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Celtic logo
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 14, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Valencia logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Cheryshev (42'), Sobrino (49')

Rodgers relishing 'wonderful challenge' of facing Valencia

Rodgers relishing 'wonderful challenge' of facing Valencia
© Reuters
The Scottish champions face the LaLiga side in the last 32 of the Europa League.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is looking forward to the "wonderful challenge" of facing Valencia.

The Hoops host the Spanish side in the first leg of the Europa League last-32 tie at what is sure to be a packed Parkhead.

The Northern Irishman is excited by the prospect of the encounter and is encouraging his players to be confident.

He said: "As you would expect from a team that has lost only four (league) games this season in a fantastic league, they are a very good side.

"They are historically one of the big clubs in Spanish football.

"They play a 4-4-2 system, with good movement – a very fast team especially when they turn over the ball and we will anticipate a really tough game. But it is a wonderful challenge for us.

"We play against these good teams but I reinforce to the team, we are also a good team, that's why we are in this stage of the competition having got out of a really tough group.

"So it should be an amazing evening with the support and the atmosphere generated and it is up to us to generate that for the supporters.

"So yes, it is a big challenge but one we will embrace."

Celtic have won all seven games since the turn of the year, scoring 21 goals and conceding none which adds to Rodgers' belief.

He said: "We got into it in a really high level in terms of how we have been playing and in terms of confidence.

"This is a different challenge for us but we couldn't have arrived into it in a better moment."

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers pictured on December 29, 2018
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

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Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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