RB Leipzig midfielder Kevin Kampl admitted Celtic’s relentless pressing made their Champions League clash feel like a marathon as the Bundesliga side were swept aside on a memorable night at Parkhead.
Celtic delivered one of their finest European performances, recovering from an early setback to stun Marco Rose’s team with a ferocious comeback.
The Scottish champions overturned a one-goal deficit to secure a resounding victory, leaving Leipzig shell-shocked. Slovenian international Kampl was quick to praise Celtic’s intensity and composure.
He said: “We tried to press Celtic high up the park, but they always had an answer to us. They didn’t allow themselves to be dispossessed and kept the ball.
“We were always a step too late against them and we had to run all night. It actually felt like we were continuously running all game like we were in a marathon. There was nothing more we could do about it in the second half. We have to be honest about it.
“It took us five minutes or so to deal with the atmosphere and I thought we had it under control until they equalised.
“The double blow before half time brought us back to earth and then of course, the atmosphere came back. Celtic didn’t panic when they were behind. I have to say I was very impressed by them.”
Leipzig striker Christoph Baumgartner also acknowledged Celtic’s superiority on the night and admitted his side had only themselves to blame for some of their defensive lapses.
He said: “After they equalised, Celtic were definitely the better team. Many of their big chances were our own fault, especially the equaliser, when we allowed Nicolas Kuhn to go on his left foot and shoot. Celtic were well organised and put us in trouble when we played it out from the back.
“We were missing something against Celtic and against Borussia Dortmund. Everyone needs to look in the mirror and ask themselves whether that was enough.”
The result leaves Leipzig’s Champions League hopes in tatters, while Celtic can take heart from a performance that demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level.