Europa League: Celtic European woes continue, Bournemouth claim famous Milan win
Celta Vigo's Javi Rodriguez celebrates. Pic: Andrew Milligan/Press Association.
Celtic suffered more Europa League pain as Spanish side Celta Vigo came from behind to win 2-1 at Parkhead.
After defeats by Ferencvaros and Benfica in their first two league phase fixtures, Martin O’Neill’s side struggled to impose themselves on the visitors who were neat and tidy without really testing Hoops keeper Sam Johnstone.
Germany midfielder Mika Baur fired the home side in front just over a minute into the second half to thrill the Celtic fans but Spain defender Javi Rodriguez scored twice in three minutes – a header then an unstoppable drive – to stun the home side who could not find a way back.
It was another damaging Euro night for the Scottish champions, knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by LASK on a 5-4 aggregate after being 4-0 up at one stage earlier in the season.
Celtic, four points clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the William Hill Premiership, face Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday but while they continue to thrive domestically, European football remains a tougher terrain.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth scaled giddy new heights in their debut Europa League campaign as 10-man AC Milan were convincingly brushed aside 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium.
The Italian giants, champions of Serie A only four years ago, were wretched, unable to match Marco Rose’s team who pressed them ruthlessly and attacked breathlessly in torrential conditions on the south coast.
The first two goals were penalties scored in the first half, by Justin Kluivert then by Marcus Tavernier, before Amine Adli added a magnificent late free-kick, but the home side ought to have had even more to show for their dominance.
Mike Maignan, the Milan goalkeeper and captain, let his team and his manager Ruben Amorim down badly and inexplicably, swiping at the face of James Hill at a corner, conceding a spot-kick and leaving his side to play for more than an hour with 10 players.
Bournemouth have looked perfectly at home on their maiden European adventure but, even so, this fixture had an almost surreal sound to it, the seven-time champions of Europe taking a hammering on a pitch that was hosting League Two football as recently as 2010.
“How did we end up here?” read a huge tifo unfurled in the North Stand before kick-off, but Bournemouth’s display suggested this might be just the beginning for them in Europe.
Elsewhere, Sunderland remain unbeaten in the Europa League thanks to a 1-1 draw against Lech Poznan at the Enea Stadion.
A thrilling opening saw the Black Cats go in front only two minutes in through Timur Tutierov, who was making just his third competitive start since arriving at Sunderland’s academy in 2023.
The visitors had opportunities to extend their lead when Malick Fofana hit the post and Nordi Mukiele forced a strong save from Mateusz Liz, but Lech responded in the 70th minute through substitute Leo Bengtsson’s low strike.
A point keeps Sunderland unbeaten in Europe this season but ends their winning start, which saw them claim back-to-back victories over AZ Alkmaar and Torreense.
Brighton drew a rare blank as they were held to a goalless draw by Czech minnows Jablonec in the Conference League.
The Premier League’s top scorers, who have scored 23 goals across their first seven matches, misfired badly in the foothills of the Jizera Mountains in northern Czechia.
Jablonec coach Lubos Kozel had said his side would need a “miracle” to get anything from the match.
It turned out they only needed a below-par display from the favourites to lift the trophy to take a point, and in fact they could have had all three.
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