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Paulo Bernardo: Celtic Must Play Every Game Like a Final in the Champions League

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Paulo Bernardo has praised the unity and resilience Celtic showed in their goalless draw against Atalanta, a performance that marked a strong response following the tough 7-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund.

Celtic Players and Paulo Bernardo
Soccer Football – Champions League – Atalanta v Celtic – Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy – October 23, 2024 Celtic’s Paulo Bernardo shakes hands with Celtic’s Alistair Johnston after the match REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

Speaking after the Champions League clash in Bergamo, Bernardo expressed how Celtic’s collective spirit and adaptability allowed them to rebound from the Dortmund defeat and demonstrate their growth on the European stage.

Reflecting on the Dortmund loss, Bernardo described it as a critical learning moment that exposed the realities and demands of Champions League football.

“The Game that we played against Dortmund, we had a lot to learn,” he told STV.

“I think we did that and we had a great response. Our togetherness on the pitch showed that and we need to stick together every Game like this.

“It was important against Dortmund to open our eyes to the reality of the Champions League.

Bernardo believes that treating every match with a “final” mentality will be crucial as Celtic move forward in their Champions League campaign.

“We needed to respond. The Game against Dortmund was really hard for us. But we have to play every week and in midweek every time. We need to be prepared for these Games and I think we did a great job.

“We need to focus on that and play each Game like it’s a final for us. We need to show our mentality like we did this Game.

“A point away is always good. Now we need to focus already on the next one.”

Up next for Celtic in the Champions League are RB Leipzig, with the Germans Travelling to Glasgow looking for their first points of the league phase.

They’ve lost three on the bounce, with Liverpool, Juventus and Atletico Madrid all beating the side.

They’ll also be without star player Xavi Simons, who’s sidelined for the rest of 2024.

It will be a great opportunity for Celtic to get a point or three on the board, with Celtic aiming for ten points in this league phase. It’s thought that hitting double-figure points will certainly see Celtic make the knockout phase.

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