Europa League
Last 32, Second Leg
Thursday, February, 27, 2020
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC…1
(Edouard 83)

COPENHAGEN…3
(Santos 51, Biel 85, N’Doye 87)

FC Copenhagen win the tie 4-2 on aggregate

CELTIC’S European campaign came to a conclusion at Paradise after the Hoops lost 3-1 to FC Copenhagen in the second leg of their Europa League last 32 tie, to go out 4-2 on aggregate.

The visitors went ahead early in the second half through Michael Santos. Odsonne Edouard levelled from the penalty spot late on but Copenhagen responded with two quick goals from Pep Biel and Dame N’Doye.

It took Celtic around 10 minutes to find their footing in the game after Copenhagen’s sprightly start. The visitors pressed high up the pitch and held on to possession inside Celtic’s half but they were unable to create any real opportunities.

The Scottish champions eventually settled and began opening the Copenhagen defence with some good attacking football. The first chance saw Kristoffer Ajer with a window at goal and he shot from a tight angle inside the penalty area, but Copenhagen captain Carlos Zeca slid in to make the crucial block.

Celtic were productive in attack down the left wing and created some good chances from crosses into the box. Elyounoussi tried to pick out James Forrest’s run in towards the back post. He lifted the ball over the defence, but it was just out of reach and Forrest couldn’t connect.

With the attacking momentum behind them, Celtic continued to threaten for the remainder of the first half but the visitors sporadically threatened on the counter-attack with pace and numbers getting forward.

Celtic’s best goal scoring opportunity fell to Elyounoussi after Tom Rogic’s cutback wasn’t properly cleared away. Elyounoussi reacted quickly inside the box and struck it first time but he couldn’t keep his effort down.

Celtic upped the pressure as half-time approached with a flurry of chances. The best came right at the break when Rogic picked out Edouard who headed the ball down and into the keeper’s hands.

Callum McGregor had a goal disallowed shortly after the restart. He found the back of the net with a half-volley from the edge of the area but the referee signalled for a foul inside the penalty area.

The visitors grabbed the lead a minute later when Simunovic’s passback was intercepted by Michael Santos. Jullien cut out the Uruguayan’s initial cutback but he followed up on the rebound to give his side the lead.

Copenhagen grew in confidence following the goal and worked hard to try and unsettle Celtic. The Hoops regained their composure and began getting the ball forward again in search of an equaliser.

Neil Lennon brought Leigh Griffiths on with 20 minutes remaining and the striker came agonisingly close to scoring within minutes. A series of chances were blocked inside the box before the ball fell to Griffiths on the edge of the six-yard box. He tried to steer it over the line but a grounded Karl-Johan Johnsson stuck up a hand to make a stunning save.

With just under 10 minutes remaining, VAR came into play when a potential handball inside the Copenhagen box stopped play. After a review at the side of the pitch, the referee pointed to the spot and Edouard finished coolly to make it 1-1.

The celebrations were short-lived, though. Copenhagen caught Celtic cold and Biel slid the ball under Fraser Forster to finish off a quick counter-attack. The Danish champions scored a third two minutes later when N’Doye weaved through the Celtic defence and tucked the ball into the bottom corner.

CELTIC: Forster, Ajer, Jullien, Simunovic, Taylor, Brown, McGregor, Forrest, Rogic, Elyounoussi (Griffiths 70), Edouard.
Subs: Bain, Bitton, Bayo, Hayes, Bolingoli, Frimpong

COPENHAGEN: Johnsson, Varela, Nelsson, R Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Biel, Stage, Gonçalves Rodrigues, Falk Jensen, Kaufmann (Santos 44- Daramy 87)), N'Doye
Subs: Bjelland, Thomsen, Grytebust, Bartolec, Oviedo

Celtic's Europa League journey ends after defeat to FC Copenhagen