Andreas Hinkel’s Strategy for Celtic to Defeat Stuttgart in Europa League
Andreas Hinkel, former player for Celtic, shared insights on Celtic’s strategy to defeat Stuttgart in the Europa League. He noted that Stuttgart might hold a slight advantage due to playing the second leg at home. However, he pointed out that Stuttgart’s away performance in this season’s tournament has been lackluster. They have suffered three losses in four away matches, with defeats against Basel, Fenerbahce, and Roma.
Stuttgart’s Away Record
Despite their struggles, Stuttgart did secure a remarkable 4-0 victory against the Dutch team Go Ahead Eagles. Hinkel emphasized the significance of the first leg, which will take place at Celtic Park. Historically, Stuttgart has encountered difficulties in away matches, with notable defeats including a heavy 5-1 loss in Belgrade during previous European competitions.
Celtic’s Home Advantage
The atmosphere at Celtic Park could play a crucial role in this matchup. Hinkel believes that the crowd can elevate the team’s performance. He remarked, “If the crowd is there and the team gets into the rhythm, anything can happen.”
Celtic’s Recent Form
Under the leadership of Martin O’Neill, Celtic has shown resilience, consistently achieving results in challenging situations. Hinkel mentioned that recent matches often end closely, sometimes during injury time, reflecting the team’s strong mentality and determination.
Expectations for the Matches
As the two teams prepare for the Europa League clash, expectations are high for tight contests. Hinkel regards Stuttgart as a strong opponent, currently contending for Champions League qualification in Germany. However, he remains confident in Celtic’s ability to deliver under pressure.
- Stuttgart’s away record: 1 win, 3 losses this season.
- Key defeats: 5-1 loss in Belgrade.
- Celtic’s strong recent performances under O’Neill.
The upcoming matches promise to be exciting, with both teams having much at stake in their pursuit of advancement in the Europa League.
