned out to be a difficult evening for Elena Sadiku’s Celtic side, as they continued in their first ever Champions League group campaign.
It’s now no points and no goals after opening with a home defeat by Dutch champions FC Twente, and this sore one in Madrid.
There was no doubt Real were the dominant side and probably should have made more of their chances early on, but Celtic battled until the final quarter when the dam broke and the hosts added three late goals.
Sadiku though, insisted 2-0 would have been a fairer reflection of the game.
“I think how we played football was amazing against a team like Real Madrid,” the Swede said.
“I’m very proud of the team. First half, we defended well and had energy from the girls.
“Second half, we created chances and that could’ve changed the game. We need to be executing those better.”
“For me, how we played football and how we attacked shows what I want with this team.”
Crichton agreed Celtic’s performance was an improvement on the defeat by Twente, where the Scottish champions struggled to create chances.
And, had Murphy Agnew and Emma Lawton made more of their opportunities, things might have been different.
“In my opinion it’s really harsh,” the former Scotland defender said of the scoreline.
“When you go up against top sides you expect to be without the ball and your goalkeeper to be worked and to have to put bodies on the line.
“When you look at Real’s 31 shots and 14 on target, they were lucky if a quarter of them tested [goalkeeper]Kelsey Daugherty.
“Celtic can keep their heads high and hopefully they will dust themselves down and give a better account of themselves against Chelsea.
“The Celtic manager said they were better equipped after the Twente game, and watching them for the 93 minutes I would agree.”