UEFA Europa League
Round of 32, first leg
Telia Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
Thursday, February 20, 2020

FC COPENHAGEN… 1
(N’Doye 52)

CELTIC… 1
(Edouard 14)

NEIL Lennon’s side battled for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last 32 tie against FC Copenhagen. Odsonne Edouard scored a vital away goal for the Hoops, who created plenty of chances, particularly in a first half they dominated.

The home side were a much stronger proposition after the break, and grabbed an equaliser through Dame N’Doye, and they could even have snatched a winner when a VAR decision penalised Ryan Christie for a handball, giving Copenhagen a spot-kick.

But Fraser Forster proved to be the hero for the Hoops, pushing Jens Stage’s effort on to the post before the ball was cleared.

Even before Odsonne Edouard had opened the scoring in the 14th minute, he’d already had two superb chances in the first four minutes to grab an all-important away goal. Indeed, only the heroics of Karl-Johan Johnsson in the Copenhagen goal denied the French striker a goal inside the opening 30 seconds of the match.

It was Johnsson who came to his side’s rescue again in the fourth minute to block Edouard’s initial effort and then Ntcham’s follow-up shot. It was an impressive start for Neil Lennon’s side, and they continued to look dangerous every time they attacked.

And on 14 minutes, they got their reward with a wonderful goal. Ryan Christie cut inside from the right and threaded a ball along the 18-yard line for Callum McGregor who, in turn, slotted the ball into the path of Edouard, and the Frenchman coolly chipped the ball over the Copenhagen keeper with his left foot to give his side the lead.

Celtic were defending resolutely at the back, although the home side rarely threatened Fraser Forster’s goal in the opening 45 minutes. Bryan Oviedo’s curling effort from inside the area was their best chance, but it curled wide of the left-hand post.

If Celtic had clearly dominated the first-half, FC Copenhagen were the stronger side after the break, though the Hoops still managed to fashion a few good chances. However, Johnsson continued to deny Neil Lennon’s side a second goal on the night.

On 52 minutes, FC Copenhagen grabbed an equaliser. Olivier Ntcham was dispossessed some 25 yards from goal, and the ball was threaded through to N’Doye who fired off a shot that went in off Forster’s right-hand post.

Six minutes later, the Hoops hit the home side on the counter-attack. Callum McGregor surged towards the edge of the box, opting to shot rather than play the ball to Edouard, but his sot went high and wide. And just four minutes later, Christopher Jullien, who was superb at the back for Celtic, almost connected with a Christie cross to the far post.

Celtic came even closer on 71 minutes following a great move down the left wing. Edouard connected with Jonny Hayes’ cross, but Johnsson blocked the effort.

Then came the moment of VAR controversy. A corner into the Celtic penalty area was headed on by a Copenhagen player, accidentally striking Christie’s arm, and after reviewing the incident at the side of the pitch, the Russian referee awarded the Danish side a penalty.

But Fraser Forster once again proved to be a spot-kick hero for the Hoops, getting a touch on Stage’s effort, with the ball hitting the post and staying out.

Copenhagen continued to push forward in search of a winner, but it was James Forrest who almost grabbed a goal for Celtic, though his effort from a tight angle was saved by the impressive Johnsson.

The tie is now finely poised ahead on next Thursday’s second leg at Paradise, though the Hoops have the advantage of an away goal, which could prove crucial.

CELTIC: Forster, Frimpong, Jullien, Ajer, Hayes; Brown (Bitton 73), Ntcham (Elyounoussi 60), McGregor; Christie, Edouard, Forrest.
Subs: Bain, Simunovic, Bayo, Rogic, Bolingoli

FC COPENHAGEN: Johnsson, Varela, Stage, Zeca, N’Doye, Pep Biel, Santos (Kaufmann 73), Oviedo (Bengtsson 73), Nelsson, Sigurdsson (Papagiannopoulos 86), Falk.
Subs: Grytebust, Thomsen, Daramy, Bartolec,

Man of the Match: Christopher Jullien

Edouard grabs vital away goal as Celts draw in Copenhagen