Engels Ready for Familiar Foe Openda as Celtic Face Leipzig in Champions League
“We studied at the same boarding school in Brugge. It’s really amazing to see how far he’s come—he’s an incredible player. We’ll need to watch out for him, but every player at Leipzig is top quality.”
05 NOV
Celtic midfielder Arne Engels is preparing for a challenging Champions League clash against RB Leipzig, with special attention on his compatriot Lois Openda. Despite Leipzig’s tough start in Europe—losing all three of their group matches to Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Liverpool—the German side remains a formidable opponent, currently second in the Bundesliga.
Set to lead the Leipzig attack, Openda is a familiar figure to Engels. The two share a connection from their days at Club Brugge’s youth setup and later as teammates in the Belgian national team. Reflecting on their shared history, Engels said:
Leipzig’s Struggles in Europe, Strengths Domestically
RB Leipzig might be struggling in the Champions League group stage, but their Bundesliga form speaks volumes about their capability. With Openda contributing five goals in nine league matches, they remain a strong offensive threat. Leipzig's coach Marco Rose will be eager to capitalize on their domestic momentum to turn around their European campaign.
Engels acknowledged the challenge posed by Leipzig, emphasizing the depth and quality of their squad:
“It’s not just about Openda. Every player in Leipzig’s lineup is there for a reason—they’re all very talented.”
Engels' Journey and Maturity
Engels, a summer arrival at Celtic from Augsburg, has adapted quickly to life in Scotland. Having experienced early independence through boarding school and stints abroad, the 21-year-old believes those formative years shaped his character.
“When you’re away from home, you mature quickly. Boarding school and moving to Germany at a young age prepared me for this. It was difficult at first, but it’s all about focusing on football,” he said.
Engels also praised the camaraderie within the Celtic squad, noting how the supportive environment has eased his transition:
“It’s a great group here. Everyone is friendly, and there are no cliques. I felt a warm welcome from the start, and it already feels like home.”
What to Expect
Celtic will be keen to take advantage of Leipzig’s struggles in Europe to bolster their own campaign. With Engels in midfield and the team’s collective spirit, the Scottish champions are ready to battle Leipzig’s attacking firepower, led by Openda.
The match at Celtic Park promises to be a test of resilience for both sides, with Leipzig seeking to revive their Champions League hopes and Celtic aiming to build on their positive start to the campaign.
