LASK overturns four-goal deficit against Celtic to reach Champions League league phase
Austrian champion LASK defeated Celtic 5-1 after extra time in Linz on Tuesday, overturning a 4-0 aggregate deficit to qualify for the Champions League league stage for the first time.
Collapse in Linz
Celtic entered the second leg at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg in Glasgow, where Camilo Duran had scored twice. The Scottish champions extended their aggregate lead to 4-0 in the 21st minute when Callum McGregor scored with a deflected shot. However, the Austrian champions responded before the interval when Moses Usor seized on a misplaced pass by Benjamin Nygren in the 32nd minute. Celtic conceded again three minutes into the second half as Robert Ljubicic scored from distance to reduce the aggregate margin to 4-2. Samuel Adeniran added a third for LASK in the 58th minute from outside the penalty area, putting the hosts within one goal of leveling the tie.
- Callum McGregor opens the scoring for Celtic to make it 4-0 on aggregate.
- Moses Usor equalises on the night for LASK following a defensive turnover.
- Robert Ljubicic scores from outside the penalty area to put LASK ahead 2-1 on the night.
- Samuel Adeniran scores LASK's third goal from distance to make the aggregate score 4-3.
- Florian Flecker scores from close range following a VAR check to level the tie 4-4 on aggregate.
- Samuel Adeniran scores his second goal to give LASK a 5-4 lead on aggregate.
- Viljami Sinisalo saves a penalty kick taken by Samuel Adeniran.
Extra-time decider
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill made five substitutions across a 12-minute span in an attempt to stabilize his team, but the visitors failed to record a shot on target throughout the second half and extra time. In the 90th minute, substitute Florian Flecker scored from close range following a video assistant referee review to make it 4-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate. LASK generated persistent pressure throughout the match, finishing the contest with 40 total shots and an expected goals value of 4.91. Adeniran sealed the qualification in the 109th minute by converting his second goal of the match to put LASK ahead 5-4 on aggregate. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo saved a penalty from Adeniran in the 115th minute, but Celtic could not mount an attack before the final whistle.
After scoring twice to send his team into the competition, Adeniran reflected on the achievement.
A dream has come true. We never give up. No matter what setbacks we have to take. I am so speechless, it is a wonderful feeling to get into the Champions League in front of our fans. I have cried so much.
Managerial reaction
The defeat marks the second consecutive season Celtic has exited the Champions League in the qualifying playoffs, following a penalty shootout loss to Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan 12 months earlier. O'Neill has overseen more than 300 games as Celtic manager and placed the result among the most disappointing of his career, ahead of the 2003 UEFA Cup final defeat. Speaking after the final whistle, the 74-year-old coach accepted responsibility for the performance.
We should have been out of sight by half-time. We scored a goal, which was great, we missed two great, great opportunities. And then we give them a lifeline just before half-time and then one just after it. And they come roaring back. And obviously we conceded, from our viewpoint, not good goals at all. But that's my team and that's my responsibility.
McGregor echoed those sentiments when addressing the squad's inability to protect the four-goal lead in Austria. The Celtic captain stated that the team became passive and conceded that the players offered no excuses for the defeat.
We got what we deserved. We were passive all night. We looked scared to go and win the game, and when you are 3-0 up it's psychological. We have to suck it up, apologise to the supporters and the club because there is no way that we should lose that game.
Financial and European consequences
Elimination from the playoff round transfers Celtic into the Europa League and results in a loss of at least £20 million in revenue. The result follows an offseason transfer window in which Celtic spent nearly £30 million on squad additions, including a club-record fee of £11 million for forward Kasper Hogh. In contrast, advancing to the Champions League league phase secures an initial payment of more than €18 million for LASK. The Austrian club enters the tournament draw on Thursday in Monaco alongside other qualifying playoff winners, including Azerbaijani champion FK Sabah and Norwegian champion Bodo/Glimt.
